Founded in 1999 upon the belief that young people’s voices deserve to be heard, Music Ascension has produced over 100 albums featuring the lyrics, music, and artwork of thousands of children throughout the United States.
Utilizing contemporary music technology, our innovative programming in songwriting, music production, instrumental performance, chorus, & classroom music offers young people the chance to feel their creativity fuel their lives and learning.
Our work engages & enhances the creative voices of our youth and serves as a galvanizing force in the communities we serve. With decades-long partnerships with schools, youth centers, non-profit youth development organizations, and summer camps, we have helped transform students, faculties, and communities in deeply meaningful and sustainable ways.
HEAR THE STUDENTS FROM THE FEDCAP SCHOOL . . .
Written & Recorded in East Orange, NJ by Jailyn Martin, Najee Paschall, & Al Tariq Mo
Facilitated & Produced by Music Ascension Teaching Artist Providence David
Video Filmed & Edited by Nimi Hendrix
“I admire what you are doing. Anything that can focus kids on a course of action, rather than reaction or no action at all, is a good and positive thing.”
Original Art created live during TEDx Talk Beacon Street, Boston MA
Shortly after the February 14th, 2017 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Music Ascension was asked by SHINE MSD, a non-profit organization established by parents of the students, to work with their children as part of a Healing Through The Arts initiative called Camp Shine. This songwriting & recording process was a true reclamation of their space as it took place in a classroom less than 250 feet from where tragedy struck and offered students an opening towards healing the trauma they, their families, and community will live with always.
We are thrilled to share that our very first Arts Partnership established more than 20 years ago has reached and enjoyed it’s founding vision for more than a decade! The Project Morry songwriting & recording studio has been in the inspired and capable hands of former participants and trainees of the Music Ascension Program at Morry’s Camp! Continued best wishes and gratitude for the stewardship Shawntay, Raphael, Dwayne, Shawtima, and Jonathan have provided over the course of these last years. CONGRATULATIONS to all !!!
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 we interact with. Starting primarily as a niche music program for New Jersey Schools of Special Education and NYC public schools, Music Ascension has blossomed into a versatile music education company working with non-profits, residential summer and day camps, community outreach organizations and after school programs. We have built 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 young people the voice and the platform they deserve.
Young people are deeply and powerfully moved when we show them that we are indeed listening.
