our mission
Little Kids Rock knows that music is a critical component of a first-rate education. We inspire children to express themselves through music, building the creativity, confidence, and self-esteem that are critical to success in school and beyond. We accomplish this by:

• Pioneering innovative teaching methods that are rooted in children’s knowledge of popular music forms such as rock, rap, blues, hip-hop etc.
• Preparing practitioners such as teachers and youth workers to offer classes utilizing our methods and materials.
• Providing free musical instruments and trained instructors to children, especially to those children who do not receive music education.
  

our vision
Music is a critical component of a first-rate education. Children who know the joys of expressing themselves creatively build confidence and self-esteem, and are less likely to channel their energy into destructive outlets. These benefits spill over into all of the other academic subjects. Unfortunately, many elementary schools have been stripped of their music programs. These cuts have had a disproportionately large impact on children from low-income backgrounds. Our programming restores music to its rightful place in the academic lives of the kids in our public schools.

our history
In 1996, an elementary school teacher, David Wish, grew frustrated with the lack of funding for music education at his school site. He offered an after-school guitar class to some students at his school. What began in as an informal project led by a single school teacher and a handful of volunteers has catapulted into a nationally recognized not-for-profit organization that has served thousands of students in seven states. With the support of Honorary Board Members Bonnie Raitt, Paul Simon, BB King, Les Paul, Jason Newsted and a host of celebrated friends in the music industry, Little Kids Rock is poised to significantly extend its reach in the United States.


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