You Had to Be There: The 2025 SOUNDS Academy Benefit Concert Recap

Goosebumps. That’s the only way to describe what went down at the 2025 SOUNDS Academy Benefit Concert. 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. “This concert was nothing short of magical,” said SOUNDS Academy Founder and CEO Kirk Johnson. “It simply wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible community! SOUNDS Academy was built by the community, for the community, and even now, I get goosebumps thinking about the overwhelming love and support that filled The Orpheum Theatre.”

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. If this campaign sounds like something you would be interesting in supporting, click HERE to donate!

“From the very beginning, our unofficial theme was “Collaboration” and wow, did that spirit shine on stage!” said Founder & CEO Kirk Johnson, “We had internal collaboration where students worked together with our teachers to put together their performances But the collaboration didn’t stop there! Externally our alumni returned to the spotlight, local professionals jumped in to jam, and the result was a show that truly transcended generations of SOUNDS Academy magic.And let’s not forget the real MVPs behind the curtain our Staff, Board of Directors, and Instruments For Change Committee. Their insights, energy, and behind-the-scenes brilliance helped shape every detail of the evening. The 2025 Benefit Concert wasn’t just a performance, it was a community powered celebration and a testament of the inspiration and unity that we create when we build something 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. For an extra challenge, try not to cry watching it! 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!