Events

On this evening, SOUNDS Academy students will perform for members of the Phoenix Symphony and receive feedback in front of a live audience. Shortly after, those students will perform in a lobby performance for guests as the enter Symphony Hall. If you are in attendance for the concert, please stop by to see some of the outstanding students of SOUNDS Academy perform!  

The Master Class and Lobby Performance  is scheduled to take place at Symphony Hall inside the Phoenix Convention Center on Saturday, March 25th, 2023 at 6:45 PM (The Master Class) and 7:30 PM (The Lobby Performance).

If you would like to attend, please send an email to info@soundsacademy.org

Help us congratulate the 1st place winner of the 63rd annual Young Musicians Competition! SOUNDS Academy Student, Abraham Kim, s the first to be ever awarded the Jean and Robert Frankenberger Grand Prize. Abraham will be the featured soloist for the Side-by-Side Concert with Phoenix Symphony and Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestra!

The Side-by-Side Concert is scheduled to take place at Symphony Hall inside the Phoenix Convention Center on Wednesday, April 19th, 2023 at 7:30 PM.

If you would like to attend, please send an email to info@soundsacademy.org

The Benefit Concert is a fundraising event that looks at the past, present, and future of SOUNDS Academy. On May 20th, SOUNDS Academy will present The 2023 Benefit Concert at 2:00pm at the historic Memorial Hall at Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix, Arizona. Reception to follow.  This concert will celebrate the impact of our programs and celebrate the successes of our students, teachers, and SOUNDS Academy Family. Guests will listen to speakers and performances that will include our students and local guest artists.

Additionally, guests will be able to bid on Silent Auction items and donate in order to support music education for underserved communities. 100% of the proceeds from this concert will go towards spreading music education opportunities for children in Title-1 Schools and lower income neighborhoods.

If you too believe that the zip code of a child should not dictate their access to music education, please join us to learn how you can help to make a difference.

When: May 20, 2023 at 2:00pm
Where: Memorial Hall at Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85012

SOLD OUT!  Make a donation:  HERE

On October 22nd at 5:30PM, you are cordially invited to join us for an elegant and fun evening of hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and music. During the evening you will learn about SOUNDS Academy, the impact of our programs, and ways that you can help to spread music education opportunities in underserved areas of State 48.

You will also hear wonderful selections from our students and other selected SOUNDS Academy ensembles. 100% of the proceeds will be used to sustain music education opportunities for underserved youth in the Phoenix Metropolitan area in providing instruction, instruments, sheet music, accessories and scholarships for students.

In authentic speakeasy fashion, guests are invited (but not required) to dress up in 20’s jazzy attire. Additionally, the unique secret location will only be revealed to registered guests.  Shhh…please don’t reveal it.

When: October 22, 2022 from 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Where: Central Phoenix Area (Specific location disclosed after registration.  After purchasing your tickets, check your physical mailbox for the “golden” envelope containing the address and password to enter.)

Tickets:
$50; General Admission (includes 2 drink tickets)
$100; VIP Admission (includes 4 drink tickets and masquerade mask)

If you won’t be able to join us for the event but would still like to support this great cause, please consider making a donation on the event page by clicking HERE.  Thank you for supporting access to quality music education in Arizona!

We are excited to celebrate our successful first Summer Camp by attending a concert from our diligent students.! CLICK HERE to register. There are limited spots available so register now so that you can make sure you don’t miss out!

From May 7th to May 13th, SOUNDS Academy students will be showcasing their progress on various stages in the community. Please attend one of our free End of Year Concerts in a location near you!

Concert Day 1: Saturday, May 7th at SOUNDS Academy Central Phoenix (3738 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016) at 12:00pm, 1:30pm, and 3:00pm

Concert Day 2: Thursday, May 12th at Mesa Arts Center, Piper Theater (1 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201) at 6:00pm

Concert Day 3: Friday, May 13th at Estrella Mountain Community College (3000 N. Dysart Rd, Avondale, AZ 85392) at 5:00pm and 6:30pm

CLICK HERE to view programs, photos,  and Live Streams.

The Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix, in partnership with First United Methodist Church of Phoenix, is presenting a free concert to benefit SOUNDS Academy Sunday, March 27th at 3:00pm.

This concert is free and open to the public. However, a freewill offering will be taken and all proceeds will benefit SOUNDS Academy, a non-profit music education organization that teaches, mentors, and provides musical experiences and opportunities for underserved youth.

Concert goers will get a preview of Orpheus’ spring concert series “Water in the Desert.” In addition, as a special treat, students from SOUNDS Academy will perform and there will be a short presentation by SOUNDS Academy regarding their programs.

Come out to listen to Orpheus and SOUNDS Academy while supporting music education!

From December 8th to December 11th, SOUNDS Academy students will be showcasing their progress on various stages in the community. Please attend one of our free End of Year Recitals in a location near you!

