Solo String Festival winners: Students earn scholarships, symphony debuts, and more
Mason Nguyen, first place winner of the Jessie Montgomery Competitive Division. A total of nine string players from Key to Change’s Concerto Competition, Jessie Montgomery and Debut Competitive Divisions have won solo guest appearances with orchestras, including the Seattle Symphony. Additionally, they earned free tuition at Key to Change as well as future college scholarships. […]
Key to Change receives transformative gift from anonymous donor
We are thrilled to share that an anonymous donor has pledged to donate $300,000 to Key to Change over a three-year period, $100,000 per year. This transformative investment will support the program’s growth so that we can serve more students across South King County. “From here we will build up our teaching capacity, reach more […]
Nine students on how they’ve improved and why they value Key to Change
As we gear up for our Spring Salon on May 4, we talked with a bunch of students about their experiences in our group classes, private lessons, Young Artist Academy and more. Check out their profiles below to hear them talk about how their playing has improved and what your support means to them. Angie […]
Student Violinist Wins Competition and Concert Debut
Laila West (age 16) was selected to perform as a soloist with the University of Washington Philharmonia Campus Orchestra on May 31 at Meany Hall for the Performing Arts. Laila will perform the first movement of Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in G minor. She was selected by two UW professors who listened to multiple students compete before awarding […]
Students perform national anthem for 17,000 at Climate Pledge Arena
On January 25, 2025, three talented Key to Change students —Sid Siravara, Eden Pawlos, and Mason Nguyen—took center ice at Climate Pledge Arena to perform the national anthem before a packed crowd of 17,000 hockey fans. With an arrangement by our own music instructor Geoffrey Liu, their performance moved the audience to sing along before the Seattle Kraken went on to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1.
Key to Change alumni inspire young artists at Seattle PTSA Reflections event
Key to Change alumni Zora Rose Mtunga (Seattle Central College, finance major) and Jolene Nguyen (University of Washington, biochemistry major) were the keynote speakers at the Seattle Council PTSA’s National PTA Reflections contest on February 2, 2025. The event celebrated a talented cohort of student artists from Seattle schools, along with their families, recognizing their […]
Honoring the legacy of Richard D. Swaisgood
Key to Change believes that world-class music instruction can have transformative effects in underserved communities. Today, we are grateful to share a story of generosity that will help sustain our mission. In August of 2023, we lost a remarkable supporter of the arts and social justice, Richard D. “Dick” Swaisgood. Dick was committed to causes […]
Our annual Holiday Concert brought the community together
Last Saturday, Key to Change hosted our annual Holiday Concert at our studio in Renton—and it was our most successful one yet! With record-breaking attendance and a standing-room-only crowd, the concert was a celebration of the season, our students, and our wonderful community. The festive afternoon event brought together a diverse audience of community members, […]
Alumna Malak Ali describes what your support means for students like her
Malak shares her journey with Key to Change, and the many ways it changed her life and future.
October was amazing—with student soloing alongside symphony orchestras, and a special masterclass
Two students performed as guest soloists, and one of the world’s best flutists gave a class at our Renton studio.
