Project Rhythm

Why Budget Cuts for Music Education are Terrible

By Kaitlin Coffey, Age 17, Brooklyn, N.Y.

A Life Long Creative Interest

In all of America’s 50 largest cities, only 58% of students actually make it to graduation. If the government stopped cutting the funding for the programs kids need most, maybe school would be something to look forward to rather than dreaded.

According to DoSomething.org, over 1.2 million high school students drop out each day in the United States alone. Every 26 seconds a child will leave school never to return, that’s 7,000 students a day! The truancy rates for junior and high school kids in America have increased rapidly over the decades. Over the previous 20 years, the level of dropouts has doubled and nearly tripled for college students. 

Research is screaming that involvement in the creative and performing arts - music, visual arts, dance, theater - sparks significant motivation for school attendance. Americansforthearts.org provides data showing the measurable effect arts education has on youth who are at risk of behavior or truancy problems. I’m a student myself and words can’t begin to describe how much the arts have guided me throughout my life.

Confidence Levels Beyond Comprehension

Haven’t you ever turned to your tunes at a difficult time when you needed to be uplifted? Music can be used as an effective weapon to conquer all doubt and temporary obstacles, powerful enough to impact all of us. Countless studies and surveys prove that kids who are involved in music and the arts are much more likely to succeed in the academic field. Music is a force working to construct positivity and capability to take great pride in a job well done. 

Pain relief, decrease in stress and therapy for the mind, music sparks appreciation and sculpts concepts of the world around us. Self-expression diminishes the need to be acknowledged, it eliminates the feeling of unworthiness. The creative process of music enhances the brain and sharpens listening skills.

The gift of music and arts education grants underserved kids memories that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Music allows the youngest yet wildest dreamers to experience their fantasies wide awake!

SO WHY IS IT THAT NUMBERS AND EQUATIONS ARE DEEMED MORE IMPORTANT THAN MUSIC EDUCATION?!

Support Project Rhythm!

Shout Out!

By Kaitlin Coffey, Project Rhythm Alumna, Age 17, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Project Rhythm wants to thank every one of our awesome supporters and volunteers!
After all, what organization would we be without your passion, love and generosity?

Allowing them to live through priceless moments they once could only dream about, donations that our kind hearted supporters give have a major impact on the lives of underserved youth.

Our team is interested in expanding the growth of our community, and we are dedicated to using music as the tool for empowerment. Project Rhythm has a passion for music and for our volunteers. Recent programs include our partnership with ACS (Administration for Children’s Services) to work with their Juvenile Justice Department. A big shout out goes to JamOnDumbo for making songs with students from P.S. 307 in Brooklyn!  Also, our sessions with students from WHEELS (Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School) gave them the opportunity to meet HipHop artist Homeboy Sandman.Our organization is proud to announce collaboration with Camp AmeriKids and Camp TLC. Project Rhythm also dedicated a studio day to Dance Theatre Etc.’s In-Trasition Hiphop Theatre company.

“I was beyond ecstatic when Project Rhythm offered me a social media internship! All of us grow an immense amount every day, and we don’t even realize it. There are honestly so many things I’ve attained over the past few months. I’m only human, and I’ve made mistakes, but they’ve transformed into lessons learned. My experience as an intern has taught me a lot, and I’ve grown to know myself better. Music is daily motivation. Without it, I wouldn’t have gained so much knowledge. When it comes to education, the arts deserve way more attention. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that music really is a genuine form of pedagogy. I’m passionate about Project Rhythm and the mission to empower youth through music. The studio session with Dance Theatre Etc. was an amazing night I will remember for the rest of my life. I personally wish to thank Audrey Tiong and Isa Loundon. Because of these lovely ladies, my research, writing, and editing skills have improved so much! I have more confidence now, I’m stronger and independent. I’m aware that I can dream big and reach tremendous goals. This organization taught me that individual power can have an immeasurable impact on the rest of the world. With a little positivity and a will to learn, you can reach any destination your heart desires. My knowledge tells me that obstacles are inevitable, and life will never be perfect, but we never give up. With each step we take, we grow more intelligent and more successful. Thank you Jamin, Steve and everyone who believes in Project Rhythm!” - Kaitlin Coffey, Project Rhythm Alumna, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Inspiration, collaboration, performance skills, job readiness, professionalism and friendship are just a few things Project Rhythm has provided over the years. Mentorships educate youth, and the teachers walk away with knowledge they couldn’t possibly learn anywhere else. Successful artists guide and escort youth down a path they once experienced, inspiring and teaching to change the change the lives of so many.

Supporters range from star engineer/producers such as Bob Power and Camus Celli to high school students, to you reading this right now. Panelist interviews between aspiring artists and influential music professionals give insight and wisdom that no money can buy, such as independence, empowerment, drive, assurance and determination. We want to thank entertainment and entrepreneur lawyer Mita Carriman, talented and independent Homeboy Sandman, and all other inspiring role models. Thanks to our supporters, the confidence levels of youth have skyrocketed. Project Rhythm students truly appreciate the advice, drive and motivation to keep going.

With great faith in our cause and belief in our volunteers, supporters help underserved children believe in themselves. Some of us just aren’t ready to let music education slip away and out of our grasp. Shout out to the participants, cheerleaders and everyone else that works to make our mission possible!