Meet Yalyen Savignon | CEO, Volta Music Foundation

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

Hi Yalyen, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started a nonprofit (Volta Music Foundation) when I was still a student at Carnegie Mellon University. I was pursuing my master’s degree in music performance, and I kept visiting and teaching in Latin American countries. I realized there was a great need for music education and resources in these countries and many different areas of the United States. My perseverance in committing to creating programs and avenues to donate instruments and resources to students and families of greater need kept me pursuing the organization’s creation.

What should our readers know about your business?

Volta Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides music opportunities to students and families in underserved communities. Volta has focused on education and performance. Our educational program has impacted over 3000 students in the U.S. and Latin America. At the same time, we have influenced thousands of families in the performance field through concerts at schools, libraries, parks, and, most recently, Children’s hospitals. We are incredibly fortunate to be able to connect with families and students of different backgrounds and needs through music.

Incorporating the nonprofit and adding a business model that would impact thousands of lives was a process that involved several factors; it was challenging and energizing. I learned to ask around for advice and learn from every single person who would come into my life. Everyone had something I could learn from and feel motivated about. I use that as part of my brand, as I am built on the mistakes I made, the lessons learned, and for being brave enough to experience and not limit myself from learning.

Incorporating music into the daily lives of people in need has been a passion of mine and a powerful drive for the organization. I am incredibly proud to have brought live music to hospitals, nursing centers, autism centers, parks, communities that serve disabled individuals, and schools and afterschool centers where music was nonexistent or defunded. Our brand brings access to those excluded from the arts and culture and creates new avenues for mental health and wellness practices through music.

Volta is launching this year our virtual program to expand music learning access across our nation, this program has features that make learning string instruments fun and easy. Our program teaches students how to read sheet music, improve their technique, and even perform in virtual concerts. This advanced curriculum provides opportunities for personalized feedback and guidance to help students improve their playing even in a group learning setting. The program also offers a range of resources, such as practice exercises, video tutorials, and a comprehensive sheet music library. Our user-friendly virtual classroom makes navigating and accessing different program levels easy. Students can interact with their peers, share their progress, and participate in group performances. With Volta’s Music Virtual Program for String Instruments, you can learn and master the art of playing string instruments from your home. I encourage everyone to sign up for our mailing list and follow us on social media to receive the latest news of this program and steps on how to sign up and start your musical journey from their homes.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to the Volta Music Foundation. In particular, the entire leadership team, administrative staff, and teachers. They have taught me much about developing the foundation and growing my career as an Arts Leader. All of the students and families we served have been my motor to continue pushing regardless of adversities or just a few bumps in the road. All of you have contributed immensely to my growth and, consequently, the development of the organization we share, Volta Music Foundation. To all of you, thank you!

Website: voltamusicfoundation.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voltamusicfoundation/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yalyen-savignon-85a87275/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/volta_music

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VoltaMusicFoundation

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgk4Cf2m0IQap7LkBHJI1Q

Image Credits
Aaron Bristol, Laura Wilson