Programs – Volta Music Foundation

After School Program

Supply Drive Initiative

Masterclass Series

Latin American
Exchange

After School Program

Volta Music Foundation grants access to additional music education and resources for students in elementary schools in South Florida schools, including Broward and Palm Beach schools, under Title I administration. These students are from low-income populations, and a significant majority (90%) are people of color and members of minority groups that have been historically excluded from or not actively engaged by established arts programs available in the country or even the state.

Volta opens its doors to students of all abilities, backgrounds, and upbringings. Some of the students that join Volta’s After-School classes are youth at risk or living with disabilities (Hard of Hearing). Volta makes it possible for these students to connect and build community through music experiences that allow them to have an outlet for expression and creativity while simultaneously highlighting their artistic skills.

Students enrolled in the After-School program participate in group instrument lessons and learn music history and theory to support their learning of their instrument. Volta provides:

Accessible music education for students in Title I administration schools through out-of-school programs,
Music materials, instruments, and tools to ensure the success of students’ music skill development.
Accessible, community-focused educational performances and concerts for students to showcase their artistry and self-expression.

All Volta teachers receive training in social-emotional, creative youth development, and trauma-sensitive methods for classroom management and instructions to best serve our students.

Enroll in Volta's After-School Program Learn more about our teachers

Click to learn more about our Curriculum

The repertoire draws on the principles of the Suzuki method, which uses a common set of solo music for skill development, and progresses in a step-by-step manner so that students are engaged but not overwhelmed by new skills. We are constantly reviewing pieces and use a lot of game-based learning to keep teaching fun and exciting. The songs themselves draw on countries around the world, with an emphasis on performing the works of minority and women composers.

In addition to skill-building in the instrument, students will study music theory and history, to truly understand where music comes from, how it works, and how it applies to their instrument. We are using Music Mind games for our music theory curriculum, which is a game-based music theory program that allows students to experience a new concept in a playful way. Students also work on music composition, so they can develop the tools to express themselves. Our music history program explores the development of music through the ages, in the context of world history, art, and architecture. It is designed to help students think critically and explore themselves.

Learn more about our Teacher Training Program

As educators for the Volta Music Foundation, teachers receive individual in-depth training on the repertoire sequence and how to teach it, as well as sessions throughout the term to review lesson plans and student progress. Teachers also meet as a team to receive seminars on social-emotional learning, neuroscience, and best teaching practices. These group sessions are designed to be interactive and build a sense of community. Teachers receive group and one-on-one training and support, to help them craft meaningful lesson plans, develop positive classroom management strategies, and get first-hand experience with working with students of varying abilities and backgrounds in a group setting. Teachers are provided with repertoire and exercises and encouraged to develop their own methods for delivering the materials that are engaging and developmentally appropriate. Our team also meets regularly to receive seminars on social-emotional learning, neuroscience, best teaching practices, and Diversity Equity and Inclusion.

Master Class Series

Volta Music Foundation’s Masterclass Series gives promising Latin American music students the opportunity to learn from performing teaching artists in the United States. During this series, Masterclass Guest Teachers help participating music students prepare for university and performance auditions by allowing them to receive critical feedback on their techniques. Masterclasses are free and conducted in English and Spanish.

Volta understands the need to close barriers between Latinx students and students with lower resources and wishes to bring them closer to musicians around the Globe. The masterclass series serves as a connector and mediator for music education in the Latin American community.

Masterclasses are free and conducted in Spanish and English. Each class can admit 2-4 students to perform for 30 minutes each. They only require online registration for participation as an audience member or performer.

Latin American Exchange Program

The Latin American Exchange Program provides promising young musicians with cultural exchange and study-abroad opportunities. Talented professors from universities and conservatories travel to schools in Latin America to host free masterclasses, workshops, and group lessons. Additionally, Volta prepares and facilitates study-abroad opportunities for Latin American Students in the United States.

Volta has sponsored Latin American students to further their education in the United States’ Conservatories of Music and universities. In doing so, we have served students as mentors through application, audition and visa processing.

These students have also been interns in other Volta programs allowing them to give back to the community and help other students in their development.

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Supply Drive Initiative

Volta’s Supply Drive Initiative was created with the goal of delivering much-needed music supplies to students in underserved communities in the United States and Latin America.

We collaborate with musicians, symphony orchestras, conservatories, violin shops, and music stores to collect lightly used musical instruments and materials that are donated to students in need.

Volta strives on providing free instruments and music learning opportunities to underserved communities. Our goal is to continue our Supply Drive Initiative Program to ensure more students receive the gift of a musical instrument.

Have an old instrument?

Let us share it with a child who can use it to discover their own musical voice.

We accept donations of: