Our story

Founded in 2010, the Atlanta Music Project transforms the lives of young people through world-class music training, extraordinary performance opportunities, and comprehensive college and career preparation.

Operating in under-resourced communities, the Atlanta Music Project's mission is to empower youth to realize their possibilities through music.

Our music programs consist of band, orchestra, and choir ensembles, as well as private lessons, summer music festivals, international performances, and college and career prep.

Thanks to our generous donors, all AMP programs are offered tuition-free. However, in exchange, commitment to the program schedule and to daily individual practice is expected from all participants.

Here is our story.

In 2009, Dr. José Antonio Abreu, the founder of Venezuela’s renowned El Sistema music education program, was awarded the TED Prize and granted one wish to change the world. His wish was to create a special training program for gifted young musicians to learn how to lead high-quality music education programs in under-resourced communities in the United States and beyond.

That same year, the New England Conservatory launched the Sistema Fellows Program, welcoming 10 fellows in its inaugural cohort. This cohort included bassoonist and eventual co-founder and leader of the Atlanta Music Project, Dantes Rameau.

During the one-year fellowship, the fellows were trained in nonprofit management, fundraising, and music education. The fellows also spent several months in Venezuela, where they were embedded within the El Sistema program to teach, perform, and learn.

Having followed the TED Prize and the development of the Sistema Fellows Program, Al Meyers, an Atlanta-based corporate executive and founder of TEDxPeachtree, contacted the New England Conservatory and offered to support a fellow interested in starting an El Sistema-inspired program in Atlanta.

By early 2010, Dantes and Al had connected in Atlanta, and the Atlanta Music Project was incorporated in February 2010. Interest in supporting the concept of an intensive, tuition-free music education program in Atlanta grew organically. TEDxPeachtree attendee Ben Cherian assisted with website and technology development. Phil Juravel, a CPA, assisted with bookkeeping. Atlanta native, trumpeter, and Sistema Fellow Stanford Thompson connected AMP with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, which offered AMP office space. Once AMP launched, Al Meyers became the founding Board Chair, Phil Juravel became the founding Board Treasurer, and Dantes Rameau was hired as CEO.

AMP soon connected with Camille Love, former Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of Atlanta, who offered AMP the opportunity to start an after-school music program at the Gilbert House, a city recreation center in the Perkerson neighborhood.

Several early donors were instrumental in allowing AMP to launch its programming. Major funding came from the Coca-Cola Foundation, AOL Artists, and the Sparkplug Foundation. In addition, 163 individual donors raised $20,000 through Kickstarter, contributing significantly to AMP’s establishment.

Launched in October 2010, AMP’s first program was guided by several core elements designed to benefit participating students and the broader community: high expectations for musical proficiency, professional teaching artists, the provision of musical instruments, an intensive program schedule, tuition-free access, and a location within an under-resourced community. Thirty elementary school students took part in AMP’s inaugural year and performed 10 concerts.

In 2012, Aisha Moody, AMP’s first choral teaching artist and current co-founder and Chief Program Officer, was accepted into the third class of Sistema Fellows at the New England Conservatory. She underwent the same training and spent time within Venezuela’s El Sistema program, similar to AMP Co-Founder Dantes Rameau. Upon returning from the fellowship, Aisha — a decorated choral music educator with more than a decade of experience teaching in Washington, D.C., and Cobb County Public Schools — led the founding of AMPlify, the choral program of the Atlanta Music Project. AMPlify’s launch was supported by 196 individuals who collectively contributed over $21,000 to the cause.

Year by year, AMP expanded to serve more students and provide extraordinary opportunities for them to express themselves and develop leadership through music. By 2018, AMP was serving 400 students annually through string, band, and choral programs. Private lessons were offered to the most talented and dedicated students. Summer programming was established to accelerate learning and provide safe, engaging spaces during the summer months.

At that time, AMP ensembles performed more than 50 concerts annually, not only in local community centers, but also in some of Atlanta’s most prestigious venues, including the Woodruff Arts Center, the Fox Theatre, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Today, AMP is based in the Capitol View neighborhood at the Atlanta Music Project Center for Performance & Education. AMP serves more than 800 students annually from first through twelfth grade, offering not only music training, but also international travel and competition opportunities, college and career preparation services, and college scholarships. AMP ensembles have performed internationally in Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand.

The majority of AMP’s more than 100 alumni are pursuing college degrees, with many majoring or minoring in music. Our alumni can be found at schools across the country, including Morehouse College, Spelman College, Georgia State University, the University of Georgia, Alabama State University, Harvard University, Tuskegee University, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State University, Clayton State University, Bard College, Boston University, Jackson State University, Berklee College of Music, Hampton University, Oglethorpe University, Florida State University, the University of Miami, and Loyola University. AMP alumni have been accepted to even more postsecondary institutions and have earned millions of dollars in scholarship offers.

Our story continues, and we invite you to join us. We encourage you to learn more about our people, our programs, ways to donate, and our many concerts and events.