A Music Program Supports Creative Expression for Cortez-Area Students

Students at the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s Kwiyagat Community Academy lack access to music education due to the school’s limited budget, leaving roughly 70 Cortez-area youth without a creative outlet. Seeing an opportunity to expand local music education, one teacher with Stillwater Music partnered with the school to launch a music elective program. To get the program up and running, they reached out to LOR for support. LOR’s funding will help Kwiyagat Community Academy provide weekly music classes to students at no cost to families. The program—delivered by instructors experienced in culturally respectful teaching practices—will provide students with their first formal music education, preparing them for the band programs at Montezuma-Cortez Middle and High School.