United Sound is honored to announce it has received a $12,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities in support of its mission to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to meaningful music-making experiences.
Too often, middle and high school students with disabilities are left out of traditional instrumental music programs because teachers face large class sizes and limited resources to adapt curriculum. United Sound bridges this gap through its innovative peer mentoring model, pairing students with disabilities with their band, orchestra, and guitar peers. With the support of music educators and special education teachers, these students are welcomed into ensembles and given the tools to succeed through specialized curriculum, training, and adaptive resources.
This year, 14 schools across the greater Phoenix area will participate, reaching more than 600 students. The funding from Thunderbirds Charities will help United Sound strengthen its programs and provide additional opportunities for growth in the 2025–26 school year.
“United Sound is not just about teaching music, it’s about creating a culture of inclusion, respect, and belonging,” said Julie Duty, Founder and Executive Director. “Thanks to Thunderbirds Charities, we can continue to expand this important work and empower even more students.”
This grant is part of the Spring 2025 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.