ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Walk through the doors of Rock Academy in Asheville and the sound of music immediately fills the building.
Drums echo down the hallway, a bass line pulses in steady rhythm, and a young vocalist sings confidently over the band. But behind every chord and chorus is something even more powerful: Opportunity.
That opportunity comes through Give to the Music, a nonprofit founded in 2011 with one goal — to make music accessible to every child who dreams of playing, regardless of their financial situation. Leading that mission is Dena Clark, director of The Rock Academy and director of the nonprofit, located off Patton Avenue.
Clark’s journey into the role began not as an administrator, but as a parent.
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Her children were students at the school, and she became deeply involved with the program. For eight years she volunteered on the board, helping raise money and support the academy’s work in the community. When the original owner retired, Clark stepped forward to continue the program’s mission.
She says the decision came from seeing firsthand how music can impact young people’s lives.
“So many kids would love to have music and they aren’t necessarily able to afford it,” Clark said. “I wanted to be part of something that made that possible — especially here in my hometown.
For some students, the love of music starts at home. Alexis, a bassist in the academy’s working band program, says her instrument was almost chosen for her because of her family’s musical background.
“My father played the bass and my uncle played the bass,” Alexis said. “So I was kind of deemed to pick the bass.”
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Family influences often spark a lifelong connection to music. But students say what keeps them coming back is not just learning notes and chords — it’s the experience of making music together.
Instructors at the academy emphasize that students learn far more than technical skills. Playing in a band requires collaboration, communication and respect for one another’s creativity. Each member contributes ideas and works together to shape the music.
The environment encourages teamwork and cooperation. Students learn to listen to one another, support their bandmates, and value both their own creative ideas and the ideas of others. Educators say these lessons often become life skills that extend well beyond music.
The nonprofit initiative Give to the Music helps make those opportunities possible for students who might not otherwise have access to them. Since it was founded in 2011, the program has raised approximately $300,000, donated hundreds of instruments and provided numerous music lessons while also supporting community outreach efforts.
Each year the organization typically helps between 10 and 12 students gain access to instruments and music education they might not otherwise be able to afford. The goal is simple: Many children want to learn music but face financial barriers that prevent them from getting started. By providing instruments and lessons, the program helps open that door.
For many students, the Music Academy of Asheville becomes more than just a place to take lessons. It becomes a community.
Mikey, a student in the academy’s Metal Mondays band program, first began by taking drum lessons before learning about the opportunity to join a band.
“At first I started with just taking drum lessons,” Mikey said. “Then we heard there were programs where you could play in a band if you wanted to.”
That discovery led him to perform and even sing alongside other students who shared his passion for music.
“I met a bunch of good friends through here,” Mikey said. “It’s been really awesome.”
Educators involved with the program say the benefits of music go far beyond the stage. Music encourages creativity, builds social connections and can even help students improve academically by developing discipline and focus. Most importantly, programs like these give young people a place where they can have fun, express themselves and feel like they belong.
By providing access to instruments, lessons and opportunities to perform in bands, initiatives like Give to the Music and Rock Academy are helping more students experience the joy and lifelong benefits of music.
For many of them, that journey begins with something simple — picking up an instrument and finding their place in the band.