SOUNDS Academy

What SOUNDS Academy does

SOUNDS Academy is an Arizona-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 by Kirk Johnson, headquartered in Phoenix. The organization delivers music education to underserved youth in the Phoenix metro area, layering explicit character-value instruction (Creativity, Leadership, Perseverance, Resilience, Teamwork) onto instrumental training on strings, woodwinds, guitar, and piano. Its program portfolio spans a hierarchy: the Musical Access Program uses live performances and Instrument Petting Zoos for awareness; the School Program delivers bi-weekly hour-long group classes on partner-school campuses; the SOLO Program adds one-on-one mentorship; The Collective is an advanced ensemble of 50 dedicated students attending 6 hours per week of lessons, chamber ensemble, theory, and community performances; and an overnight Summer Camp operates at Yavapai College in Prescott, AZ. Services are provided at no or reduced cost, with instruments supplied to students who cannot afford them and need-based scholarships available.

The underlying "technology" is a pedagogical methodology plus a lightweight Student Portal web resource; there is no proprietary software platform or AI capability. Distribution is community-led: school partnerships (notably Osborn School District, serving 2,800+ students), word-of-mouth, an annual Benefit Concert, and ongoing community performances. SOUNDS Academy monetizes exclusively through donations, grants, and fundraising events, with named institutional funders including the Arizona Community Foundation/Ellis Center for Educational Excellence, the Burton Family Foundation, and the Ingebritson Family Foundation, plus strategic partners such as The Phoenix Symphony, Lunar Calendar, Yavapai College, and Rosie's House. The core operating team is lean (CEO, External Operations Manager, Program Director, Administrative Assistant) augmented by professional teachers and teaching artists.

Name

SOUNDS Academy

Legal name

SOUNDS Academy

Website

https://soundsacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SOUNDS Academy is a Phoenix-based nonprofit founded in 2014 that provides free or reduced-cost music education — spanning group classes, one-on-one mentorship, advanced ensembles, and overnight summer camp — to underserved K-12 youth, integrating explicit character-values instruction with instrumental training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Music Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Educational Support Services (611710)

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), Private Music Lessons (Instrumental) (EDAMANAA), Performance Coaching & Competition Preparation (Auditions, Recitals) (EDAMANAL)

Keywords

• Music education programs
• Youth development services
• Nonprofit arts education
• Instrument instruction classes
• Character education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: SOUNDS Academy is a nonprofit that relies on donations, grants, and scholarship funding. The organization provides instruments and music education at no or reduced cost to underserved youth. Revenue comes from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and fundraising events like the annual Benefit Concert and SpeakEasy fundraiser.
2. Need-based Scholarships: Need-based scholarships provided for students requiring financial assistance to participate in programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SOUNDS Academy is a nonprofit music education organization that delivers individual lessons, group classes, and ensemble performance instruction on string and woodwind instruments, guitar, and piano to underserved youth in grades K-12 across the Phoenix metro area. Programs integrate character values (Creativity, Leadership, Perseverance, Resilience, Teamwork) into music instruction, and instruments along with need-based scholarships are provided to students who cannot afford them.

