We had the good fortune of connecting with Pam Sherlock and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pam, how does your business help the community?
Music4CHIEF offers mentoring through music education to middle and high school students who do not have the opportunity to benefit from music programs. Music can be a powerful outlet for teens during the years where more and more are dealing with depression, anxiety, drug addiction, and the stress of school success. Eligible students between the ages of 12-18 benefit from private music instruction, as well as group performance opportunities and summer camps. Not only does the organization work directly with local families, it also has relationships with Forsyth County boys’ and girls’ homes, giving teens in the care of DFCS a chance to learn an instrument and meet weekly with music mentors.

Recently Music4CHIEF began offering a yearly Marching Band grant to help one Forsyth County public school student participate in the high school marching band program. The school band programs give students a chance to build strong connections with peers and leaders who can give them structure and guidance in a positive, musical environment. The Marching Band grant program has been a great success and has given students an opportunity that they otherwise would not have been able to afford.

Music4CHIEF gives teens an outlet to express themselves, a place to belong, and a network of mentors and peers who all have a common interest in music!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have a M.B.A. in Marketing. My professional background began in the field of business marketing, where I spent a majority of the last twenty years. While my children were growing up, I was fortunate to have the ability to work from home in order to be available to them, and be able to work in their schools as a volunteer in various capacities. My volunteer work with the public school system carried through 2019, when my youngest child graduated from high school. During these volunteer years, I was very involved in the classroom, as well as with the band programs. I was able to build connections with other music parents, and also with students – which gave me an opportunity to see where the music programs, both in school and outside of school, were making an impact.

My career path changed in 2020 when I decided to go back to a professional work setting, and accepted a position as Facility Director for Curion LLC, a national market research firm. As a facility director, I have an opportunity daily to encourage and support a hard-working team and celebrate success in the Atlanta locations. Although I find fulfillment in working with a fantastic team at Curion, my work with the nonprofit remains my most rewarding adventure to date.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living in the southern part of Forsyth County has placed me in an ideal area to experience the great places Atlanta offers, as well as the beautiful rural mountain areas in the northern part of Georgia. I enjoy outdoor activities and historical sites, but also have an appreciation for venues in the city. For a week-long visit, we would take in a show at the Fox Theater or a concert at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta. We would also enjoy a casual meal and dessert at Marie’s Italian Deli, or we would enjoy an evening at Halcyon in Forsyth for dinner and drinks at Cherry Street Brewing, then relax on the green and take in whatever entertainment is happening there. For shopping, we would spend a day in Dahlonega or Helen, To get outside for an adventure, a hike to the top of Sawnee Mountain, or Yonah Mountain if we’re looking for a little more challenge, would make for a great day outside!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am where I am today due to the support and encouragement in music I received throughout my childhood and teenage years from my family and the music programs I was involved in. Also, when my own children became interested in music, I began to recognize that they were fortunate in my husband’s and my ability to provide a music education to them. When I began to talk about wanting ALL teenagers to have an opportunity like my children had, the support I received from my husband and from my children was the encouragement I needed to take a leap and create Music4CHIEF. A special mention also goes to the music school my children were involved in at the time – Music Authority in Cumming GA. Music Authority offers an inclusive and comprehensive curriculum surrounded by mentors and supportive peers where all kids can feel welcome.

Website: www.music4chief.com

Instagram: @music4chief

Facebook: @music4chief

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.