ZU Arts Initiative has received $7,000 to host free music workshops for Cortez children ages 4 to 10 this fall, with dates to be announced this summer.
The Mini Music Makers program will pair emerging and experienced musicians to lead two one-hour workshops, one for children ages 4 to 6 and another for children ages 7 to 10. The program will be held at 48 W. Main St.
“There is no shortage of talented musicians in this community, and there is no shortage of kids who deserve to grow up with music in their lives,” Jodi Jahrling, founder and executive director of ZU Arts Initiative, said in a prepared statement.
Experienced musicians will be paid $250 to lead instruction, while emerging artists ages 13 to 21 will be paid $50 to assist session leaders.
For young emerging artists, assisting with sessions will provide experience and opportunities to grow into lead instructor roles.
The funding comes from the LOR Foundation’s 81321 Launch program, which supports arts projects throughout the city. ZU Arts Initiative has begun using the grant to purchase instruments, which it said will be permanent additions for future programming.
“This is the kind of program Cortez has needed for a long time,” ZU Arts Initiative wrote in a statement. “Families who cannot afford private lessons have had few options for getting their kids into music. Mini Music Makers changes that.”
Musicians interested in applying for emerging or experienced roles and families interested in receiving updates about registration and dates can visit cortezarts.org/mini-music-makers for more information.
avanderveen@the-journal.com
