Why PCM Matters
In Arizona, access to quality music education is not guaranteed. Statewide, only about 67% of students receive any arts education, and in Maricopa County that number drops to just ~60% for music programs. The gaps are most pronounced in high-poverty and minority-serving schools, where participation is the lowest. This inequity has lasting consequences: students from low-income backgrounds with little arts access face higher dropout rates and lower academic success, while those engaged in music are 4× more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and 3× more likely to win attendance awards.
Rooted in Community, Centered on Equity
PCM is the only nonprofit community music school in Arizona with a focus on popular and commercial music. Each year, we serve more than 1,300 students from cities all over Maricopa County, with a strong footprint in Phoenix neighborhoods where opportunities are most limited. More than 75% of our students are school-aged youth, and the majority receive scholarships or financial aid so that cost is never a barrier to participation.
Our programs—from early childhood music and school partnerships to summer camps, private lessons, and our award-winning College Prep Program—create a continuum of opportunity that meets students where they are. We provide over 13,000 hours of instruction annually; cultivating not just musicianship, but also confidence, academic success, and career readiness.
Education That Transforms Lives
PCM’s holistic, Creative Youth Development approach ensures that students gain far more than technical skills. They build identity, resilience, and a sense of belonging in a supportive community. Surveys show:
86% of students report doing better in school because of PCM.
100% of PCM seniors graduate high school, with over 80% pursuing higher education or career pathways.
Our students earned $750,000 in scholarships in 2025 alone
A Proven Model of Access and Excellence
PCM is nationally recognized for excellence in after-school arts. Our College Prep Program earned the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award, America’s highest honor for after-school arts initiatives. As Arizona’s only Berklee City Music Network member, we bring Berklee’s world-class PULSE curriculum, summer intensives, and college scholarship pathways to local youth—resources typically out of reach for families in our community.
Values in Action
PCM’s mission, vision, and values shape every note we play:
Community: We create safe, inclusive spaces where students find belonging and mentorship.
Education: With over 44 professional teaching artists, PCM provides rigorous, sequential training that prepares students for both life and career.
Accessibility: More than 75% of College Prep students receive aid, ensuring equity is built into our model.
Empowerment: Students gain leadership skills, perform across the Valley, and take on teaching assistant roles that prepare them for future success.
Character: Our trauma-informed and culturally responsive pedagogy ensures students are seen, respected, and supported.