Recital 1: December 8th at Phoenix Zoo (455 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008) from 6:00pm – 7:15pm
Recital 2: December 10th at EMCC (3000 North Dysart Road, Avondale, AZ 85392) from 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Recital 3: December 11th at SOUNDS Academy (3738 N 16th St) from 12:00pm – 2:30pm

CLICK HERE to view programs, photos,  and Live Streams.

SOUNDS Academy will host an Open House to celebrate the opening of a new central Phoenix location.

The free event is open to the public and will be held on Friday, September 24th from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Phoenix Advantage Charter School (3738 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016). Light refreshments will be provided. Students and staff will lead guided tours which will include classrooms, practice rooms and lesson rooms, in addition to a new piano lab. Children can also try instruments during the Instrument Petting Zoo.

UPDATE:

Thank you to everyone who attended! Be sure to check out pictures of the event on the SOUNDS Academy Facebook Page.

Join us in commemoration of our 8th year as we celebrate our anniversary (September 8th, 2014). Join us at Seamus McCaffreys and hear the sounds of some of the great local bands of Arizona! This will be an evening of awesome music, prizes, and fun!

When: Sept 4th, 2021 at 6:30pm
Where: Seamus McCaffrey’s, 18 W Monroe St. Phoenix, AZ 85003

UPDATE:

The event was a blast! Be sure to check out photos from the event on the SOUNDS Academy Facebook Page.

Learn how to write your own song! In this camp, students will practice a different component of songwriting each day. The class will culminate with an informal share session where students can share their song or their songwriting process.  This camp will be held virtually for 4th – 7th graders and is free of charge.

July 19-23rd
10:30am – 12:00pm
Register before July 5th by clicking HERE.

Learn how to play more guitar techniques! In this camp, students will explore common guitar techniques through the use of popular guitar music. The class will culminate with an informal share session where students can play and discuss their favorite techniques from the week. This camp will be held virtually for 8th – 12th graders and is free of charge.

July 12-16th
10:30am – 12:00pm
Register before June 28th by clicking HERE.

SOUNDS Academy Tiny Performances features young artists performing on some of the historic and renown stages of Arizona! These intimate performances are recorded live and show the art & culture of The Valley.

Over the coming weeks we will be releasing virtual performances from our students that have been shown amazing RESILIENCE in 2020. Be sure to subscribe to SOUNDS Academy on YouTube and follow us on social media so you don’t miss any of the amazing videos!

View Tiny Performances by clicking HERE.

The Benefit Concert is a fundraising event that looks at the past, present, and future of SOUNDS Academy.
On May 22nd, SOUNDS Academy will virtually present The 2021 Benefit Concert at 1:00pm. This concert will celebrate the impact of our programs and celebrate the successes of our students, teachers, and SOUNDS Academy Family. Guests will listen to speakers and performances that will include our students and local guest artists.

Additionally, guests will be able to bid on Silent Auction Items and donate in order to support music education for underserved communities. 100% of the proceeds from this concert will go towards spreading music education opportunities for children in Title-1 Schools and lower income neighborhoods.

If you too believe that the zip code of a child should not dictate their access to music education, please join us to learn how you can help to make a difference.

When: May 22nd, 2021 at 1:00pm
Where: www.soundsacademy.org/thebenefitconcert

View The Benefit Concert by clicking HERE.

SOUNDS Academy, Rosie’s House, and Phoenix Conservatory of Music are collaborating to present a special concert during the Herberger Theater Performance Discoveries Series.

The outdoor family friendly concert will begin at 5pm on Thursday, April 15th at The Herberger Theater’s Pavilion stage (222 E Monroe St. Phoenix, AZ 85004). The free performance will feature students from each program performing a variety of musical styles. This concert will follow social distancing guidelines.

This performance will be an opportunity to see some of the most talented young musicians of Phoenix performing live. Kirk Johnson; Founder and CEO of SOUNDS Academy says that “This is an exciting time for young artists and music education in Phoenix!”

We are elated that our students will be having a composition masterclass with cellist Malcolm Parson on April 3, and it’s open to the public!

Malcolm, who was recently noted “the most creative cellist of his generation,” has composed the music for ​”Ballet After Dark” on Hulu, “Good Ol Girl”, which is an official selection at 2020 SXSW Film Festival, and performed on the score of ​”Blow The Man Down”, directed by Danielle Krudy and Bridget Cole on Amazon.

Email mat@soundsacademy.org to RSVP!
Click here to learn more about Malcolm.

Join us this Saturday for a special Composition Masterclass led by our very own Janie Dailey! This class will be on February 27th from 11:30-12:30pm, is open to the public and is free of charge.

Email mat@soundsacademy.org to RSVP!
Click here to learn more about Janie.

