Music Unites

What Music Unites does

Music Unites is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization (Tax ID: 270872124) founded in 2009 by Michelle Edgar and headquartered in New York City. Its mission is to raise academic and lifetime achievement for at-risk public school students through the support and creation of unique music education partnerships and programs. The organization provides free after-school music programs — including a Youth Choir, After-School Guitar Program, Music-Versity workshops, and the Compton-based Music Unites Academy — to youth through school-based partnerships and special monthly workshops aligned with college and career readiness standards. It also operates a Campus Representative Program at 8+ universities nationwide and a Summer MusicVersity virtual academy launched in 2020.

The organization's core "products" are human-delivered music education programs and curated exposure experiences, not technology platforms. Programs are delivered free of charge to students through direct partnerships with public schools and school districts (notably Compton Unified School District, which committed $50K toward programs). The technology stack underpinning delivery is minimal: a WordPress-based website, social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube), and email newsletter; there is no proprietary software, app, or API.

Music Unites is funded through individual donations, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and event-based fundraising. Marquee partners include PepsiCo, Spotify, Warner Music Group, Rolling Stone, VH1 Save the Music, Berklee City Music, H&M, Guitar Center, iHeartRadio, Viacom, BMI, ASCAP, and Nikon, as well as venue partners such as the Apollo Theater and Carnegie Hall. Pricing is not applicable — programs are free to students — and revenue is not publicly disclosed. The organization employs 11-50 people and operates across New York, California, Texas, Illinois, and Massachusetts.

Name

Music Unites

Legal name

Music Unites

Website

https://musicunites.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Music Unites is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2009 that delivers free after-school music education programs — youth choir, guitar, and Music-Versity workshops — to at-risk public school students through school-based partnerships across multiple U.S. cities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Music Education Services

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal) (EDAMAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE), Music Production & Composition (Songwriting, Recording, DJing) (EDAMAAAF)

Keywords

• Music education programs
• Youth music programs
• Nonprofit music foundation
• After-school music programs
• Music industry workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Music Unites raises funds from individual donors, foundation partners, and organization events to support music education programs.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnerships with corporations like PepsiCo, Rolling Stone, Warner Music Group provide funding and in-kind support for programs and events.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Music Unites is a national nonprofit charity that delivers free after-school music education programs to at-risk public school students through school-based partnerships. Its core programs include the Music Unites Youth Choir (professional vocal training and performances), Music-Versity workshops with music industry executives, after-school guitar programs, and the virtual Summer MusicVersity academy. The organization supplements programming with celebrity ambassador events, performances at professional venues (Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall), and a college campus representative program.

Product overview

Music Unites is a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of music education programs and initiatives. The core offerings include the Music Unites Youth Choir (professional vocal training and performance opportunities), Music-Versity Workshops (industry career panels and master classes), After-School Guitar Programs, and Summer MusicVersity (virtual music business academy). The organization also operates campus representative branches at colleges nationwide and partner school programs including the Women's Academy of Excellence in the Bronx and Music Unites Academy in Compton, CA. These programs work together to provide free music education to at-risk public school students through school-based partnerships and special workshops aligned with career and college readiness standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MusicVersity: Virtual academy for high school students to learn about music business, digital music, and live music through panels, workshops, and master classes.
• Music Unites Youth Choir
• Music Unites Guitar Program

