Roots & Wings
Taking Music Where It's Needed Most
MUSIC 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 comprehensive music education program designed to build musicians from the inside out. We partner with organizations committed to serving children in challenging circumstances to offer group music classes and individualized musical mentorships in locations throughout the community. Roots & Wings focuses on the importance of creating trusting relationships in order to open the creative musical potential of children.
See the impact
Outreach Teaching Artists
Lillie Williams, West African dancer
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, guitarist
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, guitarist
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.
Emily Ellis, pianist
Emily is an accomplished early-childhood educator with a love of musical theater and all things music! She grew up in Greene County and began learning piano when she was five years old.
Jack Tierney, singer/songwriter, guitarist
Jack recently moved to Charlottesville from Richmond. He is currently writing and recording an original album, in addition to teaching for The Front Porch.
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.
Joseph Nichols, bassist, producer, teacher
Joseph is a jazz bass player/music producer with a bachelor’s degree in music from James Madison University. He currently performs, teaches, and freelances in Charlottesville and Harrisonburg, VA.
see what other folks have to say:
Roots and Wings Locations
- Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention -195 Peregory Ln, Charlottesville, VA 22902
- Walker Upper Elementary – 1564 Dairy Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
- Southwood Boys and Girls Club – 387 Hickory St, Charlottesville, VA 22902
- Westhaven Community Center -803 Hardy Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22903
- Burnley Moran Elementary – YMCA Afterschool – 1300 Long St, Charlottesville, VA 22901
- Greenbrier Elementary – YMCA Afterschool – 2228 Greenbrier Dr, Charlottesville, VA 22901
- Venable Elementary (Leadership Club) – 406 14th St NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903
- Mountain View Elementary – 1757 Avon Street Ext, Charlottesville, VA 22902
- Friendship Court Community Center – 418 Garrett St Charlottesville, VA 22902
- JABA (Jefferson Are Board for Aging) Shining Star Preschool – 674 Hillsdale Drive, Suite 9, Charlottesville, VA 22901
- MACAA (Monticello Area Community Action Agency) Head Start – 1025 Park Street, Charlottesville, VA – 22901
- Piedmont Family YMCA Early Learning Center – 233 4th St NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903
- Cherry Ave Boys and Girls Club – 1000 B Cherry Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903
- Jack Jouett Boys and Girls Club – 210 Lambs Lane, Charlottesville, VA 22901
- Johnson Elementary YMCA Afterschool – 1645 Cherry Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903
- Jackson-Via Elementary YMCA Afterschool – 508 Harris Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Students
Teachers
Performing Artists Hired
Stronger Community
Our Partners
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