2020 Vision: The Benefit Concert is an event that looks at the past, present, and future of SOUNDS Academy. Beyond performances by SOUNDS Academy students, and special guests, we will award students with scholarships, community partners with awards, and our seniors will make their college announcements.

100% of the proceeds from this concert will go towards spreading music education opportunities for children in Title-1 Schools and lower income neighborhoods.

This celebration of SOUNDS Academy and our young artists is an exciting family friendly event for all. If you believe in music education, join us for this dazzling afternoon featuring our talented students and special guest performers!

When: May 16th, 2020 at 1:00pm (Virtual Doors open at 12:45pm)
Where: www.soundsacademy.org/thebenefitconcert

View The Benefit Concert by clicking HERE.

Join our own Janie Dailey and Kirk Johnson as they discuss practice techniques and tools that all students can use in their practice rooms. They will cover tools for practicing, how to divide and conquer your music, how to set goals to supercharge your brain, and so much more. All instruments and levels are welcome to tune in!

View recording by clicking HERE.

Join our own Janie Dailey and Kirk Johnson as they discuss ways to make practicing fun through gaming that all students can use in their practice rooms. They will cover tools, apps, and simple things that you can do at home and in lessons to make the practice time fly by. All instruments and levels are welcome to tune in!

View recording by clicking HERE.

This workshop will include dynamics on the guitar, understanding dynamic symbols like piano and forte, moving the right hand up and down the fret board for a color change from tasto (warm) and ponticello (bright), and how we can use these tools to tell a story with music.

View recording by clicking HERE.

Does improvising music on the spot sound intimidating? By the end of this session/workshop, you’ll have the tools you need to improvise – or “take a break” – with confidence! We will study improvisation techniques from bluegrass music and practice jamming together. Students of all experience levels are welcome.

View recording by clicking HERE

Have you ever thought about what you will do after your graduate? Join us for a panel discussion about life after high school. Learn about some of the things that you can do now to prepare for your future. This panel will feature SOUNDS Academy alumni who are currently in college, have graduated, and chose a variety of majors.

Panelist Include:
Cameron Henderson-Cole – 2020 Graduate attending ASU in the Fall
Abby Mintz – 2018 Graduate currently attending NAU
Janae Pierce – 2018 Graduate currently attending Grambling State University
Chloe Calvino – 2016 Graduate and 2020 ASU Graduate attending Bowling Green in the Fall
Reina Montalbo – 2014 Graduate currently working for Casa Grande Elementary School District

This workshop is open to everyone who is interested.

Recording coming soon. 

Are you a young artist who has an entrepreneurial spirit? Do you have ideas on what you would like to do with your art, or have you thought about how you can impact your community or the world? Join us as we discuss how other artists took their careers into their own hands and blossomed into some of the most impactful individuals that the world has ever seen!

Panelist Include:
Dorrell Edwards – Founder and CEO of Always Timeless Productions and Always Timeless Music Group
Dominque Holley – Founder and Executive Director of Driftwood Quintet
Stephanie Matthews – Founder and Creative Director of StringCandy / Co-Founder of the Re-Collective Orchestra

This workshop is open to everyone who is interested.

View recording by clicking HERE.

Are you a young artist who has an aspiration to work in another field? Join us for a panel discussion to learn about individuals who played music in high school, college, or beyond and then used those same skills in different occupations.

Panelist Include:
Nina Mullins – Senior Director of Land and Papago Park Center at Salt River Project
Illya Riske – Deputy Director of Arts and Culture with Mesa Arts Center
Devron Warner – VP of Development with Harmonix Music Systems

This workshop is open to everyone who is interested.

View recording by clicking HERE.

Have you always wanted to know how to play the guitar? Learn the fundamentals of guitar playing and receive some resources so that you can continue learning.

Panelist:
Laura Meador – Arizona State University

This workshop is open to everyone who is interested.

Recording coming soon. 

Have you always wanted to know how to play the piano? Learn the fundamentals of piano playing and receive some resources so that you can continue learning.

Panelist:
Janie Dailey – SOUNDS Academy Teacher

This workshop is open to everyone who is interested.

July 30th at 4pm, RSVP by clicking our zoom registration HERE.

Due to matters related to Covid-19, Crescent Ballroom and SOUNDS Academy have decided to postpone this years Cover the Crescent. New Date TBD.

Due to matters related to Covid-19, SOUNDS Academy have decided to postpone any Instrument Petting Zoo’s until it is safe to do so. New Date TBD.

In an Instrument Petting Zoo, SOUNDS Academy brings instruments to schools and community centers so that children can try instruments. SOUNDS Academy students and volunteers help participants in trying instruments such as the violin, viola, cello, piano, and guitar.

Upcoming Instrument Petting Zoos:

All Instrument Petting Zoos have been postponed during the Covid-19 Quarantine