MusiCore
Our free, after school music program is the heart of our programming. We originally started at Kensington High School and are celebrating 15 years of it running. In 2018 we expanded to have a second MusiCore program in Germantown at Roosevelt Elementary + Middle School. Both of these locations are led by our MusiCore Manager Jaylen Jordan. Within these programs we also have our “Ready for the Future” space, led by our Education Manager Alex Graham.
Philadelphia children and teens from grades 6-12 learn to play instruments, write and record original music, and perform at real venues around Philly. They get support with schoolwork, high school selection and college applications, and life skills like job readiness and managing money. There are also paid internship opportunities and resource support with essentials like food, housing, and health.
“I feel like it’s helped me in a way of figuring out who I want to be. Before I came to Rock to the Future I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life and now I know what college I want to go to and what I want to be. Also, it’s helped me bring myself out more because I used to be a very closed-off kid.. social but closed off. It helped me open up more as a person and to know who I am and the people here are all so nice, so it helped even more. Especially the instructors and adults, they’re all close to our ages so they’re really fun to talk to.”
-Traeanna, current Rock to the Future student of 5 years.
MusiCommunity
Our MusiCommunity programs allowed us to move the impact of our programs out of just schools and into community centers around the city. This allowed us to expand the accessibility of our programs to new neighborhoods and offer programs in a new way. We built a community music studio at As I Plant This Seed and empowered our students at One Art Community Center to run a youth-led and youth-centered open mic night. At the heart of our MusiCommunity programs are Senior Program Manager Victoria Watts and our multi-talented instructor, Jack Zaferes.
Community partners Include:
- As I Plant This Seed
- One Art Community Center
- NOMO Foundation
"The main thing I've enjoyed with Rock to the Future is that they give you a nice way to try new things. For instance, I hosted three open mics.." - Rock to the Future student
Justice Programs
One of the major focuses for the organization over the past year has been the expansion of our Justice programs. This work includes our support for young people impacted by the justice system. Whether in incarceration, navigating reentry, intervention, or diversion, we are rooted in our commitment to serving Philadelphia youth from all experiences holistically. We launched programs at the JJC Intensive Prevention Services site in Germantown, and with help from foundations like SixDegrees.Org, we built a music studio in the Juvenile Justice Services Center. We are currently strengthening these avenues through partnerships with the Office of Public Safety’s Group Violence Initiative and the District Attorney’s Office.
MobileMusic
Over the years, music programming has become less readily available through both public and private schools. Oftentimes, the programming that does exist comes with barriers like fees, needing to buy an expensive instrument, and needing to audition to join. Our MobileMusic programs were created to get around all of those traditional obstacles and offer music programming during the school day to students at schools throughout the city. Classes include guitar, ukulele, piano, drums, choral ensemble, and music production.
Artie and Derek are not only excellent multi-instrumentalists, but also amazing teachers skilled in differentiated instruction techniques and classroom management.
Two key team members who work in this space are our Youth Engagement Specialist, MJ Jaramillo and our Youth Justice Specialist, Dwight Olds. MJ brings with them their experience in client-focused crisis management, and their role within the space has been focused on surveying the needs of the young people in our Justice Programs and connecting them with resources.
Dwight Olds joined our team after working with the Institute for the Development of African‑American Youth (IDAAY), where he supported community-based intervention and prevention initiatives. As Youth Justice Specialist, Dwight leads reentry support, diversion and intervention planning, and partnership development, working closely with the courts, community stakeholders, and more to help young people transition out of involvement in the justice system.
Outside of the people featured above, there is a whole crew of people working to make these programs happen. Huge shout-out to our music instructors, Emerald Chase and Barron Lacy. Also to our Brand Ambassador/Kensington Site Support Nia Nijah and Youth Program Support Jared Smith.
Behind the scenes our admin team handle the everyday tasks that keep Rock to the Future going. Grateful for our Director of Operations, Daniel Lord, Director of Individual Giving, Christine Dancey, Director of Institutional Relations, Sophia Rivera, Marketing Coordinator Terrell Halsey, and Operations & Finance Coordinator Maria Mirenzi. Last but not least, there is no Rock to the Future without our CEO Jessica Craft and Chief Music Officer Josh Craft!
