The 10th Anniversary Benefit Concert Recap!

On a night filled with music, memories, and milestones, the 2025 SOUNDS Academy Benefit Concert marked an unforgettable chapter in our journey. As we celebrated our 10th anniversary, the evening showcased everything that makes SOUNDS Academy special: community, creativity, and a deep commitment to empowering young musicians. The 2025 Benefit Concert was by far SOUNDS Academy’s biggest event yet, and we want to extend our deepest gratitude to every donor, student, teacher, parent, and volunteer who helped us make the night possible. Here’s what one parent and volunteer, Jiyoung Kim, had to say about the night: “I truly appreciated being a part of the SOUNDS Academy family by watching the families that have grown together play together and express their happiness and gratitude to each other. We have all shown the importance and power of music education. I believe this growth has been achieved not through the efforts of one person, but through the efforts of all the members of the SOUNDS Academy. I look forward to the next 10 years!!”

We were thrilled to announce the launch of our Instruments for Change campaign at the Benefit Concert. This campaign aims to raise $500,000 to fund scholarships for seniors, scholarships for our summer camp, opportunities for students to attend music camps and be part of orchestras, and other needs for our programs. All of this is to help us reach our long-term goal of opening a Performing Arts Center to house our programs and continue to expand music education access in Arizona. If this campaign sounds like something you would be interesting in supporting, click HERE to donate!

One of the most moving parts of the evening was watching our students take the stage together. Through collaborative performances that spanned genres, they demonstrated the joy and connection that music inspires. It was a powerful reminder of the magic that happens when young artists come together.

One of our goals for the night was to make the SOUNDS Academy class of 2025 fell extra special. This year we had our biggest graduating class ever with 13 seniors, and we wanted to put together a special tribute in addition to giving out scholarships to a few of them. We showcased their experiences, hard work, and successes with a video tribute where we interviewed each senior. To watch the tribute, click HERE. Through this video, a heartfelt tribute was paid to our graduating seniors, whose talent, resilience, and passion have left an unforgettable mark on SOUNDS Academy. As they prepare to take their next steps, whether in music, education, or beyond, we are proud to call them part of the SOUNDS family, and we can’t wait to see where their paths lead.

One of our favorite Benefit Concert traditions is giving out the Teacher of the Year award. This year it had two  recipients, Taylor Simpson and Addison Hill, who both exemplify our mission to empower youth through music education and character values and go above and beyond every single day for our students.

Our SOUNDS Academy staff also had many positive things to say about the night. Program Manager Matthew Fox said, “This year’s Benefit Concert, was more than just a concert: it was a spectacle in all of the best ways! Our students worked incredibly hard this year, and seeing this all come to life on the big stage was truly a memorable experience that will shape SOUNDS Academy for the next 10 years and beyond! I had two favorite parts of the entire day. My first favorite was to see the excitement, joy, and thrill on our students’ faces as they were about to walk on stage. That feeling of adrenaline is so rare, and it creates such a core memory! My second favorite part was to have the opportunity to perform with our students. Typically being behind-the-scenes, it was great to be a part of the action and help out musically!”

The 2025 Benefit Concert was more than a celebration: it was a promise. A promise to continue breaking down barriers, uplifting voices, and creating opportunities for youth through music. Thank you to everyone who made this night possible: our performers, families, donors, and supporters. Together, we’re turning today’s musicians into tomorrow’s leaders, and we hope you will continue to support us for years to come!