At the Volunteer Musicians for the Arts (VMA), we believe in starting with a simple invitation: bring your music to others, and see where it takes you. That’s the heart of our Junior Program, where students of all ages can participate in outreach concerts—locally in the Boston area or, for older students, by forming school clubs and organizing performances in their own communities. General membership is free and open to all. It’s a welcoming first step for students to experience the joy and impact of live music in service to others.

For students ready to go further, we offer the Leadership Initiative—a structured pathway with mentorship, service tracking, national awards, and (for high schoolers) discussion-based virtual workshops, guest speakers, and personal guidance from VMA Director Jonathan Yasuda. It’s for families who want to deepen their commitment and find purpose in outreach.

Most school music clubs end with high school. At VMA, we connect music to a life of service, leadership, and meaning. We don’t push that path—we make it visible and walk alongside those who choose it.

The Leadership Initiative also helps students stand out in the high school and college application process, while equipping them with confidence, compassion, and tools to make a difference beyond graduation.

Everything we do is about opening doors. The first is simply showing up—sharing music and experiencing its impact. From there, each family decides how far to go. We’re here to guide the way, but the journey is theirs.