IMPACT REPORT | 2025
What We Do CSU CORE MUSIC LEARNING PROGRAM High-quality violin, cello, upright bass and piano training and leadership development for 100 youth, ages 4-18, at partner locations: Roxbury YMCA, Twelfth Baptist ChurchRoxbury, Boston Centers for Youth and Families, and Remote via Zoom. CSU provides free instruments, lessons, and learning materials with a nominal $25 annual registration fee to help ensure full commitment to the program.
ARTS ADMINISTRATION APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (AAAP)
“PRACTICE BUDDIES” (INTERGENERATIONAL MENTORS) PROGRAM
Beginning in high school and extending into postsecondary years, while in college or pursuing postsecondary training, AAAP provides young musicians with paid training in arts administrative and management experience. At the end of the apprenticeship journey, the most successful participants can apply for permanent employment at CSU.
In 2024, in partnership with Friendship Works, CSU piloted “Practice Buddies”– a program model for intergenerational connections to create mutually beneficial relationships between students and seniors participating in the Friendship Works Program (age 60+).
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS To grow our impact, we work with Recruitment Partners who help us spread awareness and attract community youth who become CSU musicians, and Program Support Partners who provide rehearsal and classroom space, performance opportunities & aligned services.
Practice Buddies provide a supportive connection with a caring adult who can help foster more consistent practice and offer helpful advice, and ongoing encouragement.
In 2025: • Student enrollment increased 33% -- we now have 100 students enrolled in CSU’s Core Music Learning Program.
• We expanded the program to include Seniors On the Move in partnership with the Roxbury YMCA.
A hallmark of our program is that staff connect with students and families to address any access issues that may arise, such as the need for flexible scheduling & transportation to support continuity of student participation.
• CSU doubled the number of recruitment partners and deepened our collaboration with existing program support partners, resulting in 100 students served - and a waitlist of dozens of students who will begin in the fall of 2026.
• We employed 6 apprentices who provided peer mentoring, community outreach, social media, and program development support. 4 out of these 6 are alumni from CSU’s original 2012 pilot cello class.
Current partners include: Celebrity Series of Boston, Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, Epiphany School, Roxbury YMCA, Boston Centers for Youth & Families, Twelfth Baptist Church, Seniors On the Move