MUSIC IN BLOOM

MUSICAL EMPOWERMENT PLANS A NIGHT OF MUSIC, CONNECTION AND GIVING

[CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Aug. 21, 2025] — Musical Empowerment—a nonprofit organization that provides free, one-on-one music lessons and mentorship to underserved children—invites supporters to attend its inaugural fundraising evening, “Music in Bloom,” on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

Musical Empowerment pairs college student volunteers with K-12 students who would otherwise lack access to music education. Each collegiate mentor teaches their mentee music, and the organization provides instruments to mentees at no cost.

“Music in Bloom” will take place at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, less than a mile away from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where Musical Empowerment was established in 2002. Since its founding, Musical Empowerment has expanded from a small student organization to a national nonprofit, including eight active chapters across North Carolina, New Hampshire, New York and California.

“Musical Empowerment has spent 23 years building deep relationships within the [North Carolina] Triangle community, cultivating support for some of our most vulnerable youth,” said Katie Battle, the executive director of Musical Empowerment.

At “Music in Bloom,” Musical Empowerment will celebrate 23 years of service and mentorship. The organization will also recognize the 2025 recipient of the Meredith Richard Scholarship, which awards an outstanding mentee with one year of professional music lessons, building upon their mentor’s instruction.

Battle emphasized that Musical Empowerment’s successes have been made possible by years of support from its community of donors and supporters.

“We paired almost 300 students last year with dedicated college mentors and can continue to reach even more students in the future,” said Battle.

“Music in Bloom” will bring the Musical Empowerment community together for a night of food, stories and fellowship, accompanied by live music from local post-folk trio The River Otters.

“This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our community for investing in our youth and supporting the arts and arts education,” Battle said. “It’s shaping up to be a magical evening.”

To learn more about Musical Empowerment, visit its website: https://musical-empowerment.org/. To inquire about “Music in Bloom,” email Executive Director Katie Battle at katie@musical-empowerment.org.

About Musical Empowerment

Musical Empowerment is a nonprofit organization that provides free, one-on-one music lessons and mentorship to underserved children through partnerships with university student volunteers. Since its founding in 2002 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the program has expanded to multiple chapters across the nation and continues to foster access, equity and joy through music.

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Contact Information:

Musical Empowerment

Katie Battle, Executive Director

(919) 306-3449

katie@musical-empowerment.org