The Empower a Rising Star (EARS) Music Scholarship Program was created to remove financial barriers that prevent talented young people from accessing high-quality music instruction. Since its inception, EARS has provided scholarships to students in grades 4–11 throughout the Mon Valley region, ensuring that cost is never the deciding factor in whether a child can learn an instrument, join an ensemble, or develop their artistic voice. The program covers lesson tuition and, when needed, instrument access, creating a comprehensive support structure that enables students to participate fully and confidently. What began as a simple idea—to make music education accessible to every child who wants to learn—has grown into one of Mon Valley Academy for the Arts’ most impactful initiatives.

EARS is widely recognized as an innovative, community-powered model that blends grassroots fundraising, foundation support, and local partnerships to sustain access to the arts in a region where resources are often limited. In 2024, the program received the President’s Choice Crystal Award from the Washington County Community Foundation in recognition of its measurable impact, thoughtful design, and commitment to educational equity. That recognition affirmed what families and educators already knew: EARS is not simply a scholarship fund—it is a life-changing investment in young musicians, strengthening confidence, academic engagement, and long-term opportunity through music.

Support EARS: Empower A Rising Star

Every gift to EARS (Empower A Rising Star) helps remove financial barriers to music education, create meaningful opportunities for students, and support the professional musicians who teach them.

This year, Mon Valley Academy for the Arts has set an ambitious goal for WCCF Gives to raise $120,000, enough to provide 100 students with a full year of music instruction through 48 weeks of lessons at $25 per week, while continuing to welcome individual, business, and corporate donations on a rolling basis at any level.

You can make an impact at any level:

🎵 First Note – $25 – Donate Now
Provides one week of music instruction for a student.

⭐ Rising Star – $250 – Donate Now
Sponsors a 10-week EARS scholarship, giving a student the opportunity to develop new skills and discover a lifelong passion for music.

🎧 Listen Up Champion – $600 – Donate Now
Provides 24 weeks of music instruction while supporting mentorship and personal and professional development opportunities through our Listen Up initiative.

Priority is given to students who demonstrate financial need, ensuring that every donation has the greatest possible impact. Donors are also welcome to sponsor multiple students or make a gift in any amount. Every contribution brings us one step closer to making high-quality music education accessible to every child who wants to learn.

Listen Up: A Rising Star Launchpad

The success of EARS (Empower A Rising Star) and the generosity of our donors have inspired us to look even further into the future. This summer, we are expanding the program with the launch of Listen Up, a free summer music camp that combines music education with mentorship and personal and professional development opportunities for young people.

Scheduled for July 20 through July 23, Listen Up provides students with free music instruction while helping them build confidence, strengthen communication and leadership skills, develop teamwork and creativity, and learn from accomplished musicians and community leaders. To sign up, call 724-561-5616 or email info@monvalleyacademyforthearts.org. Together, EARS and Listen Up create a pathway that begins with access to music education and continues with opportunities for personal growth, artistic achievement, and lifelong success.

“Because of the incredible generosity of our sponsors and supporters, EARS has already opened doors for so many young people,” said Annette Buffer, President of Mon Valley Academy for the Arts. “Now we are building on that success with Listen Up and an ambitious vision for the future. Every gift helps provide access to high-quality music education, meaningful mentorship, and opportunities that can change a child’s life. Together, we are investing not only in the next generation of musicians, but in the next generation of leaders, creators, and engaged community members.”

To apply for an EARS scholarship, to sponsor a “rising star,” or for more information, call 724-561-5616 or email info@monvalleyacademyforthearts.org.

Donor Acknowledgements

Mon Valley Academy for the Arts gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the many individuals, businesses, foundations, and community organizations whose support has made the EARS (Empower A Rising Star) program possible. Their investments have helped remove financial barriers to music education, provided scholarship opportunities for students, and supported the talented professional music educators who make these life-changing experiences possible.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our individual donors: Ann Trynock, Duane Kromer, Carrie Kromer, Dan Watson, Annette Caruso, Jim Caruso, Cindy Furlong, Annette Buffer, Ricky Ricco, Carla DellaPenna, Lucretia McCory, Lou Antonucci, Chip Giannetti, Nettie DellaPenna, Camilla Ferraro, Peggy Ann Klinchenko, Sarah Morris, Connie Gore, Patty Thearle, Mary Pipik, SueAnne Antonucci, and the Ursic Family.

We are also grateful for the generous support of our business and corporate partners, including Community Bank, the American Eagle Better World Foundation, the M&T Bank Charitable Foundation, Highway Appliance, and The Glades Social Club in memory of Adam “Leaf” Geschwindner.

Our appreciation extends to our valued civic and community partners, including Brownsville Rotary, the Old Time Fiddlers, and Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services, Inc., whose commitment to strengthening our communities through the arts continues to make a meaningful difference.

We also recognize the foundations and institutional funders whose investments have helped expand access to high-quality arts education and programming, including the Washington County Community Foundation, the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, the Community Foundation of Fayette County, and The Pittsburgh Foundation.

In addition, Empower a Rising Star (EARS) is supported in part by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council through its Creative Sector Flex Fund grant program. Mon Valley Academy for the Arts has also received funding through Pennsylvania Creative Industries, powered by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts.

To every donor, sponsor, foundation, business, and community partner, thank you for believing in the transformative power of music and the arts. Your generosity is helping us expand EARS, launch the Listen Up initiative, and create new opportunities for students, families, and professional artists throughout our region.