Event benefiting Key to Change will honor ARTE NOIR founder Vivian Phillips with its inaugural Community Achievement Award
Seattle, WA – Key to Change presents its annual Spring Salon Fundraiser on Sunday, May 7, at Benaroya Hall to celebrate its students, honor community members making significant contributions to the arts community, and raise crucial funds to maintain the organization’s work to support underserved youth through music. Since 2017, Key to Change has transformed the lives of hundreds of youth in South King County.
“As someone who grew up in South King County, it is heartwarming to provide access to students who would normally not receive a high level of music instruction,” said founder and executive director Dr. Quinton Morris. “I grew up with limited resources and am honored to provide this service to the community. It has been a joy to watch students excel in our program and nurture their development as musicians and young leaders.”
The Spring Salon will feature student performances and awards, and honor ARTE NOIR founder Vivian Philips during the ceremony with its inaugural Community Achievement Award. A long-time civic arts leader, manager, and advocate, Philips will be honored for her outstanding contributions to youth development, the Black community, and the arts sector. Philadelphia-based Chef David Simms, whose client list includes government officials and world-famous musicians such as Elton John and Patti LaBelle, will cater the event. Former TV anchor Mark Wright, now the host of the BEATS WORKING podcast, will emcee.
Event sponsors include the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, 4Culture, Renton Municipal Arts Foundation, the Nesholm Family Foundation, US Bank, Seattle Symphony, Classical KING FM, Unmute the Voices, and United Negro College Fund.
This year’s Spring Salon comes at the end of Key to Change’s Solo String Festival, a multi-day string competition for middle and high school students who live and attend school in South King County. Tickets for Spring Salon must be purchased by Thursday, May 4. Those who can’t attend but would like to support can visit their site to donate online or find other ways to get involved with the nonprofit’s year-round efforts.
About Key to Change
Key to Change is a Washington State 501c3 nonprofit organization that has been inspiring underserved youth through world-class music instruction and supporting their development as self-aware leaders since 2017. Founded and directed by violinist, educator, and entrepreneur Dr. Quinton Morris, Key to Change strives to dispel the “starving artist” mentality and provide young artists with the educational tools and resources they need to grow and thrive as musicians and individuals.
Key to Change opened its violin studio in South King County to serve middle and high school students of color and economically disadvantaged backgrounds in Renton, Kent, South Seattle, Auburn, Maple Valley, White Center, Burien, and Federal Way neighborhoods. Dr. Morris opened the studio after returning from his 25-city BREAKTHROUGH World Tour, which paired chamber music recitals with educational outreach and community service in under-resourced communities around the globe. In addition to his duties as the founder of Key to Change, he is also an Associate Professor of Violin at Seattle University and the host of Unmute The Voices on Classical KING FM.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shelby Denckla, 425.276.1701, [email protected]
