Key to Change Wins Grant to Expand Teaching Staff

Key to Change is the recipient of a capacity-building grant, which will be used to fund a national search and hire a music instructor

Pictured from L to R: Dr. Quinton Morris with Pitch Your Peers Seattle members Linda Floyd and Jody Kris. They presented Key to Change with a grant in the amount of $119,175.00.

Last Saturday at our Student Holiday Concert, Key to Change announced that Pitch Your Peers (PYP), Seattle awarded the organization with a grant of $119,175, which will be used to conduct a national search to hire a new music instructor. The new music instructor will join forces with the music staff to teach group and individual violin and viola lessons, and serve as a community liaison instructor for orchestra teachers in public schools.

Key to Change was invited to apply for the competitive grant in the summer of 2023, competing against other deserving non-profit organizations from across King County. The process consisted of written submissions, a site visit, meetings with PYP members, and a presentation for PYP’s membership, before receiving the top grant award.

“We are thrilled to know that our funds will help Key to Change fill the gaps left by underfunded public school music programs. By offering access to exceptional music education, Key to Change creates transformational musical and life experiences,” said Erin Krawiec, Co-Founder and President of Pitch Your Peers, Seattle. “Our members truly see the value of breaking down the systemic barriers standing between King County students and world-class music instruction.”

“Hiring a new music instructor to help serve middle and high school students in South King County with affordable, world-class music instruction will be a top priority,” said Dr. Quinton Morris, music instructor and executive director & founder of Key to Change. “I look forward to hiring a colleague who will join us in this important work”.

Key to Change has experienced enormous growth consistently over the past four years, resulting in numerous students taking violin and viola lessons across South King County. Students have performed as guest soloists with professional and regional orchestras, met Dr. Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States, participated in various community outreach events, and performed in guest artist masterclasses with renowned musicians and professors.

“We are incredibly grateful to PYP for this transformative grant and we are excited for the impact these resources will have on our incredible students,” said Robert Simonds, Development Officer of Key to Change. “In particular, we appreciate the tireless work and advocacy of PYP members Linda Floyd and Jody Kris on Key to Change’s behalf”.

An advertisement for the national search will begin this spring. The music instructor is expected to begin teaching at the string studio in the fall 2023 trimester.