Portland nonprofit offers sliding scale music classes, workshops and lessons for underserved youth.

For Immediate Release:

March 25, 2014 – Portland nonprofit, My Voice Music, launches sliding scale music classes, workshops, and lessons for youth from their brand-new performance and recording center at 931 SE 6th Portland, Ore 97214. Tuition fees help support underserved students who can’t afford them, creating a sustainable model that provides opportunities for students to learn new skills, focus on individual goals, and work in a group environment.

My Voice Music serves over 2,000 youth each year, providing “Music as Therapy” classes for groups at residential treatment centers, teaching music classes at alternative high schools, and facilitating after school music groups that promote personal growth as youth write songs, record and perform them.

“Music provides an opportunity for students to find their voice and learn new skills,” said Ian Mouser, executive director and founder of My Voice Music and 2011 recipient of the Willamette Week GuiveGuide! Skidmore Prize. “Our new space allows us the opportunity to provide additional classes for youth in Portland and is a transformative step forward for the organization.”

The nonprofit will host an open house on April 3rd from 5-8pm for the community drop-in and learn about the new performance and recording center. Students and staff from the organization will perform, you can learn about classes and programs offered by the organization and light food and beverages will be provided.

Parents, youth and community organizations can learn more about My Voice Music at www.myvoicemusic.org. Upcoming classes and opportunities include:

March 24-28: Spring Break Rock Camp
My Voice Music kicks off a Spring Break Rock Camp at the new center. 15 campers ages 10-14 will learn to play instruments, work together as a band, and write their own music. All positions are currently sold out, but stay tuned for future camps.

April 14: Classes Start
My Voice Music provides a diverse set of musical workshops available to students in the area. Contact My Voice Music at info@myvoicemusic.org or call (503) 481-4128 to learn more and sign up.

• Hip Hop 101: Freestyle rap, beat making

• Rock Band

• Songwriting

• The Healing Power of Songwriting

• Toddler Music Hour

• Artist Mentorship

• Mixing and Engineering

• Afro-Cuban Congo Drumming

• Group and individual lessons in guitar, drums, keyboards, and ukulele.

• The recording studio is also available for rental with an MVM staff engineer.

About My Voice Music
My Voice Music is a nonprofit organization that engages youth in music and performance in order to promote self-esteem, social skills and emotional expression. Founded in 2008 in Portland, Ore, we has partner with local human services and education organizations to reach youth through collaborative music programs such as:

• Music as Therapy: Albertina Kerr, Youth Villages, and Morrison Child and Family.

•  In-School: Right Brain Initiative, Mt. Scott Learning Center, Arts and Technology High School, Open Meadow High School, and Ackerman Academy.

• After-School: Caldera Arts, SUN School, p:ear, Friends of the Children, and SMYRC.

Contact
info@myvoicemusic.org, (971) 533 – 8953, 931 SE 6th Ave Portland, OR 97214, www.myvoicemusic.org

Press Photos
www.dropbox.com/sh/kto8go63rj7lt9s/zLlBNGol2A

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