About Us

Sound Foundations is built on the belief that music is one of the most basic ways humans have learned and connected with each other for thousands of years. “Music lives in the oldest part of our brain,” said education researcher Anita Collins, author of The Music Advantage: How Music Helps Your Child Develop, Learn, and Thrive. “Music and song are at least as old as language and the spoken word.”

Despite decades of research proving the positive impact of music on academic performance and growth — especially for young, developing minds — schools across America face shrinking budgets for arts and music education. Many school districts are turning to nonprofit organizations and community partners for help. 
 

Enter Sound Foundations — The area’s only nonprofit dedicated to ensuring music education is available to every charter school student in Rochester.

Sound Foundations launched in 2026, inspired by like-minded national and regional organizations that share our values including: 
 

• Save the Music Foundation, which provides grants so schools can purchase student instruments and provide teacher training. 

• The Harmony Project, which brings intensive music training and support to underserved students in the Los Angeles area. 

• The Soulsville Charter School, a music-influenced middle and high school in Memphis, Tennessee, which leverages the birthplace of American soul music, Stax Records, and the Soulsville Foundation to promote music education in their region.

• Voice Charter School in New York City, where music is the beating heart of everything they do. It's not just a subject; it's their passion, inspiration, and guiding light.

We look forward to building a coalition of educators, advocates, and funders who are committed to elevating music, from a “nice-to-have” extracurricular activity to a powerful strategic tool to solve some of our city’s most difficult academic challenges.