The Diana & Joel Peterson School of Music in Salt Lake City is expanding access to high-quality music education through its GRIT program, which serves nearly 500 students at three Title I schools at no cost, PR Underground reported on Sept. 28.
GRIT, which stands for Growth, Resilience, Instinct, and Tenacity, operates in collaboration with the Salt Lake City School District and the Utah State Board of Education. The full-scholarship program aims to close the opportunity gap for at-risk youth, supported by individuals, foundations, corporations, and public funding, according to the release.
Program director Abigail Hills said the school teaches young people to break challenges into essential parts, helping them chart their own way through obstacles. Violin instructor Rachel Taft, who has been with GRIT since its start, said students develop playing skills and traits that help them become outstanding community members.
Students recently performed at Deer Valley with the Utah Symphony and Grammy-winning ensemble Time For Three. Eleven-year-old student Majesty was among the performers, and her father Sam said the experience was significant for the family.
Parents highlighted the program’s diverse community, with Spanish-speaking teachers and students from different cultural backgrounds learning together. The school hopes to expand into additional Title I schools as funding allows, PR Underground reported.
For more information, visit prunderground.com.