Transforming Lives . . . Through the Power of Music
Our Purpose
Today, young people around the world are dealing with a sense of disconnection, loneliness, depression and low self esteem.
Millions of youth are growing up in difficult circumstances including war, refugee crises, ethnic hostilities, and widening educational and economic disparities. Teen mental health has become a global pandemic.
Songrise International (formerly Music Camp International) helps young people around the world discover and develop their dignity and unlock their potential — all through the power of music.
Our Vision
In the last 25 years through both its Music Camps and afterschool Musedics programs, it has worked with over 40,000 young people, empowering them to dream new dreams and reach for the sky.
Our programs are built on a simple but powerful truth: Making Music with other people helps build confidence and connect communities.
We see a world where every young person, regardless of their personal history, stands tall with dignity and selfconfidence, is prepared to face life’s challenges with resilience and strength and is poised to chase their dreams. We see making music together as a bridge – a universal experience that connects and empowers them to overcome the challenges that keep people apart.
Our Strategy
Our programs bring this vision to life by reaching young people in schools, orphanages, community centers—even in refugee settings. We work across social, economic, political, ethnic, religious, and geographic boundaries to create a sense of belonging—one big family, united through music and shared humanity.
We conduct both on-location and virtual program, in major cities, rural areas and war zones.
We offer two primary programs:
Music Camp International
• Week-long immersive experiences culminating in a professionally accompanied public concert
• Includes choir and instrument instruction (violin, cello, Orff percussion instruments, handbells, recorder, guitar), with adaptive curriculum levels
• Serves young people ages 12 - 18 including some with special needs
• Delivered both on-location and virtually
Musedics International
• Semester-bassed ensemble music classes - both virtual and on-location.
• Includes choir and instrument instruction (recorder, violin, guitar) with adaptive curriculumm levels
• Serves young people in schools, orphanages, foster care, and community centers as well as refugees ages 12 -18
• Offers international/global connection
Our Impact
Making music builds confidence, connects communities, and advances academic performance.
We’ve seen these results firsthand. Since 2001, through our Music Camps and after-school Musedics programs, we’ve reached more than 40,000 young people— helping them unlock their potential and imagine new possibilities for their future.
Here’s what the research and our experience show:
• Music supports social and emotional wellness.
• Music strengthens resilience and fosters social bonds.
• Music builds bridges across social, economic, political, and cultural divides.
• Music engages all eight regions of the brain—boosting cognitive development, enhancing memory, and improving sensory-motor coordination.
• Participating in music supports mental health and emotional regulation.
• When young people connect through music, prejudice fades and empathy grows.
But our work is far from finished.
The Need
After nearly 25 years of transforming lives through the power of music, we are facing a pivotal inflection point:
• Demand is surging. Government agencies and global organizations are reaching out to collaborate.
• To reach more youth, we must forge new strategic partnerships.
• We need to enlarge our donor base, expand our infrastructure and staffing and increase our visibility.
• To fuel our expansion, we need to deepen and expand relationships with major donors.
We have a bold vision, and with your help, we can make it a reality.
We invite you to become a partner in building this global movement — to invest in a proven approach that brings connection, resilience
dignity, hope, and self-confidence to young people.
From Support to Transformation
Program
Expansion . . . They are waiting for us!
• Expand Musedics to more orphanages in India and begin virtual classes in Egypt by 2026 (working with Syrian refugees).
• Fund Micro Music Hubs — (war zones in Ukraine) Virtual Musedics classes that are international, interactive, and conducted in real time for small groups of five children.
• Fund an on-location Music Camp in Bungoma, Kenya (November 2025).
• Recruit and train teachers and interns in our curriculum and methodologies to expand our reach to new countries and continents as well as serve the growing demand of students in countries where we already work.
• Purchase instruments for schools and students to use in orphanages and Micro Music Hubs.
Our goal is to raise $100,000 by December 31, 2025
Major Gifts:
Support our mission with a transformational investment.
One-time gifts, multi-year pledges, matching grants, Donor Advised Funds (DAF’s) and planned gifts all make signnificant impact.
$10,000, $20,000, $25,000, $50,000
Recurring Donations:
Your regular support proides the sustainable funding we need to keep our programs running and to plan for future growth. Monthly or quarterly contributions of any size make a lasting difference.
Corporate and Civic Club Sponsorships:
Underwrite progams in specific regions, countries or orphanages where you have interest in providing community support.
Partnerships and In-Kind Support
• Join us as a technical partner or resource connector.
• Provide facility rennovation
We invite you to partner with us as we expand our commitment to bring dignity, hope and self-confidence to the youth of the world - transforming their lives and giving them the strength and resilience to face tomorrow’s challenges with compassion and community.
Connie Fortunato Founder and President