Music Residency

ROARING FORK VALLEY + COLORADO RIVER VALLEY

VOICES’ Music Residency has stepped in to fill critical gaps left by funding shortages in regional music programs. It gives the next generation an opportunity to activate an inner expressiveness. Through learning about guitar and drumming, collaborating in music making and songwriting, our youth develop a sense of belonging and community.

Since 2017,  VOICES Music Residency has been weaving music into the fabric of schools across the Roaring Fork Valley. This program introduces guitars, drums, and the art of songwriting into classrooms—sparking creativity and giving students new ways to share their voices. Our recent residency at Carbondale Community School was no exception. Students built rhythms together, crafted original songs, and found a shared sense of pride and belonging. Music is a vital part of youth development, strengthening cognitive skills, supporting mental health, and helping young people build resilience and connection.

The ripple effects of the residency were felt far beyond the classroom walls. Music became a bridge—connecting students to themselves and each other in new, powerful ways. One student, once hesitant to explore new interests, found a spark through the beat of a drum and the strum of a guitar. It’s moments like these that remind us why the Music Residency matters: it opens doors to self-expression, confidence, and community—one song at a time.