Product overview

SOUNDS Academy is a nonprofit music education organization offering a portfolio of programs including the Musical Access Program (live performances and Instrument Petting Zoos), School Program (group instrumental instruction), SOLO Program (one-on-one mentorship), The Collective (advanced ensemble for 50 elite students), and Summer Camp. Programs teach character values of creativity, leadership, perseverance, resilience, and teamwork through music education, with instruments provided to those who cannot afford them.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Musical Access Program Program that exposes children in grades K-12 to musical experiences through live performances and Instrument Petting Zoos, inspiring them to explore music and play instruments while teaching character values.
• School Program Group instrumental instruction program for lower-income schools teaching note reading and fundamentals of instrument performance through bi-weekly, hour-long classes while providing instruments, music books, and materials.
• SOLO Program One-on-one instruction program providing mentorship to prepare students for auditions and high-level performances, with instruments, music books, and supplementary materials provided.
• The Collective Elite ensemble program consisting of 50 hardworking students who exemplify character values, attending concerts, taking lessons, playing in chamber ensembles, and taking theory classes for 6 hours per week while performing throughout the valley.
• Summer Camp Overnight music summer camp offering solo lessons, group lessons, hiking activities, swimming, and character building activities focused on the five character values: creativity, leadership, perseverance, resilience, and teamwork.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students have received scholarships to play with orchestras and attend college
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lunar CalendarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLunar Calendar helped launch the SOUNDS Academy Masterclass Series with their approach to blending classical and contemporary music combined with their commitment to mentorship, creating dynamic and inspiring environments for students.
• The Phoenix SymphonycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Phoenix Symphony hosted masterclass experiences providing students the opportunity to learn within a professional symphony setting. Students received real-time feedback, encouragement, and insight from professional musicians.
• Yavapai CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer camp location provider. On June 8, SOUNDS Academy staff transported camp participants to Yavapai College in Prescott, AZ for the overnight summer music camp.
• Rosie's HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating organization for Summer Camp 2026. Students from Rosie’s House participated in the camp alongside SOUNDS Academy students.
• Prescott Youth OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating organization for Summer Camp 2026. Students from Prescott Youth Orchestra participated in the camp.
• Global Arts in LAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating organization for Summer Camp 2026. Students came from Global Arts in Los Angeles, California to participate in the camp, demonstrating SOUNDS Academy's regional draw.
• Osborn School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor school district partnership started June 2023. SOUNDS Academy hosts programs at Osborn Middle School campus in Central Phoenix. Osborn serves more than 2,800 students and is nationally recognized for academic growth and school safety.
• SEED SPOTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial impact incubator and accelerator that supported SOUNDS Academy. Kirk Johnson was a participant in SEED SPOT Demo Day (2013). SOUNDS Academy won Audience Favorite for Social Innovation at SEED SPOT.
• Tetra String QuartetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal string quartet whose mission is to connect people with chamber music. Mentioned as a featured artist/organization in the SOUNDS Academy community.
• Tito MuñozminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProminent conductor who conducted a special coaching session with SOUNDS Academy students focusing on leadership development.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The People's Music School: Chicago-based nonprofit providing free, high-quality music education to underserved youth with a similar pathway from beginner through advanced ensemble instruction.
• Harmony Project: LA-based nonprofit providing free music education and instruments to youth from low-income families; El Sistema-inspired model serving a similar mission and demographic to SOUNDS Academy.
• Play On, Philly!: Philadelphia-based El Sistema-inspired nonprofit providing free, daily music instruction to students from under-resourced communities; comparable intensive model and mission focused on youth development.
• Sing for Hope: Nonprofit leveraging the arts—particularly music—to empower underserved youth and communities; comparable mission of arts access for underserved populations and similar fundraising/grant model.
• Rosie's House: Phoenix-based nonprofit providing free music education to underserved youth; named as a collaborating partner for SOUNDS Academy's Summer Camp 2026. Closest geographic and mission peer.
• Tune Up Philly: Philadelphia-based El Sistema-inspired nonprofit offering free, intensive music instruction to students from under-resourced communities; comparable youth development through music mission.
• Community Music Center of Boston: Nonprofit providing affordable music education and performance opportunities to Boston-area youth and adults, including underserved populations; comparable group class and ensemble program structure.
• Atlanta Music Project: Nonprofit providing intensive, tuition-free music education to underserved youth in Atlanta; comparable structure of group lessons, ensembles, and performance opportunities.

Broad incumbents

• El Sistema USA: National umbrella organization supporting El Sistema-inspired programs across the U.S. focused on music education for underserved youth; provides infrastructure and grants that SOUNDS Academy could plug into for scale.
• Phoeniz Symphony: Major regional orchestra that partners with SOUNDS Academy for masterclass experiences; broader professional arts organization in the same Phoenix ecosystem pursuing overlapping youth education objectives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCuFDFtJnq0DrupxmQlQH2nQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/SOUNDSAcademy
• Instagraminstagram.com/soundsacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soundsacademy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 SOUNDS Academy