AXS TV ‘bands” together with our affiliate partners to award grants for school age music programs. We target programs that lack funding but have exemplary teachers, leadership, and instruction.

Why school age music programs?

Budget cuts have slashed music education programs since the 1990s, but research shows that music education at an early age provides many benefits that continue throughout students’ lives, and there’s a clear connection between music and other areas of study.

Early music education helps children:

• Improve academic achievement, communication skills, creativity, and teamwork
• Excel and stay in school and pursue higher education
• Boost attendance: 93% in school with programs versus 85% in those without
• Increase cognitive development: Connection between music and other areas of study
• Make better lifestyle choices: Greater self-esteem due to a well-rounded education

In November 2022 with our affiliate partner Spectrum, AXS TV awarded five $10,000 grants to schools in Spectrum’s service areas this fall totaling $50,000 in support of music education programs. Those schools include:

• In Los Angeles, CA we donated $10,000 to Heart of LA – HOLA
• In Columbus, OH we donated $10,000 to Eastmoor Academy
• In Dallas, TX we donated $10,000 to Billy Dade Middle School
• In Bradenton, FL we donated $10,000 to Prine Elementary
• In Jamaica, NY we donated $10,000 to Rochdale Early Advantage Charter School

Learn more about the schools below:

Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) Los Angeles, California

HOLA was founded 33 years ago in 1989 and now serves 3,100 youth, ages 6-24, through transformational afterschool programming that includes comprehensive academics, instrumental and choral music, visual arts, athletics, and family services. This academic year, HOLA’s Music Programs are serving nearly 300 students, for whom music education would otherwise not be possible, with comprehensive and world-class music instruction Teachers noted the joy and delight in students as they returned to in-person programming and reconnected with each other and re-engaged with the deeply impactful experience of making music together side-by-side.

On February 16, 2023, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Heather Hutt and Susana Cervantes, Field Deputy for Assembly member Miguel Santiago 54^th District, joined AXS TV and Spectrum to present $10,000 to Heart of Los Angeles’ (HOLA) music program. Tony Brown, Heart of LA, CEO held a check presentation ceremony covered by Spectrum News 1 and followed by a facility tour and music presentation by two of HOLA’s orchestras.

Attendees:

• Elected Officials: LA City Councilwoman Heather Hutt and Susana Cervantes, Field Deputy for Assemblymember Miguel Santiago 54th District
• HOLA: Tony Brown, CEO; Cristina Briskie-Wood, Chief Development Officer; Cheyenne Durocher
• Charter: Whitney O’Neill, VP Government Affairs; Adrianne Sears, Director, Government & Community Strategy; Stephen Sawyer, Director of Government Affairs
• AXS TV: Cindy Ronzoni, Public Relations; Michael Kim, Distribution; Todd Schoen, Distribution Marketing; Art Maulsby, Distribution Marketing

Dr. Billy E. Dade Middle School Dallas, TX

Dr. Billy E. Dade Middle School was recently named the #1 Comprehensive Middle School in the Dallas Independent School District. The school improved from a D-65 to a B-83. Dade is in the southern area of Dallas which has the highest crime and poverty rate in the city. They’ve worked to create a feeling of Home at Dade! Their scholars are revered as champions. They teach them to have a champion
mindset. Champions make mistakes but they never give up! Dr. Billy E Dade Middle School has an amazing music program to include: a full band and dance ensemble team. The music program services all students with a wide skillset from beginner to advanced band. We strive to instill not only an appreciation for music but a love for the arts in all students.

On December 8th AXS TV & Spectrum Band Together for Music Education awarded Dr. Billy E. Dade
Middle School a $10,000 grant to assist with their music program at their Winter Wonderland concert.
Dade Middle School is in the Dallas Independent School District.

Pictured left to right: Kike Brown (Assistant Principal Dade Middle School), Clem Maddox (Spectrum), Rockwell W. Stewart (Principal Dade Middle School), Art Maulsby (AXS TV), Natalie Nieves-Guerrero (Council Liaison to Dallas Council Member Adam Bazaldua’s Office).

Robert H. Prine Elementary School Bradenton, FL

Prine Elementary is a Title 1 school with approximately 760 students. The teachers and staff at Prine are committed to creating an environment that provides their students with a balanced, enriching curriculum that meets students’ academic and social/emotional needs. Prine’s music program is a safe place where kids can express who they are through musical outlet. Their philosophy is, “make good people through music.” Through collaboration, problem solving, and having fun, their class is more than just “sing this song.” They do their very best to connect these kids’ cultures and interests through their lessons.

On December 12 th , AXS TV & Spectrum Band Together for Music Education awarded the Robert H.
Prine Elementary School’s Music Department a $10,000 grant at their fourth grade Winter Concert. Prine
Elementary is a Manatee County public elementary school located in Bradenton, FL.

On December 12th, AXS TV & Spectrum Band Together for Music Education awarded the Robert H. Prine Elementary School’s Music Department a $10,000 grant at their fourth grade Winter Concert. Prine Elementary is a Manatee County public elementary school located in Bradenton, FL.

Eastmoor Academy Columbus, OH

Eastmoor Academy, located on the eastside of Columbus, Ohio, has a proud tradition of excellence in the arts from their award-winning theatre department and consistent output of quality material from the vocal and instrumental music departments. Eastmoor offers a Music Disabilities Body & Bucket Percussion class, Jazz Ensemble, String Orchestra, Music Theory and Marching Band/Concert Band as part of the instrumental music department. Coming off years of COVID protocols and hybrid scheduling, band participation and investment were low. Eastmoor hired a new band director, Mr. Najieb in August 2022, to establish a base of high expectations and a culture of success. This resulted in improvement in participation, ownership, and accountability amongst band members. Eastmoor will use the grant to repair existing instruments and to purchase new musical equipment and cases.

On December 8 th AXS TV & Spectrum Band Together for Music Education awarded Eastmoor
Academy a $10,000 grant to relaunch their Multiple Disabilities Music Program at their Winter Concert.
Eastmoor Academy is a Columbus City public high school located in Columbus, Ohio.

Pictured left to right: Gyneen Meyers (AXS TV), Lourdes Barroso (Columbus City Council), Faheem Najieb (Eastmoor Academy Instrumental Music Director), Alicia Fowler (Principal Eastmoor Academy), Tamara Howard (Spectrum).