Community Connections Partner: Key to Change Studio

Key to Change empowers underserved youth through world-class music instruction. The organization’s violin and viola lessons give students the chance to develop their sound while gaining important skills — such as discipline, preparation and self-awareness — that set them up for success in music and in life. Key to Change gives young artists a place to belong and support one another, fostering leadership, community and meaningful relationships. At a time when music instruction in public schools is severely under-resourced, equitable access to these kinds of learning experiences is critically important.

Dr. Quinton Morris founded Key to Change in 2017 after returning from the 25-city world tour of his short film, The BREAKTHROUGH, which combined solo and chamber music recitals with educational outreach and community service in under-resourced communities around the globe. Everywhere he went — from Tanzania to Australia — students were curious, excited to learn and passionate about sounding good on their instruments. Inspired, Dr. Morris returned home to Washington, determined to give back to the community that raised him. Dr. Morris grew up in a single-parent Renton household and was the only Black student in his high school orchestra. To get to his violin lessons, he had to take three buses across the Seattle metro area to study with Walter Schwede, then Associate Concertmaster of the Seattle Symphony (1984–1997). He experienced firsthand the financial and cultural barriers that many students in South King County face when studying classical music.

Today, Key to Change’s String Studio serves middle and high school students — primarily students of color — from underserved communities across South King County, including Renton, Kent, Auburn, White Center, Rainier Beach, Des Moines and Federal Way. Since its inception, Key to Change has provided music instruction to hundreds of students, 91 percent of whom continue with the program year after year. With essential support from donors, the organization is proud to provide scholarship assistance to over 90 percent of its students, ensuring that high-quality violin and viola instruction is accessible to anyone who wishes to learn.

Key to Change is one of more than 70 partners in the Seattle Symphony’s Community Connections program, which provides complimentary tickets to nonprofit organizations across the Puget Sound region.

In Your Community This Month: Join the Seattle Symphony on Tuesda, October 24, 2023, at 7:30pm, as the orchestra returns to Renton’s IKEA Performing Arts Center for an exciting FREE concert in collaboration with Key to Change Studio. Walk-ups also welcome.