HISTORY
"Participating in the Song Rise Arts Young Artists Program is one of the most meaningful things I’ve done. As a Professional Music Mentor, I’ve been deeply moved by how affirmed students feel, how their curiosity and confidence grows." - Rebecca Jordan Smith (Songwriter for Prince & Kelly Clarkson, taught at NYU)
Song Rise Arts was founded in response to the striking connection between youth homelessness and public systems like foster care, CPS, and juvenile justice. In 2020, 37% of young adults experiencing homelessness in Travis County had been in foster care. There is a gap in support for transition-age youth (14-26) in particular.
As a songwriting teacher and music director at a premiere arts summer camp, Song Rise Arts Founder Kelley McRae witnessed the transformative nature of songwriting for teens and young adults. She envisioned offering songwriting programs to vulnerable youth in Austin who would not otherwise be able to access them because of systemic marginalization and other barriers.
Meetings with the Dept. of Family and Protective Services, Preparation for Adult Living and Partnerships for Children confirmed the need for the kind of lasting connections, experiential learning and mental health support that Song Rise Arts provides.
Song Rise Arts registered as a 501(c)(3) in late 2018 and began programming in 2019. Since then, 45 young people have gained access to classes, mentoring and performance opportunities through our Young Artist Program, Thrive Mentoring Program and annual live event. We have also taught hundreds of students in free workshops for partners including Lifeworks, Kids in a New Groove and Austin Soundwaves.
In 2019 and 2022 we served 14 veterans through our My Story, My Song program, a workshop series for women veterans designed to bring healing and hope to participants through the power of storytelling and songwriting.
Emerging leaders develop through opportunities for our students to take on roles as our teaching assistants and peer support specialists.
Our students live at intersections of oppressive systems that ignore the heart of their need for stability and connection, so our work requires a responsive approach. Our students’ input shapes our programs every step of the way. We maintain small class sizes and our teachers are equipped with trauma-informed training about building trust, safe boundaries, engaging your story gently, somatic awareness and resiliency.
Song Rise Arts exists to break the cycle of isolation stemming from socio-economic challenges, mental illness and a history of abandonment.