Kirk Johnson; a graduate of Indiana University is a musician, performer, and educator that believes that the zip code of a child should not dictate their access to music education. Out of this belief, he founded SOUNDS Academy, a nonprofit music education organization that teaches, mentors, and provides musical experiences and opportunities for underserved youth in Phoenix, Arizona. SOUNDS Academy teaches character values through music education. He began his musical journey with Project STEP in Boston, Massachusetts where he learned to play the violin and viola under the guidance of Farhoud and Dubravka Moshfegh. He eventually took theory classes, played in chamber music groups and orchestras, touring countries like Italy, Mexico, and Cuba. As the CEO, Kirk has guided SOUNDS Academy in providing over 47,000 lessons and classes to children, while impacting an additional 19,000 students through the Musical Access program, where students attend concerts and are introduced to instruments in SOUNDS Academy’s Instrument Petting Zoos. In addition to students building confidence through performing in concerts, SOUNDS Academy is also making an academic impact with 100% of the students in their SOLO program being accepted into college on scholarship.
