Music is a universal tool for learning and engagement. It has the ability to teach, bring back fond memories and even heal.

Since 1988, Walker|West Music Academy, an organization dedicated to providing affordable music education and enrichment rooted in the African-American cultural experience, has been keeping both youth and adults engaged through music, be it singing or learning to play an instrument.

According to the Arts Education Data Project, while 92% of public schools have access to music education, more than 3.6 million students do not.

A disproportionate number of these students without access to arts education are concentrated in major urban or very rural areas where the majority of students are Black, Hispanic or Native American, and at schools with the highest percentage of students eligible for free/reduced-price meals.

Walker|West students range from infants to elderly. There you can learn to play anything on your instrument of choice, from Bach to Beyoncé.

The organization specializes in training students to play by ear. As the Executive Director of Walker|West Braxton Haulcy says, “Just as you teach a child to speak before you teach them to read or write, we want our students to speak on their instruments.”

The organization also has plans to collaborate with Hamline University to help high school juniors and seniors receive college credits. This career development initiative intends to create more career opportunities for Black and Brown youth in digital music production.

Watch our second episode of Corner Conversations with Chris Garner to learn more about what Walker|West is doing to make an impact on the community, and what you can do too.