Roots & Wings
Bringing Music Where It's Needed MostMUSIC CHANGES LIVES.
Access to music education can change the course of a life, a neighborhood, and an entire community. Roots & Wings is The Front Porch’s music education program designed to build musicians from the inside out. We partner with organizations committed to serving people in challenging circumstances to offer music classes and experiences throughout the community, free to participants. Roots & Wings focuses on the importance of creating trusting relationships in order to open the creative musical potential of everyone.
See the impact
Experience the joy of our Roots & Wings program, which brings no-cost music education to hundreds of preschoolers and elementary students in classrooms that don’t have dedicated music programs.
Current Programs
Where We Go
Outreach Teaching Artists
Lillie Williams, West African dance
Lillie is a West African dance instructor with 20 years of experience. She is the director of Charlottesville’s Chihamba Dance Troupe.
Theo Herrin, singer-songwriter, guitar
Theo is a Charlottesville native who studied music at William and Mary. He returned to Charlottesville in 2020 to start teaching for The Front Porch and pursue a music career.
Erynn McLeod, singer-songwriter, guitar
Erynn is a singer-songwriter at the crossroads of folk and Broadway. She has a special talent for working with young children, and is currently writing and recording an original children’s album.
Joseph Nichols, bass, production
Joseph is a jazz bass player and music producer with a bachelor’s degree in music from James Madison University. He currently performs, teaches, and freelances in Charlottesville and Harrisonburg, VA.
Clara George, hospice musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter
Clara moved from San Francisco to Charlottesville in 2020. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and has been singing with hospice and memory care patients since 2010.
Addison Gardner, singer-songwriter, guitar
A trained vocalist for over 15 years, Addison earned a BA in Music Education and MA in Divinity from TCU and Brite Divinity School, respectively. Addison is now combining her passions of teaching music and providing compassionate care as she works in hospice chaplaincy while teaching with the Front Porch!
Raised in Staunton, Craig has been a ‘uketivist’ for over 15 years. With an encouraging and positive style, he creatively unites singers of all ages to join together in music.
Devon grew up at Twin Oaks in Louisa, VA. She is a multi-faceted musician infusing her rock, folk, indie style in everything she creates as she connects with her community.
Lucas’ love of piano began at an early age. He welcomes the chance to play with youth and seniors alike.
Family music was the focus of his childhood in Central, VA, and has remained his career and hobby ever since. He loves jamming with other musicians and sharing stories, traditions, and songs in our community.
A classically trained vocalist, Sydney grew up in North Carolina and loves music from around the world. Creativity, improvisation, and child-led play is at the center of her teaching.
see what other folks have to say:
Students
Teachers
Performing Artists Hired
Stronger Community
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