Learning to Fly

Learning to Fly — student applications are currently closed
 

How It Started

Friends For A_Dog and the Burlington Music Dojo received a $20,000 grant from organizations associated with the rock band Phish to launch Learning to Fly. That original funding helped create a new opportunity for aspiring young Vermont musicians, with the student program beginning in January 2021.

 
Bass guitar lessons at Burlington Music Dojo

About “LTF”

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 range from sixth through twelfth grade and are outfitted with an instrument of their choice. The “Learning to Fly” program launched in the Fall of 2020 and all students across Vermont are encouraged to apply.

Student playing saxophone

Our Grant

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 program provides 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.

Playing and singing together

Also…

The Mockingbird Foundation announced a total of twenty new grants this year totalling $141,263 in support of music education for children. Being particularly impressed with two applicants from the 2020 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.

 

Our Partners

 

Mentions in the Media

 

Media Contacts