Singer and Berklee senior Grace Kelly is working toward launching the first VMA college club at Berklee College of Music! As Miss Connecticut Volunteer 2027, Grace combines professional arena performances with a lifelong commitment to service, including fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Her vision is to bring the VMA Foundation’s mission of music, service, and leadership to Boston Public Schools and beyond. We’re excited to follow Grace’s journey as she helps bring VMA to a new generation of college musicians!

From Miami to San Francisco to Chapel Hill, the VMA Foundation is building a national community of young musicians united by service, stewardship, and leadership. Through our free Junior Program for students in Grades 1–12, young musicians can share their talents, support charitable causes, and develop as leaders. Wherever your musical journey begins, you can make a difference. Give back. Play forward.

The VMA Foundation welcomes three new Junior Program members from California, Colorado, and Mississippi! Meet Sparsh, a middle school guitarist; Salvador, a middle school cellist; and Jada, a high school pianist.

Through VMA’s Sweet Sounds of Service Campaign, students and the Foundation work together to support VMA and charitable causes through ethical fundraising and service. Together, we’ve donated $500 to Street Symphony, and Concord Academy’s VMA Club, founded by Albert Zhou and Yanlin Zhou, has raised $2,000 toward our shared $6,000 academic-year goal. Through teamwork, outreach, and leadership, we’re turning music into meaningful stewardship.

As the holiday season approaches, we invite VMA Junior Program members and their families to share photos of their outreach concerts and musical service. From performance spaces and venue exteriors to musicians preparing to play, these snapshots will help us build a national impact portfolio celebrating the generosity and leadership of our young musicians.

Meet Yanlin, a high school junior at Concord Academy whose musical accomplishments are matched by his commitment to leadership and community service. As Co-Head of a school music club, an experienced pianist and vocalist, and a volunteer who leads singing activities with children, Yanlin hopes to use his talents to bring people together through music.

We are delighted to welcome these young musicians and their families into a community built around service, stewardship, and leadership through music.

“At the 2026 MTNA National Conference in Chicago, I interviewed nine amazing individuals showcasing their small businesses in the Exhibit Hall's Entrepreneurs Corner.” - Karen Thickstun, NCTM, is MTNA past president and coordinator of MTNA Business Resources and MTNA Business Digest. She is founding director of Butler Community Arts School and holds degrees in music, economics, and business administration.

From welcoming new members to celebrating students who go above and beyond, we love finding small ways to make our young musicians feel appreciated. And in this business, a little humor goes a long way! 🖊️🎶

We receive messages like this from communities across the country seeking young musicians to share their talents. These opportunities may be closer than you think—and your music could make a meaningful difference right in your own community.

Our VMA Foundation family continues to grow! 💙 This month, we're excited to welcome 11 new young musicians to our Junior Program, representing communities across the country.

At VMA, we celebrate every new student because joining means going beyond the traditional lesson experience. These young musicians are not only developing their musical skills—they are choosing to share those skills with others, serve their communities, and discover what their music can do beyond the practice room. They’re learning to play with purpose.

“It’s the choice of a new generation 🎸” - Pepsi, Waynes World. Our students suggested broadening the circle of support for earning National Service Awards—so while family support still matters, the majority of Sweet Sounds of Service funds should come from beyond the immediate household.

VMA Club Oaks Christian School shares their first rehearsal of 2026-2027!

Though they are at different stages of their musical journeys, Natalie and Colette are joining a growing community of young musicians who see music as more than something to practice and perform.

Alison’s connection to VMA goes back more than a decade. Early in her musical journey, she performed with VMA at Massachusetts General Hospital, bringing music and moments of relief to patients, visitors, and hospital staff. Today, she continues that spirit of service by mentoring the next generation of young musicians.

We’re excited to welcome Ally Santos, founder of Ally Santos Music Studio in Las Vegas, Nevada, to the VMA Foundation community!

Meet Paris, a high school member of the VMA Foundation Junior Program from Arlington, Texas.

Just like his fellow members, this courageous elementary school pianist is joining a growing community of young musicians who are discovering that music can be more than something we learn—it can be something we give.

We’re proud to celebrate Elysses Kuan of EKS Music School, named “The Most Influential Music Educator to Watch in 2026” by The Enterprise World. Even more meaningful to us is how EKS is carrying forward a philosophy we share at VMA Foundation through their 2026–2027 theme.