Ethos Music Center

Mission

We're celebrating our 25th year! Ethos was created in response to budget cuts that virtually eliminated music education in schools. We are dedicated to making music education, and its many benefits, accessible to historically excluded youth in Portland and across Oregon. We partner with representative community groups, schools, and families to guide our processes and ensure our programs are inclusive and culturally responsive. Ethos believes that regardless of socioeconomic status, geographic location, abilities, religion, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation, all students deserve access to the well documented benefits of music education.

Bottom Line for Portland

Through your investment in arts education and our kids, we are building our community’s future together. 

Your generous donation will provide:

Support for our new Music Tech classes to help expand them throughout the Portland Metro area.

Affordable music lessons, and free in-school music education, for students who might not have access otherwise, here in Portland and around the state. This will include support for our new Music Tech classes to help expand these exciting, highly accessible classes to even more of our kids!

Enrichment through music education with proven academic and socio-emotional benefits. 

The joy of self-expression through music.

Quote

"As someone who didn't follow a traditional school path, the peer relationships, resources, and teachers especially helped me. I recorded an album, took lessons in conjunction with rock band classes and had people I could talk to about songwriting…there would always be people there who would help me." - Jada Braden (former student)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Ethos is dedicated to making music education accessible to all youth. Over the last 25 years, our programs have expanded to reflect our evolving region. We collaborate with the communities that we serve to identify and remove a variety of barriers to music education for kids. We also partner with BIPOC, LGBTQ+, woman-led and  other local organizations to guide our processes and inform our culturally responsive programming. We utilize local partner networks to facilitate more inclusive hiring practices and improve equity within our organization. The diverse, lived experiences of our talented instructors and staff contribute to an environment where students feel included, safe and valued. 

Partner(s)

Ethos is excited to partner with these locally owned and operated businesses who not only provide quality products and services, but who also give back to the community:

Sesame Collective is a local restaurant group bringing the flavors of Israel, Turkey, Greece, and Italy to Portland.

Fried Egg I'm In Love makes Portland's best breakfast sandwiches, each with a punny, music themed name - each one made with love.

Our non-profit partner this year is ReClaim It! Check them out!