OUR IMPACT

Founded in 1999 upon the belief that young people’s voices deserve to be heard, Music Ascension has produced over 100 CDs featuring the lyrics, music, and artwork of thousands of children throughout the United States. At its core Music Ascension’s vision focuses on songwriting and music creation, as we facilitate how fun and freeing creating music can be. Bored with the classic model of music education, we have seen how exploring the creative process, technological fluency and good communication with others is vital to finding success in the modern music world. We still feel strongly that a firm grasp on music theory and fundamental ideas such as melody, harmony and rhythm are the foundation of a skilled musician. We have just found our own ways to impart this knowledge on our students in a manner that is easy to understand and immersive. 

While we are very proud of our work and are confident in the impact it has on young people, others in the music and education world have also taken notice. Music Ascension was awarded the Innovations in Special Education Award in 2016 by New Jersey Department of Education, and the 2017 National Award for Leadership in Special Education by the National Association of Private School Education Centers. Founder and owner, Pete Kalvert, has given multiple TEDx talks on the impact music can have on young people with presentations at TEDx Beacon Street in November 2015, as well as at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC for TEDx Estee Lauder Companies in April 2016.

While receiving many accolades for our work, the true impact of Music Ascension is on the people they interact with. Starting primarily as a niche music program for NYC schools, Music Ascension has blossomed into a versatile music education company working with summer camps, community outreach organizations and after school programs. We have build dozens of state of the art recording studios for our clients and partners, and continue to search for new avenues to share our positive vision and give people the voice they deserve.  

TESTIMONIALS

“TRULY TRANSFORMATIVE & A WONDER TO OBSERVE. THIS WORK IS INVALUABLE.”

  • Kirsten Jensen, Director Altitude at Via Services

“MUSIC ASCENSION AND IT’S TEACHING ARTISTS HAVE SUCCEEDED TO PEEL AWAY THE LAYERS OF PAIN AND SUFFERING WITHIN MY STUDENTS BY HELPING THEM TO WRITE, COMPOSE, AND PERFORM ORIGINAL MUSIC IN OUR OWN RECORDING STUDIO. THE TRANSFORMATION IS NOTHING SHORT OF MIRACULOUS.”

  • Luanne Macri, Director, The Fedcap School

“I ADMIRE WHAT YOU ARE DOING. ANYTHING THAT CAN FOCUS KIDS ON ACTION, RATHER THAN REACTION OR NO ACTION AT ALL, IS A GOOD AND POSITIVE THING.”

  • Branford Marsalis commenting on our work at Project Morry

“THANK YOU FOR HELPING MY DAUGHTER FIND OUT WHO SHE REALLY IS. YOU HAVE CHANGED HER LIFE. YOU HAVE GIVEN HER A NEW BEGINNING. ”

  • Donna, parent

 

“THE PROGRAM WAS AMAZING ! STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO A REAL CREATIVE OUTLET TO RESPOND TO PRESSING ISSUES IN THEIR WORLD. ”

  • Serifatu Alaka-Hughes, ELT Manager Newark, NJ

“MUSIC ASCENSION HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN PROVIDING A CREATIVE OUTLET FOR OUR STUDENTS. I HAVE SEEN TREMENDOUS GROWTH WITH OUR ANXIOUS AND SHY STUDENTS. I HAVE ALSO SEEN A RISE IN TEST SCORES AND AN INCREASE IN CREATIVE WRITING. STUDENTS WHO HAD DIFFICULTY COMING TO SCHOOL NOW CAN PERFORM ON THE STAGE. WE HAVE HAD 3 STUDENTS RECEIVE THE NJ GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND THE VSA AWARD. MUSIC ASCENSION HAS ENRICHED THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS AND HAS MADE US A BETTER SCHOOL.”

  • Diane Somers, Owner, Chapel Hill Academy

“MUSIC ASCENSION HAS KEPT ME IN SCHOOL.”

  • Matt C, student