The Learning to Fly
Program
Helping Vermont kids share in the joy and power of music.
now in our 4th year in 2024 with a new class!
in 2020, the FRIENDS FOR A_DOG foundation AND THE BURLINGTON MUSIC DOJO were AWARDED a $20,000 GRANT FROM ORGANIZATIONS AFFILIATED with the ROCK BAND PHISH IN AN EFFORT TO SUPPORT YOUNG VERMONTERS THROUGH the ‘LEARNING TO FLY’ STUDENT PROGRAM.
a new opportunity for aspiring musicians, we’re thrilled to now be in our 3rd year with another class of 5 amazing students!
The Mockingbird Foundation, the all-volunteer non-profit organization run entirely by fans of Vermont rock band, Phish, and Phish’s own Waterwheel Foundation have announced a grant of $20,000 to be awarded to mission-driven, Queen City based non-profit organization Friends for A_Dog Foundation Ltd. (FFA_D) in partnership with music education hub, The Burlington Music Dojo. Upon the announcement of a $10,000 grant award from the Mockingbird Foundation, WaterWheel Foundation generously matched the award dollar for dollar, which will go toward supporting the carefully curated “Learning to Fly” music program. The new program will provide music lessons and instruments for select students across Vermont. The partners were awarded the grant after successfully advancing through one of the most competitive grant-making processes in the nation.
Founded in honor of the late, famed Burlington turntablist and skateboarder, Andy “A_Dog” Williams, FFA_D has partnered with The Burlington Music Dojo to create a program that speaks to the love and passion Andy had for music. Friends For A_Dog board member, Justin Remillard and Dojo founder, Aram Bedrosian, joined forces to design the “Learning to Fly” program which will completely fund music lessons for approximately 20 to 24 students over the course of four years. The students will range from sixth through twelfth grade and will be outfitted with an instrument of their choice. The “Learning to Fly” program is set to launch January 18th, 2021 and all students across Vermont will be encouraged to apply. The application process will begin on September 14th, 2020.
“Although Andy was best known as an incredible DJ and world-class skater, it was Andy’s love for bass guitar and making his first mixtapes in high school that served as a catalyst to his creative musical path,” says life-long friend of Williams, Justin Remillard. “With The Burlington Music Dojo being the robust studio of live music instruction that it is, we knew it would be a great idea to pursue this partnership and grant together and offer live music programming to those that may not have such an opportunity. The “Learning to Fly” program will be a direct reflection of Andy’s character and life as a musician.”
“The larger the class, the less personal attention a student gets. Some people thrive in larger environments, but there are particular students who learn the best when they’re one on one with an instructor,” says Aram Bedrosian, bass instructor and founder of The Burlington Music Dojo. “At these formative ages, the scope of the impact that a private music lesson can make on a child’s life is immeasurable.”
The Mockingbird Foundation announced a total of twenty new grants this year totaling $141,263 in support of music education for children. Being particularly impressed with two applicants from this year’s submissions, Phish’s own WaterWheel Foundation was able to match funds to enhance the grants awarded to FFA_D and The Burlington Music Dojo, as well as a grant providing a Northeastern Vermont school with funds towards student instruments. Proceeds are generated through fundraisers, books, recordings, art, donations and special events, all of which celebrate the music of Phish.
About Friends for A_Dog Foundation
Friends for A_Dog is a Vermont-based foundation founded in 2013, with the mission of keeping Andy "A_Dog" William's legacy of positivity and generosity alive by offering free workshops for the creation of art, music and skateboard culture to area youth. Primarily serving those with financial need, FFA_D provides scholarships as well as professionally taught classes to further the recipients' knowledge and expertise in these areas. The Foundation also campaigns for the critical need for bone marrow donor-ship by hosting bone marrow drives and by educating the public on the specific challenges that patients of mixed ethnicity face.