
The New Music Business with Ari Herstand Save the Music Brings Music Education To Schools in Need
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Sep 10, 2025 In this engaging conversation, Henry Donahue, the Executive Director of Save the Music Foundation, discusses his mission to ensure equitable access to music education for students nationwide. He highlights innovative initiatives like the J. Dilla Grant, which empowers young musicians through donated instruments. The duo explores the evolution of music education, emphasizing modern technology's role and the importance of advocacy for underfunded schools. Donahue shares personal anecdotes about music's transformative power and the vital community support needed to keep music alive in education.
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Flexibility Is Key For Music Tech
- Music tech pedagogy isn't standardized; teachers vary in comfort and background with production tools.
- Grants are intentionally flexible to let teachers lean into their strengths and local student interests.
Partner Locally For Teaching Support
- Pair school grants with local nonprofits that provide DJing and production instructors.
- Use community partners to bring professional producers into classrooms and expand teaching capacity.
Production Pulls New Students In
- Production classes attract both existing music students and large numbers of new students.
- High demand can create tension between immediate beat-making engagement and teaching foundational theory.


