This is a guest post by Averil Taylor, Lead Wind Teaching Artist for AMP & AMP Academy Coordinator. 

“I wish we had access to something like this when I was in school” is a phrase that I find myself repeating quite often at work. I am usually saying this when I see something outstanding at AMP’s wind site at the South Bend Center for Arts and Culture. I have been with AMP a little over three years now and I am still in awe that our young artists are able to learn how to play instruments like flute, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone at such an early age! I wish we had a program that offered instruments, highly qualified instructors, private lessons, major performances, hot meals, homework assistance, and all of the other bells and whistles that are part of the Atlanta Music Project when I was coming up in the DeKalb County School System! Because I realize the value of these components, I really get a great feeling when I work with the winds at the Atlanta Music Project. I think that I have a unique appreciation for the impact that this program can have on the lives of all of the people that it touches.

So as AMP embarks on it’s latest endeavor, the AMP Summer Series, I must add another major item to the list of things that AMP offers that I wish was available to me when I was younger. The AMP Summer Series is a tremendous opportunity designed to have the same intensity as any national major summer festival. The difference is that it will take place right here in Atlanta. This is a great chance for all students involved in the Summer Series to forge key relationships with private instructors and teaching artists. There will be six performances throughout the series along with special guest artists and master- classes. All students selected to participate in this program will receive a full tuition scholarship to cover the entire experience. This program is sure to fast forward the progress of all participants. I am really happy to be able to play a role in bringing this program to Atlanta’s youth. I would like to invite you to join us on our mission as we finish making this huge endeavor a reality. You can also play a part in bringing this opportunity to Atlanta by donating here. Your support is truly appreciated and will go a long way in making sure that the participants in the AMP Summer Series have the most impactful experience possible.