A new chapter of the American Music Initiative (AMI) is bringing free, structured music education to students in Liberty City.
The organization has partnered with Charles Drew K-8 Center and the The TACOLCY Center to launch the AMI Afterschool Music Academy, a program focused on orchestral percussion and foundational music literacy for students in grades 2 through 8.
The academy serves 59 students per week at no cost to families.
Building Within the Community
Rather than creating a separate afterschool program, AMI embedded its academy into TACOLCY’s existing afterschool structure at Charles Drew K-8 Center. Leaders say the decision was intentional — designed to strengthen arts access without competing for the same pool of students.
From January through February alone, AMI delivered 864 hours of free music instruction. Based on comparable private lesson and enrichment rates, that level of programming would cost families an estimated $4,050 per child. Through AMI’s model, families pay nothing.
As a result of the collaboration, the program’s weekly reach expanded from 30 students to 59.
From First Notes to First Showcase
Students in the academy receive instruction in:
- Orchestral percussion
- Rhythm development
- Music reading and notation
- Scale training
- Ensemble performance
According to AMI President Arbie Nickerson, many students entered the program with no prior music literacy.
“In our Afterschool Music Academy in Liberty City, most of our students had never played an instrument before joining AMI,” Nickerson said. “Within 20 days, they were reading music and performing on at least two instruments in time for their first showcase on February 12. Our kids have shown what is possible when you give them structure, access, and the space to be creative. Every child deserves that opportunity, regardless of their zip code.”
A Proven Impact — and a Second Chance
For some families, the academy marks the return of opportunities that were previously lost.
Shanice Brown, mother of 5th grader Laniyah Labady, says music education has been transformational for her daughter. Laniyah previously studied under Nickerson in an earlier afterschool program and, in third grade, earned a $10,000 scholarship to attend the prestigious Interlochen Center for the Arts summer camp in Michigan.
That earlier program was later removed after funders determined enrollment numbers from the zip code were not sufficient to sustain funding.
“Having music back is a sense of joy and connection,” Brown said. “It reminds us how powerful and creative it can be. It gives students and families a meaningful way to connect.”
A National Model Starting in Liberty City
Liberty City now serves as AMI’s pilot chapter and national proof of concept. The organization was founded with a long-term goal of expanding free, structured music education into major cities across the country.
Leaders say the aim is to establish sustainable chapters that partner with schools and community-based organizations to ensure consistent arts access for students, regardless of geography or income.
For AMI, Liberty City is the first step in building a scalable model designed for replication nationwide.
This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.
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