Inaugural Cristo Rey and Key to Change music class cohort
Following a successful pilot program earlier this year, Key to Change is expanding its partnership with Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle High School(CRJS) beginning this fall. The new three-year commitment will bring world-class music education to even more underserved students in Rainier Beach.
Cristo Rey’s students responded enthusiastically to the pilot program, and leaders from both organizations recognized the potential for a deeper, longer-term collaboration.
“Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle is delighted to deepen our partnership with Key to Change. CRJS and Key to Change are mission-aligned nonprofits that encourage young people to pursue excellence and reach their full potential,” said CRJS President Paul Hogan. “In addition to providing superb musical instruction, Key to Change is also employing CRJS students through our unique Work Study program–a true win-win partnership for both organizations and most importantly, for our students.”
“Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” said Executive Director & Founder of Key to Change, Dr. Quinton Morris. “This newly expanded partnership with Cristo Rey ensures that all students with a passion for the arts can thrive long-term. This is exactly the kind of growth we have envisioned as we enter our 10th anniversary in 2027.”
Not only does this new partnership extend our relationship, but it doubles the amount of instruction we provided during the pilot program. Beginning this fall, our faculty will teach multiple classes five days per week on Cristo Rey’s growing campus in Rainier Beach.
“Our CRJS pilot program was a huge success with a waitlist of students excited to join the class”, said Dr. Natasha Kubit, Music Instructor of Violin & Viola at Key to Change. “Students were successful with several performances and ended the semester with enthusiasm to continue next year.”
Reaching more students in Rainier Beach has long been one of our goals. This expansion brings high-quality music education directly into a community where access to the arts has been limited. While we have welcomed students from Rainier Beach to our Renton studio in the past, we believe that students should not have to leave their community to access world-class instruction. This partnership allows us to meet students where they are.
This is exactly the kind of growth we have envisioned, and it is taking place across every part of Key to Change. Enrollment is growing in our Renton and Federal Way studios, our community and school partnerships are expanding, and more students are participating in performances, academic programs, and music classes. The new Cristo Rey partnership is an important step forward within our larger growth story.
Thank you to all our supporters that have made this growth possible.
About Key to Change
Key to Change is a nonprofit music school with a mission to inspire underserved youth through world-class music instruction and support their development as self-aware leaders. The organization was founded in 2017 by Dr. Quinton Morris, a concert violinist, educator, entrepreneur, radio host, filmmaker, and native of South King County, Washington. Dr. Morris is also a Loyola Endowed Professor of Music and Professor of Violin at Seattle University. Key to Change serves middle and high school students (ages 11 to 18) in South King County, an area of the country where many students face financial and cultural barriers. To learn more about Key to Change, visit www.keytochangestudio.org
About Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle High School
Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle High School (CRJS) is a college-preparatory Catholic high school in Rainier Beach in Seattle, Washington, that welcomes students of all faith traditions. Founded in 2024, CRJS’s unique program integrates academic study and faith formation with professional work experience for students with demonstrated financial need. CRJS has a pathway partnership with Seattle University, where students with a 3.5 GPA or higher may receive 100% tuition funding for the University. CRJS is a member of the Cristo Rey Network® of Schools, a not-for-profit organization founded in Chicago in 2000 that provides youth who would not otherwise have access to high-quality academics and professional experience with deep preparation for post-secondary education and career opportunities. CRJS is the 40th school in the network. To learn more about Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle, visit www.cristoreyseattle.org
