Beyond the Bars

Beyond the Bars is based in Philadelphia and serves the adolescent population, ranging from middle to high school, who have been impacted by violence. The organization’s goal is to give this population easy access to music, so that they have the opportunity to recognize potential new passions in their lives. The organization has built music labs around the city, in locations such as shelters, trauma clinics and recreational centers. Beyond the Bars intends for the music education to work in three phases for dedicated members: self-expression, self-efficacy (realizing your talents), and then self-exploration (including talents in your future plans). Six students in the Beyond the Bars program have returned as teachers, and the $5,000 award will go toward student teaching training tracks, encouraging current members to take on leadership roles within this community.