Make Music With Us

Paisley Hampton was just 2 years old when she discovered her love of music and singing. Now, the 10-year-old has discovered the many ways that the Uptown Music Collective can help turn that passion into so much more. 

“When I first started at Uptown, I was excited, but nervous,” she said. “I can now say I gained a lot of knowledge and confidence in myself and my singing.” 

Senior guitarist Mackenzie Hakes feels the same way after spending five years as a Collective student. 

“Before joining the Collective, I was a really shy kid with a lack of confidence in myself,” she said. “I have grown as a musician and a person, and I’m learning how to break out of my shell and be more confident in myself and my abilities. I can say that I have performed in front of 1,000 people. I can say that I’ve opened for Kansas. I can tell people that I’ve shared the stage with Dylan Rockoff and Brennan Hepler. And, most importantly, I can say that I have met some of the best people in my life and learned things I will take with me in the future.” 

Drummer Bryant Cole, 12, has also been with the Collective for five years, but his love for music was often overshadowed by self-doubt and a lack of confidence in sharing his ideas. Music, he said, felt more like something he liked rather than something he was “good enough” to grow or perform confidently. 

“Since joining Uptown Music Collective, my relationship with music has changed a lot,” Cole said. “I feel more confident, supported and motivated. Being surrounded by mentors and peers who believe in me has helped me trust my abilities. Now music feels like a space where I belong and where I can continue to grow both as a musician and as a person.”

But what would happen if the Uptown Music Collective didn’t exist? 

“If Uptown Music Collective wasn’t here, students and the community would be missing a safe, supportive space where young people can grow, express themselves and feel like they belong,” Cole said. “Many students wouldn’t have access to quality music education, mentorship or opportunities to perform and collaborate with others who share their passion.”

We all know a Paisley, a Mackenzie or a Cole – maybe it’s in one of our own children, maybe it’s the kid next door or maybe we see a bit of them in ourselves. We all have the same thing in common – finding joy in bringing music into our own lives and sharing that out with the world. 

Our society is changing at a breathtaking pace. In troubled times, music can help guide us. Live performance connects and inspires us, drawing us together toward common ground. We hope you’ll consider supporting students like Paisley, Mackenzie and Cole, and the hundreds of others who call the Collective home each week.