Youth education & outreach
Music education without obstacles
iAM MUSIC partners with schools and youth programs across La Plata County to bring year-round music education to students: instruments, gear, rehearsal space and mentorship from working musicians, at no cost to the student.
Free to students · Year-round · La Plata County
2025 at a glance
Reaching the students who need it most
Our partners
Where we teach
We bring coaches, quality gear and a customized, socially minded curriculum to each partner, built around their mission and their students.
Animas High School
3 classes, 4 days a week, all academic year, plus a 3-week Osprey Block Intensive. 75%+ of participants have an IEP or 504 plan.
Big Picture High School
2.5 days a week of 1:1 instruction, a weekly 2-hour ensemble class and after-school lessons. 90%+ of students are low-income, at-risk or underserved.
GOAL High School
Two 8-week education blocks built for alternative education pathways, plus 3 youth band-coaching classes.
La Plata Youth Services
1:1 music instruction for youth in intervention and support programs.
What students gain
Hands-on experience in every corner of music
Skills
- Music theory and the language of music
- Private lessons and band coaching
- Songwriting, composition and production
- Recording and live sound
Career & leadership
- Band leadership and management
- Booking, marketing and tour management
- Event production
- College prep and artist development
Access
- Free instruments, gear and rehearsal space
- Real stages and student showcases
- Mentorship from working musicians
- Internships for graduation hours
Internships & mentorship
Real-world experience
Interns work side by side with an active collective of professional musicians, building a personal action plan with our Internship Coordinator. We work with school evaluation platforms so students can earn the hours they need for graduation, and in 2025 we delivered 300+ internship hours.
Meet the team
Our outreach instructors
Bring iAM MUSIC to your school or program
We build each program around your mission and your students. Reach out to Jesse Ogle, Co-Executive Director of Programs, to start the conversation.