Oregon Youth Benefit from Free Music Education

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the nonprofit Ethos, based in Portland, provides music education for kids regardless of their socioeconomic or geographic background. Founded in the mid 1990s as a response to severe budget cuts to school arts programs, Ethos still offers free or reduced-cost music education to Oregon youth.

Ethos offers private and group lessons, summer camps, and rural outreach. These all provide music education to more than 7,000 youth across Oregon, offered on a sliding pay scale.

The longevity of the program is not the only factor that speaks to its success. Research reports have shown academic benefits for students in Ethos’ programs, such as improved attendance and higher test scores.

Here, PRP’s Jamie Drakos talks with Ethos Executive Director Scott Moore, and Rural Outreach Director Megan Moran, about how Ethos is impacting youth throughout Oregon.

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Christine Menges

Christine Menges received her B.A. in French Studies from the University of Portland in 2015. She spent the next two years living in France, consuming too much wine, cheese and macarons, while also adding a few French songs to her repertoire. Christine's taste in music spans all genres, but she has a soft spot for folk, indie, and pop. She's excited to share her music with Portland.