Here is a piano we painted with piano students for an at-risk summer program in DC.

The SHADD Youth Summer Program, Music & Arts takes place in an inviting church auditorium, where students participate in a unique hands-on experience—painting the very pianos they will later learn to play. Designed specifically for at-risk youth ages 13–17, the program provides a positive and structured outlet during the summer months, a time when idle hands can too easily lead to trouble. By blending visual art with music education, the program transforms creative expression into a source of pride, discipline, and self-worth. Students paint their pianos with excitement and enthusiasm, forming a personal connection to the instrument that motivates them to practice and improve.

Engaging Instruction Through Relatable Mentorship

Piano instruction is led by a carefully selected 20-something/year-old teacher who relates naturally to the students’ demographics and life experiences, creating trust, relatability, and strong engagement. As a result, most students advanced impressively in their lessons. Complementing the music instruction are experienced, award-winning art educators with proven curricula in grade-school instruction, ensuring both structure and inspiration during the design and painting sessions. Together, the music and art teachers make each session fun, meaningful, and empowering, allowing students to see their creativity come to life on a functional instrument they could proudly play.

Brain Power

There are subliminal benefits associated with the combined study of music and art. Studies indicate that the combined study of music and art increases brain power, fosters cognitive development, and leads to better academic performance and higher grades in school. Engaging in these arts stimulates both sides of the brain, improving memory, spatial reasoning, positive behavior, language skills, and mathematical abilities.

Lasting Impact Through Music, Art, and Community

Programs like the SHADD Youth Summer Program leave an indelible mark on young people—memories they will carry with them for a lifetime. These moments of creativity, joy, and achievement become touchstones they often reflect on in later years as some of their best times. In many cases, the friendships formed through shared music and art grow into lasting bonds, reinforcing the idea that positive environments can shape confidence, character, and community in powerful and enduring ways.

At-Risk Youth

The SHADD prides itself on providing youth with donated pianos as a great distractor for at-risk adolescents who are threatened with negative influences whether in high-crime neighborhoods or bullied environments. Pianos are placed in these environments with the intention to occupy students while straying them away from harm and giving them a tool and an outlet to hone their creativity. Playing music as a soloist, in a duet or within a group has proven to increase the likelihood for youth to stay in school, improve behavior and attitude, acquire a zest for learning, and strengthen interpersonal skills. Youth who study piano music tend to have larger vocabularies and more advanced reading skills than their peers who do not participate in music. Also, youth that play piano or any musical instrument are less likely to participate in gang related activity, racism and hurtful sarcasm, and will socially interact better for greater camaraderie.