At Rock to the Future, we know that music can open doors far beyond the stage. Our college and career readiness programs help young people build the skills, experience, confidence, and connections they need to pursue their goals during and after high school. Through hands-on learning, career exploration, mentorship, and paid work opportunities, students discover how their interests and talents can translate into college pathways, careers, and meaningful opportunities. Whether a student dreams of becoming a professional musician, working in the creative industries, attending college, or pursuing an entirely different career, we help them build a foundation for what comes next.
Ready for the Future
Our comprehensive MusiCore program includes Ready for the Future, which provides on-site, individualized education support including tutoring, middle school to high school selection process, resume writing, career exposure, financial literacy, and other life skills needed to pursue their dreams. Through participation in our programs, youth are able to fulfill their graduation requirements.
In addition, we provide dedicated college and trade school support, including college and trade school visitation, application and enrollment support, financial aid application assistance, and each graduate receives a new MacBook and up to a $1,500 scholarship for their college or trade school costs. We also have a partnership with the Justamere Foundation to provide tuition assistance for trade programs, and offer the Georgie Bond’s Scholarship of $10,000 each year to a graduate pursuing a degree in music. Since inception, 100% of graduates have pursued college or trade programs.
Connected2Learning
Through a partnership with JEVS Connected2Learning, we are able to provide 5 weeks of full day MusiCore summer programming that provides comprehensive music and creative opportunities pair with professional and life skill development. Each student is paid more than $1,300 for learning technical and life skills, and we distribute $100,000+ annually to teens through this program.
Instructor Training Program
The Instructor Training Program (ITP) provides Rock to the Future alumni with a pathway to turn their music skills into paid teaching, education, and youth-development experience. Our alumni:
- Apply, interview, and are accepted into the program
- Complete 25 hours of classroom-based training on youth development, restorative practices, trauma-informed care, lesson planning and more
- Spend 40 hours assistant teaching, shadowing, and receiving coaching
- Are paid an hourly wage of $25/hr for the training program
- Are hired as employees upon successful completion of the 3 month training program
In addition to providing young people with career training skills, the ITP also supports our program expansion by building a diverse and representative pipeline of Philadelphia-based youth development educators.
Concert Creators & Hands-On Experience
Learning by doing is at the heart of our approach. Through Concert Creators, MakerLab, Music Production, and other hands-on experiences during their time in our programs, students gain real-world experience in the creative industry. Through planning, producing, promoting, and performing at live events, learning graphic design, and learning music production, our students develop creative skills to support careers in the Creative Industry. These experiences help young people understand the many careers that exist behind the scenes in the music and creative industries while building skills they can carry into any workplace. Our students don't just learn about their futures, they get opportunities to start building them.