Why start a non-profit?
Shortly after opening the first brick and mortar location, Mason Music had a desire to give back to the community. Whether through offering free lessons to families in financial crisis, teaching families with special needs or volunteering at after school programs in Woodlawn, Mason Music had a heart for serving through music education.
What then?
In 2016, these various efforts were brought into one unified program as the mission crystallized: to empower, inspire and enrich the lives of children in Birmingham through music education. Mason Music Foundation was granted 501(c)3 status as a non-profit organization and our official work began!
After operating in various rented facilities for 7 years and surviving Covid and zoom lessons, Mason Music Foundation opened its doors in a brand new beautifully renovated facility inside Woodlawn Theatre. In 2023, Mason Music Woodlawn was born. This new facility provides room to grow to serve up to 200 students each week in private lessons.
How does music education help?
Mountains of research support the notion that music education has a positive impact on early childhood development through benefits in social-emotional development, motivation, self-discipline, confidence, expression, fine motor skills and more. In just about every way that matters, music education improves the chances of a child’s long term success in life.
How can I help?
Because a child’s connection to their mentors is essential to long term growth and development of musical abilities, Mason Music Foundation operates sustainable programming by paying market rate to its dedicated teaching staff. Lessons are subsidized by tuition assistance based on a sliding scale related to a family’s size and income level. Mason Music Foundation raises money to provide tuition assistance to families who qualify. To learn more about Mason Music Foundation and how you can get involved, visit www.masonmusicfoundation.org