Stax Music Academy

Name

Stax Music Academy

Legal name

Stax Music Academy

Website

https://staxmusicacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Music Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Instruction (Instrumental & Vocal) (EDAMAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE), Online / Virtual Music Instruction & Platforms (EDAMANAI)

Keywords

• Youth music education
• After-school music programs
• Music performance training
• Music production education
• Music industry workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: After School Program tuition of $1,250/year and Summer Music Experience at $750. Additional revenue from Songwriting Camp ($125/student). Maximum family charge is $1,250 with financial assistance available.
2. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticketed performances such as 'A Century of Soul' live show ($25-30 per ticket), and car wash fundraisers ($20-30 car/truck wash)
3. Donations and Fundraising: Primary funding through charitable donations, scholarships funded by Soulsville Foundation fundraising efforts, and campaigns like #MusicMustContinue targeting $50,000 annually to close tuition gap
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including SoGiv x Stax Music Academy awareness shoes ($150/pair) with proceeds benefiting the academy

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Stax Music Academy delivers in-person and virtual music education for youth in grades 5-12, anchored by an After School Program (August-May) and a Summer Music Experience (June) that cover instrumental and vocal performance, music theory, songwriting, music business, audio engineering, and music production. It runs seven ensembles and cohorts plus the Music Employs workforce development track with tiered certification (Novice through Senior), apprenticeship opportunities through Live Nation Memphis, and college preparation in partnership with Berklee College of Music.

Product overview

Stax Music Academy is a music education organization offering multiple programs including the After School Program (August-May), Summer Music Experience (June), and Music Employs workforce development initiative. The institution operates multiple ensembles: Stax Music Academy Rhythm Section, Stax Jazz Ensemble, Street Corner Harmonies, Premier Percussion Ensemble, Audio Engineering and Production, and Stax Music Academy Satellite Band. Additional offerings include the Songwriting & Music Business Cohort, professional workshops with industry artists, and special programs like Beat Garden, Production Month, Soul of America virtual experience, and The Shed youth open mic series. The programs are delivered through the Soulsville Foundation's campus in Memphis, Tennessee.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• After School Program Year-round after-school music education program (August-May) for students in grades 5-12, providing vocal and instrumental training, music theory, production, ensemble rehearsals, daily snacks, and performance opportunities. Tuition is $1,250 per year, capped at the family maximum with financial assistance available to 81% of students.
• Summer Music Experience

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, supporting and core.

• Orion Financial / Overton Park ShellflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Orion Financial Free Concert Series at Overton Park Shell presenting SMA Summer Music Experience Finale, family-friendly free admission concert.
• Riker RecordssupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Production Month sponsor providing support for hands-on learning experiences and free community programs highlighting audio production facets.
• Universal AudiosupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Production Month sponsor supporting student field trips and workshops with industry-leading audio equipment and professional development.
• Sam Phillips Recording StudiosupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Historic Memphis studio providing behind-the-scenes tours for SMA production students, offering insight into recording techniques and production styles evolution.
• Live Nation MemphiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Live Nation Memphis leads the apprenticeship level of Music Employs program, offering students hands-on experience through placement in specific testing areas and work hours in the live entertainment sector.
• TicketmastersupportingTechnology or Integration · 1 August 2024Community partner in Music Employs program providing industry connections and accreditation opportunities for students in the entertainment ticketing and live event sector.
• Crosstown ArtssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Community partner hosting Music Employs 'Brand Lab' marketing and branding classes at Crosstown Concourse location, providing space for workforce development programming.
• Shelby County Film CommissionsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Community partner providing gig opportunities and industry exposure for Music Employs students interested in film and media production careers.
• James FauntleroycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20244x GRAMMY-winning songwriter and producer bringing Beat Garden music production workshop series to SMA students, teaching computer literacy through music using Roland technology. Has performed with Drake, Rihanna, and Justin Timberlake.
• RolandcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2024Music technology partner providing cutting-edge instruments and tools including Roland Cloud, AeroCaster, and AIRA Compact for Beat Garden workshops teaching students music production.
• Memphis Record Pressing (MRP) and Dinstuhl's Fine CandiessupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Local Memphis businesses partnering to produce limited edition 'Groovalicious' chocolate record with proceeds benefiting Stax Music Academy.
• 1500 Sound AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Sound academy founded by GRAMMY winners providing educational programming and professional development opportunities in collaboration with Stax Music Academy and Beat Garden events.
• Concord / Stax RecordsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Owner of Stax Records and parent company providing ongoing support including $1 million scholarship fund establishment, songwriting/publishing workshops with GRAMMY winners, and platform for alumni like Jeremy Powell being signed to current Stax Records label.
• Berklee College of Music / Berklee City Music NetworkflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMA is a proud member of Berklee City Music Network providing access to PULSE Music Method, college preparation workshops, and pathway programs to Berklee. Hosts annual #MusicallyMe workshops with Berklee recruiters.
• Justin TimberlakeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-year partnership including Levi's Music Project collaboration and joint performance at Biden-Harris Presidential Inauguration Celebration with artist Ant Clemons.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Little Kids Rock: Nonprofit providing modern music education (rock, pop, funk, etc.) to underserved public school students, with a focus on teacher training and instrument donations. Shares SMA's nonprofit structure, mission of access, and contemporary/popular music pedagogy for youth.
• Berklee City Music Network: Berklee's nonprofit network providing contemporary music education to underserved youth using the PULSE method, with college pathway programming. Directly comparable to Stax Music Academy in mission, target demographic (grades 5-12 underserved youth), nonprofit structure, and use of a flagship parent brand.
• Motown Museum (Hitsville USA): Detroit-based heritage institution at the original Motown Records site, offering educational programming around the Motown sound and Black music history. Strongly comparable to SMA as a parallel soul/R&B music heritage education institution at a legendary label's original location.
• School of Rock: Performance-based music education franchise for youth offering lessons, ensembles, and shows across rock, pop, and contemporary genres. Comparable to SMA in its ensemble-driven, performance-heavy curriculum and youth-focused lesson model, though for-profit and broader in genre.
• National Blues Museum: St. Louis-based museum and education center dedicated to preserving and teaching the blues and its influence on American music. Comparable in mission to educate around a foundational American music genre with youth programming and performances.
• Harmony Project: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing free, year-long music education and instruments to youth from underserved communities, with college-bound outcomes. Closely aligned to SMA's tuition-free/subsidized model, target demographic, and outcome focus on college access.
• GRAMMY Camp (Recording Academy / GRAMMY Museum): Recording Academy's immersive music education program for high school students covering performance, songwriting, production, and music business. Directly comparable to SMA in offering intensive, industry-connected music education with a GRAMMY brand identity.

Broad incumbents

• VH1 Save The Music Foundation: National nonprofit restoring music education in public schools through instrument grants and programs. Overlaps with SMA's mission of expanding music education access, but operates at a broader national scale and focuses on instrumental access rather than soul-music specialization.
• Peabody Preparatory School (Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute): Pre-college music program affiliated with the Peabody Conservatory, offering private lessons and ensembles to youth. Comparable to SMA's pre-college focus, but tied to a major conservatory with broader classical/jazz curriculum rather than soul/R&B specialization.
• New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA): Regional performing and creative arts conservatory-style high school serving talented youth in New Orleans. Comparable in providing pre-college arts training to teens, but operates as a public arts high school rather than an after-school/summer academy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/staxacademy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/staxmusicacademy
• Facebookfacebook.com/staxmusicacademy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

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 Stax Music Academy