Why your support
matters

Music unites, inspires and opens doors to life-changing opportunities.

At Play for Music Education, we are passionate about ensuring that every child in the Washington, D.C. area—especially those lacking access to traditional music education—can experience the transformative power of music. We invite partners, sponsors, and community members to help us realize this vision.

Donor support is essential to increasing access to music education information and expanding the number of children in the D.C. area, regardless of background or zip code, who can benefit from its transformative power.

By contributing to this initiative, donors and sponsors will join a community of committed young musicians in creating a powerful ecosystem of opportunities that drive children's success, amplify their potential, and empower parents to unlock new pathways for success.

Make an
impact today

Whether through financial contributions, in-kind donations, expertise, or volunteer efforts,  every gift, whether large or small, helps us bridge the gap for parents and children who might otherwise miss out on the transformative power of music.

We appreciate your generosity and dedication to empowering the next generation through music!

Donate Today!

3% Cover the Fee

Why Our Initiative Works

  • Youth-Led Model. This model is more than inspiring; it’s effective. Teen musicians lead interactive, peer-to-peer workshops and performances, making music education tangible and relatable. The model resonates because families see themselves represented, making it feel accessible, relevant, and achievable.

  • Trusted Institutions. Supporting respected local programs like the DC Youth Orchestra Program, Sitar Arts Center, and Levine Music, proven music education providers.

  • Credibility + Access. Our approach combines authentic lived experience, research, and personalized navigation support, directly addressing barriers like misinformation, intimidation, and financial concerns.

How to Support Our Work

  • Financial Support

    Submit a donation! Sponsors will receive logo placement and promotional mentions unless donors choose to remain anonymous. Your financial support will go 100% towards our initiative. Any remaining funds will be donated to trusted DC music programs.

  • In-Kind Donations

    Contribute your expertise to guide our campaign, donate sheet music, printing services, instruments or event space. These resources directly reduce overhead and expand our reach.

  • Partnerships

    If you represent a local business, business district, non-profit or cultural organization, collaborate with us to co-host concerts, share educational content or sponsor a community event.

  • Volunteer Support

    We are looking for volunteer musicians. Your participation might earn you community hours for school, a gift and our gratitude.

    We are also looking for volunteers to take photos, help promote our initiative or support our events.

Looking for Talented Artists!

What unites us and our talented volunteer artists is simple: Playing it Forward.

By sharing your time, talent, and passion for music, you're helping to create opportunities for children in the Washington, D.C. region to experience the transformative power of music education. Together, we’re making a lasting impact.

Your participation might earn you community hours for school and the satisfaction to know that you are helping build the next generation of classical musicians. Contact us to sign up or receive more information about our volunteer program.

Why Your Support Matters

  • Web & Marketing Costs

    We maintain a bilingual website, share monthly newsletters and create printed materials (flyers, posters) to inform and inspire families. Your contribution helps us keep these resources accessible, up-to-date and engaging.

  • Youth-Led Concerts & Events

    Hosting community performances often involves permit fees, venue costs and transportation for young musicians. Funding these expenses allows us to offer free events, reaching families in neighborhoods where formal music programs and performances are scarce.

  • Educational Resources

    Sheet music and basic supplies ensure talented young performers have the resources they need to rehearse and perform.

  • Volunteer Appreciation & Training

    Our volunteers—from stagehands to performers—are essential to the initiative’s success. To strengthen our collective impact, we aim to provide them with basic amenities such as refreshments or volunteer shirts.

Transparency and Accountability

We understand that trust in our campaign is critical when deciding to support us, especially regarding donations. D.C. law allows short-term drives and fundraising campaigns like ours to raise funds without becoming a registered nonprofit. We are conducting this as a one-year, volunteer-driven campaign.

Since we are minors, we have a designated parent advisor and a third-party fiscal partner overseeing all funds and expenses. Donations are not tax-deductible, and no part of your contribution will be used for personal gain. Any remaining funds at the end of our campaign will be donated directly to local music education nonprofits in Washington, D.C.

Reporting to Donors

To ensure complete transparency, we will provide a mid-year and a final report detailing how all donations have been used and the campaign's outcomes. These reports will be directly shared with all donors.