Off the Hook Arts is a nonprofit that has been enriching children’s musical passions in Northern Colorado for the past 4 years.
“Our mission is to provide free and low-cost music education for children in Northern Colorado,” Jephta Bernstein, the founder and executive artistic director, said. “I really like having the chance to interact with kids who might not get this kind of a level of music instruction because they don’t have the financial means to do it.”
Off the Hook Arts has four programs for children and the community of Fort Collins. The first and largest is the Chamber Music Academy, their after-school program that brings children and teens together to learn and grow as musicians.
While performers are in Northern Colorado, Off the Hook Arts offers educational residencies so the children have a chance to learn from them.
Another way Off the Hook Arts influences the community is the Project Youth and Chamber Music, or PYCh (pronounced “pitch”) in-school program. It enriches the musical vitality of five Poudre School District schools and is completely free to students.
The fourth program that Off the Hook Arts offers is the Summer Music Workshop. This is a 5-day workshop for arts and music classes that include activities for violin and viola players, music explorers and children interested in learning about the arts and sciences.
Parent, volunteer and grant writer Lisa Cunningham continually sees the impact not only in her children but also in the community.
“The mission is to help educate our community around all the possibilities with music and art and science and their interconnectivity and helping people explore their own personal relationships with the arts,” Cunningham explained. “This is just something that makes people’s hearts sing.”
This summer, until July 14, Off the Hook Arts is having its sixth annual Summerfest, bringing classical music and events into the city of Fort Collins. They are always looking for help with the children and community events.
To learn more about Off the Hook Arts click here
To volunteer click here
To find out more about SummerFest click here