Products and services

• Music Unites Youth Choir Free, professional-level vocal music training and performance ensemble for NYC public high school students, operated as a program of Young Audiences New York, providing opportunities to perform at professional venues across New York City.
• Music-Versity Workshops Supplemental panels, workshops, master classes, and career days featuring music industry leaders and executives, designed to align with college and career readiness standards and held at venues including PepsiCo HQ, Spotify HQ, and Village Studios.
• After-School Guitar Program Free after-school guitar instruction offered at partner schools, providing instrumental music education to students, including the Juarez Guitar Club performance with OK Go in Chicago.
• Summer MusicVersity Virtual academy for high school students to learn music business, digital music, and live music fundamentals through panels, workshops, and master classes held online.
• Campus Representative Program College campus-based branches and student representatives that organize events and spread awareness about Music Unites' mission nationwide at 8+ universities.
• Women's Academy of Excellence Program All-girl mentorship and music education program at Women's Academy of Excellence in the Bronx, featuring choir and guitar instruction for young women in underserved communities.
• Music Unites Academy Comprehensive music education program being built across multiple schools in Compton Unified School District, including instrumental, guitar, and beats production, with the district committing $50K toward programs.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Rolling StonecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRolling Stone partnered with Music Unites for the InTune music series, featuring events with artists like Gary Clark Jr., The Pretty Reckless, and Cobra Starship. Proceeds support Music Unites music education programs.
• VH1 Save the MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVH1 Save the Music partnered with Music Unites for the 'Kidz Love Music' essay contest, offering tickets to Kidzapalooza and raising awareness for music education in the Chicago area.
• Young Audiences New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic Unites Youth Choir is operated as a program of Young Audiences New York, providing professional-level vocal training and performance opportunities for NYC public high school students.
• Berklee City MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic Unites partnered with Berklee City Music for the Take Me to The River Education Initiative and joint performances at events honoring Quincy Jones. Berklee developed curriculum based on the Take Me to The River film.
• PepsiCocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPepsiCo partnered with Music Unites for Music-Versity workshops at Pepsi headquarters and sponsored the PS153 Choir program. Multiple Pepsi-sponsored events and programs.
• SpotifymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpotify partnered with Music Unites for student performances at Spotify showcases, Music-Versity workshops at Spotify HQ, and recording opportunities. Students performed at various Spotify events.
• Warner Music GroupmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWarner Music Group partnered with Music Unites for events at SXSW including 'The Warner Sound Captured by Nikon' showcase, providing opportunities for students to meet artists like Gary Clark Jr.
• Compton Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with Compton Unified School District including Music Unites Academy, Centennial Orchestra Program, and annual Music Unites Day celebrations. District committed $50K towards programs.
• H&MmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerH&M partnered with Music Unites for Music Unites Day celebration during Music In Our Schools Month.
• Guitar CentermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGuitar Center partnered with Music Unites as a key partner for Music Unites Day celebrations.
• iHeartRadiomajorGTM or Marketing PartneriHeartRadio partnered with Music Unites for Music Unites Day events.
• We DayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWe Day is a key partner for Music Unites Day, supporting youth empowerment through music education.
• SchollyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerScholly partnered with Music Unites for Music Unites Day celebrations.
• Music CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic Center is a partner for Music Unites Day, playing integral role in the mission of empowering youth through music education.
• Take Me to The RivercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTake Me to The River is an educational initiative bringing songwriting workshops and performances to students, partnering with Music Unites and Compton Unified School District.
• XX ProjectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerXX Project teamed up with Music Unites for 'Ride for a Cause' event with Soul Cycle to bring music into schools in Compton.
• Aliiez.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAliiez.com partnered with Music Unites to raise funds, with 20% of February sales going to the organization.
• SPiNminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSPiN hosted the 'Unplug After Work' fundraiser event, making donations to Music Unites for each person who checked their smartphone.
• Village StudiosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVillage Studios hosted Music-Versity at Village Studios event, providing studio space for music education workshops.
• Roger VivierminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRoger Vivier partnered with Music Unites to celebrate their Fall/Winter collection, raising awareness for music education in underfunded schools.
• Music Unites Campus Reps (Emerson, NYU, Northwestern, New School, Penn State, Harvard, Columbia, CSU Long Beach)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCampus branches at 8+ universities with student representatives organizing events and spreading awareness about Music Unites on college campuses nationwide.
• BMImajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBMI partnered with Music Unites and Viacom for Viacommunity Day songwriting workshops at schools.
• ViacommajorGTM or Marketing PartnerViacom partnered with Music Unites and BMI for Viacommunity Day volunteer efforts and songwriting workshops at W.C. Bryant High School.
• ASCAPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerASCAP partnered with Music Unites for 'Night School' educational events covering music industry topics like songwriting and artist management.
• Governors Ball Music FestivalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic Unites was the official charity to receive portions of proceeds from Governors Ball Music Festival tickets.
• Playboy Rock the RabbitminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlayboy's Rock the Rabbit program partnered with Music Unites, with portions of merchandise proceeds benefiting the organization.
• Unruly HeirminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUnruly Heir debuted official Music Unites t-shirts, with 100% of proceeds ($38 per shirt) going directly to Music Unites.
• Park Slope Rock SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPark Slope Rock School partnered with Music Unites for the #Don'tStopTheMusic initiative, donating portion of song sales to support music education.
• The RootsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Roots hosted the Music Unites Youth Choir at their Holiday Show at Brooklyn Bowl.
• Education Through MusicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation Through Music collaborated with Music Unites to bring artist visits and music motivation to NYC schools.
• Mick FleetwoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac supported Music Unites at the Rhythm of a Rose art exhibit, signing paintings to raise awareness.
• Nikon IncmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNikon partnered with Music Unites and Warner Music Group for SXSW events, providing cameras for student photography workshops.
• OK GominorGTM or Marketing PartnerOK Go performed with Music Unites' Juarez Guitar Club at the Benito Juarez Community Program in Chicago.
• The Apollo TheatercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic Unites has partnered with The Apollo for multiple student performances, including GRAMMY Week events and choir performances.
• Carnegie HallcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic Unites Youth Choir performed at Carnegie Hall events including 'The Music of The Who' tribute and inaugural choir concert.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Carnegie Hall's Music Education Programs: Broader incumbent with a much larger endowment running multiple music education programs for NYC public schools. Music Unites Youth Choir has performed at Carnegie Hall, indicating partnership overlap.
• MusiCares: Adjacent incumbent run by the Recording Academy focusing on music industry people in need. Broader music nonprofit, not a direct music education competitor, but operating in the same music-charity ecosystem with comparable sponsor relationships.

Direct peers

• Young Audiences New York: Direct peer and current operational partner — Music Unites Youth Choir is run as a program of Young Audiences NY. Provides arts-in-education programming to NYC public school students.
• Little Kids Rock (now Music Will): Direct peer and the largest US nonprofit providing free music education and instruments to underfunded public schools. Rebranded as Music Will in 2020; serves a similar population of at-risk students through school partnerships.
• Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation: Direct peer nonprofit that donates musical instruments to schools and supports music programs for K-12 students, focusing on underfunded districts in the same target market.
• Berklee City Music: Direct peer program from Berklee College of Music providing music education to underserved youth. Listed as an active strategic partner of Music Unites on the Take Me to The River initiative.
• The Roots of Music: Direct peer nonprofit providing after-school music education to at-risk youth in New Orleans. Closely comparable mission, target demographic, and after-school program model.
• Grammy Music Education Coalition: Direct peer initiative backed by the Recording Academy/GRAMMYs advocating for and funding music education in schools across the US — comparable mission with significantly larger institutional backing.
• VH1 Save the Music Foundation: Direct peer nonprofit dedicated to restoring music education in American public schools. Backed by Viacom and a recurring Music Unites co-marketing partner (Kidzapalooza essay contest).
• Education Through Music: Direct peer nonprofit partner that brings music instruction to under-resourced NYC schools. Co-delivers programs and artist visits alongside Music Unites.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/music_unites
• Facebookfacebook.com/musicunitesorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Music Unites