Salt Lake Academy of Music (SLAM)

SALT LAKE ACADEMY OF MUSIC (SLAM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides K-12 youth with inclusive and equitable access to musical instruments, instruction, and programs in classical, rock, jazz, pop, blues, bluegrass, and electronic music - all on a free-to-fee sliding scale.  Opened in January 2020, SLAM prevailed over the COVID-19 pandemic by mid-2021 enrolling 70 students, and by mid-2022, doubled that enrollment to 140 students.  We currently serve 160 students of a 200-student capacity during the 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm after-school primetime hours.

Programs

1. Lessons Program - 30-minute weekly private lessons and mentorship that teach musical instrument technique and music theory while mentoring youth to overcome technical, theoretical, and personal obstacles to learning (K-12).
2. Core Program - An audition-free, no-pressure 60-minute weekly group lessons/rehearsals in rock, pop, and blues to learn acoustics, audio signal flow, critical listening, electroacoustics, teamwork, and confidence-building skills as a preparatory program for the Crew program.
3. Crew Program - An audition-based 120-minute weekly group lessons/rehearsals among up to 18 students in a "Crew" assigned song parts in a rotating 'band-by-the-song' weekly session.  Crewmembers work among different combinations of students of varying ages, musical tastes, and abilities, working toward quarterly performances.
4. Festival Band Program - An audition-based 90-minute weekly rehearsal of a band that plays crowd-pleasing favorites during the summer festival season and serves as program ambassadors to the community.
5. Songwriting & Composition Program - One week of weekday 25-hour intensive songwriting and composition sessions given each summer.
6. Recording & Production Program - One week of weekday 25-hour intensive hands-on recording and production training.
7. Young Artists Music Festival - An audition-based festival performance opportunity for original music artists ages 20 and younger of any genre.