VIA’s Impact

VIA Academy was started with the belief that anyone is capable of achieving excellence, especially when equipped with a strategy tailored specifically to the individual. We carry this belief every summer we welcome our students to the VIA program. And, our students have already begun to prove our beliefs to be true. We are looking towards the future of music education and unlocking human potential for those that need it the most.

Since starting our first season in the Summer of June 2020, we have already impacted nearly 300 young aspiring musicians from remote and underrepresented communities in classical music, many of whom took their first steps in realizing a future life in music at our VIA Academy summer program. These young students attended VIA Academy from across the globe, including 37 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Serbia, Guatemala, Bolivia, and Chile. Every year our VIA family grows a little larger alongside our mission.

Summer 2024

VIA Academy’s 2024 Summer Program was a significant feat and undertaking for the development of our educational programming. VIA embarked on 5th year with our two week hybrid program at our third Miami residency at the New World Symphony. This summer's program continued to show evidence that our unique curriculum truly makes a difference in our students' future lives. See below for more specific data on overall impact:

This summer's hybrid structure allowed us to expand our educational offerings on multiple levels, including chamber music, private lessons, entrepreneurial skills, and further individual development 1-on-1 with our Teaching Artist faculty. Below is a breakdown of hours spent in the program per student:

20

Hours working 1-on-1 with their Teaching Artist. This time included lessons and mentorship on crafting future goals for their lives in music.

12

Hours spent learning entrepreneurial skills, how to find support, networking skills, college preparation, and health & wellness.

8

Hours in rehearsals and coachings for their chamber music groups.

2

Masterclasses led by Maestro Carlos Miguel Prieto and Michael Linville, which all students were given the opportunity to perform either solo or chamber music.

1

Performance of at least two different chamber music works to showcase the the students' work and progress throughout the summer.

ALL STUDENTS built entire community projects that can be implemented in their own communities - with budgets, an action plan, and measures for success.

Student Survey Data

The results from our student surveys are a testament to the efficacy of our educational programming, curriculum, and overall ability to achieve our mission. Across the board in our survey results, our participants experienced overwhelmingly positive growth and confidence in achieving their goals long-term, having the necessary tools to reach their aspirations, and being connected to a larger support network. With select results from the surveys below, we look forward to build upon our mission and continue to shape our program in the best possible way for our students' long-term success.

  • Our students reported a 43% increase (to 100% overall) in feeling connected to the musical world outside of where they live and go to school by the end of the program.

  • Our students reported a 29% increase (to 100% overall) in understanding of career paths open to musicians by the end of the program.

  • 100% of our students reported that the VIA Academy curriculum allowed them to feel more prepared to achieve their goals, including clearer goals.

  • 100% of our students reported that the VIA Academy curriculum allowed them to gain the necessary tools to help achieve their goals as musicians.

  • 100% of our students reported that each aspect of the VIA Academy curriculum was effective in preparing them to achieve their goals. This includes the private lessons, warm-up sessions, mentoring sessions, community project coachings, guest artist classes, instrumental sectionals, chamber coachings, and side-by-side chamber music performances with teaching artists.

Community Project Proposals

During our VIA Academy 2024 Summer Program, we continued a new aspect of our educational programming called Community Project Proposals. Through these proposals, each student had to identify their own passions and how that could fulfill a need within their own communities. Our students consistently inspired us with their ideas and projects this summer. We picked one of the students' Community Project Proposals to fund with a $500 award in order to put into motion their own musical impact within the communities they are a part of. The winner of the funding also receives continued mentorship from VIA Academy Teaching Artists and Staff in the development and completion of their projects.

Music Transportation Initiative: (Yliana Perez, VIA Student 2022 Winner)
The goal of the Music Transportation Initiative is to raise awareness and funding for the lack of access young music students have getting to and from music education programs in Miami, Florida. Many young music students who wish to participate in music education programs across Miami are not able to transport themselves outside of their communities due to family, financial, or other circumstances. In order to create more learning opportunities for aspiring musicians, the Music Transportation Initiative will hold a benefit concert to raise transportation funding for those that need it most.

Black Arts Showcase: (Jeriah Howard, VIA Student 2023 Winner)
The goal of the Black Arts Showcase Initiative is to raise awareness and funding for a student-run organization called Black Arts that celebrates black art, culture, and musicians in the Jacksonville, Florida community. Jeriah, being the band leader of the organization, the initiative will organize a showcase performance featuring various jazz ensembles performing to raise money for the Black Arts organization.

Music for Adoption: (Jonathan Melton, VIA Student 2024 Winner)
The Music for Adoption initiative is inspired by Jonathan’s personal journey. Adopted as an infant from Vietnam, Jonathan has never met his birth parents and finds connection with other adoptees through regular discussions facilitated by adoption agencies. He aims to harness the unique community-building power of music to create a concert experience tailored specifically for adoptees, where they can engage, share, and celebrate their lives and backgrounds. The concert will feature performances of music and narratives inspired by or composed by adopted artists. Additionally, the event will include activities designed to highlight and humanize the shared experiences of both domestic and international adoptees.

Support Our Students

VIA Academy is a completely free program for students and their families, and that is all made possible by incredibly generous people like you. Join us in our impact by making a contribution today. VIA Academy offers each student a support network of top professionals in the arts beyond the length of our summer program through virtual learning to ensure each student's continued success. Your contribution will give young aspiring musicians an experience that immediately impacts their lives by making their future aspirations achievable through our program. Together with your support, we will provide our students the power to illustrate that their dreams are attainable—despite geographic location or background.