U Piano Outreach
Registration for the Fall Semester has closed.
Registration for the Spring 2022 semester will be open from January 3-7, 2022.
(Las inscripciones para el semestre de Otoño 2021 han terminado.
Low income elementary school students in Salt Lake City School District Title I schools receive after school piano lessons from U piano majors. The program helps them learn a life-long skill and develops self confidence.
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School of Music piano majors hone their teaching skills and learn valuable life lessons, preparing them for future careers. This 20-year partnership between the U, the Salt Lake City School District, and generous community supporters offers a win-win learning experience for elementary and college students alike.
Currently at four sites, the program serves approximately 150 children from grades 3-6 with 1 ½ hours of piano instruction per student per week for 28 weeks. A graduate teaching assistant leads with undergraduate student volunteers aiding them.
School Sites
Backman Elementary
601 North 1500 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
“The U Piano Outreach Program is the only opportunity for our students to have piano lessons.” – Dallin Miller, assistant principal
The Piano Outreach Program has taught students at Backman Elementary School since 2010. At Backman Elementary, 90% of students' families live below the federal poverty level, 85% of student body comes from ethnically or racially diverse backgrounds, and 65% of student body are English language learners.
Graduate Instructor
Washington Elementary
420 North 200 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84103
"As both the principal and a parent of a student in the program, I am grateful for the many benefits the Piano Outreach Program provides our students.” – John Z. Kelly, principal
Thanks to generous support from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, Washington Elementary’s Piano Outreach Program site was started in 2011. At Washington Elementary, more than 40% of students’ families live below the federal poverty level, 55% of student body comes from ethnically or racially diverse backgrounds, and 29% of student body are English language learners.
Graduate Instructor
Bennion Elementary
429 South 800 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
“The U Piano Outreach Program offers a unique opportunity to our students that they will cherish throughout their lives.” – Dahlia Cordova, principal
One of our newer sites, the Piano Outreach Program has taught students at Bennion Elementary since 2015. According to its Principal, Dahlia Cordova, students who participate make significant gains in reading scores and show improvement in truancy and safe school violations.
Graduate Instructor
Escalante Elementary
1810 West 900 North
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
“On behalf of the Escalante community, I applaud UPOP for their dedication to creating quality learning environments for our students. Their collective work and efforts directly benefit our children and community. I commend them for their continuing dedication to our most precious resource, our children. I totally support UPOP and what they stand for.” Haloti Liava’a – principal
UPOP contributes to building a better system for our children to have access to programsneeded, but parents may not be able to access. Escalante Elementary currently serves:
• Economically Disadvantaged 88%
• Students with Disabilities 19%
• English Language Learners 44%
• Homeless 7%
Graduate Instructor
Desiree Gonzalez-Miller
Piano Outreach Coordinator
LIABILITY WAIVER
Program Needs
- Classroom Supplies $10
- Piano music $15
- Headphones $25
- Incentives $50
- Site-wide music $75
- Piano bench $100
- Recital sponsorship $250
- IPad $150
- Keyboard $1,000
- Instructor support $2,500-$12,000