Our Story
In the summer of 2019, our founder and Executive Director Sara Maria Blanton bought 12 violins out of pocket and began to partner with local non-profit, Refugee Hope Partners to start a free violin class for any interested elementary students. She had worked in El Sistema inspired music programs since 2016 and hoped to find a way to combine her private lessons studio and work with Refugee Hope Partners into one El Sistema inspired nonprofit.
Since then, Raleigh Music Collective has grown from the first 12 kids to over 150 in both private lessons, group classes, ensemble rehearsals, and camps. The program aims to actively integrate diverse Raleigh communities through music education by offering lessons and group classes to those who can afford tuition as well as those who need financial assistance.
In December of 2019 at our first Winter Showcase, students from the refugee community as well as our private lessons studio all joined together to put on a fantastic evening of celebration and music. That truly set the tone for the program and cast a vision for a textured music program that gives young musicians the chance to meet, collaborate, and grow with children from different backgrounds, races, and experiences.
Since then, RMC has grown to two primary, community-based strategic locations now host our tuition free classes - the original Cedar Point Apartments location and our South Raleigh program. Our beginner elementary classes take place at Peach Road Cultural Center and our nucleo that house all returning students and middle/high school beginners is currently looking for a new location. If you have a community partner who is excited about supporting the next generation of musicians, please contact us!
Our Mission
Through weekly instruction, both in one-on-one and group settings, we offer students rigorous music education that will transform their lives into ones filled with hope, creativity, and joy!
Our Vision
To foster a diverse musical community of musicians to pursue a life filled with creativity and collaboration.