Grant support helps Phoenix youth explore music performance, recording, creativity, and the innovative spirit of Les Paul
PHOENIX, AZ — June 2026 — Phoenix Conservatory of Music (PCM) is proud to announce support from the Les Paul Foundation for its College Prep Program, a nationally recognized contemporary music education pathway that helps young musicians develop artistic excellence, technical skills, leadership, and college and career readiness.
The Les Paul Foundation supports programs that encourage innovation in music education, recording, and STEM/STEAM learning, while carrying forward the legacy of Les Paul as a musician, inventor, recording pioneer, and creative innovator. Through this support, PCM will continue expanding opportunities for students to engage deeply in performance, ensembles, music theory, songwriting, recording, production, and creative technology.
“Les Paul’s story reminds young musicians that artistry and innovation are not separate—they belong together,” said Regina Nixon, Executive Director of Phoenix Conservatory of Music. “At PCM, our students are learning to perform, collaborate, record, create, and imagine futures for themselves in music and beyond. We are grateful to the Les Paul Foundation for investing in students who are carrying that same spirit of creativity forward.”
A Transformative Year for PCM’s College Prep Program
During the 2025–2026 program year, PCM’s College Prep Program served 123 students across all prep programs, including 108 students in the College Prep Program and 15 students in Pre-Prep. Students came from 12 cities across the Valley, with 64% of families living in Phoenix. The program continues to reflect the diversity of Greater Phoenix, serving students across race, ethnicity, income level, age, and musical background.
PCM’s 2025–2026 student survey showed strong outcomes in safety, belonging, communication, musicianship, and college and career exploration. Among survey respondents, 95% reported feeling safe at PCM, 91% made friends through CPP, 94% identified as hard workers, and 92% said they had opportunities to showcase their talent.
Students also reported that CPP strengthened both musical and life skills. 94% of students said ensembles helped them, 91% identified performances and concerts as impactful, and 89% said music theory helped them grow as musicians. In addition, 83% reported improved communication with peers and 81% reported improved communication with adults, showing the program’s role in helping young musicians build confidence, collaboration, and leadership.
Summer Intensive Scholars Carry PCM’s Mission Forward
This June, PCM is also celebrating its 2026 Summer Intensive Scholars—students selected for highly competitive music programs that provide advanced training, mentorship, and exposure to college-level music study.
PCM students will participate in programs including:
Arizona State University Popular Music Summer Program
Amani Fabrizius, Junior, Voice
Eileen Cordova, Junior, Strings
Musicians Institute Summer Shot
Titus Hostler, Sophomore, Guitar
Mack Temple, Junior, Guitar
Berklee Aspire City Music Scholars
Marcelo Hartwig, Junior, Drums
Noah Allen, Junior, Bass
Brookelyn Nichols, Senior, Voice
Kolton Koller, Senior, Guitar
Lamont Summer Academy, June 17–July 1, 2026
Tamara Svoiski, Senior, Piano
Elena Svoiski, Sophomore, Piano
These students represent the next generation of creative leaders, performers, composers, producers, and innovators. Their summer study will deepen their musicianship while connecting them with peers, faculty, and professional pathways beyond Arizona.
Sharing the Legacy of Les Paul
As part of the grant-supported work, PCM incorporates Les Paul’s story into student learning experiences during our summer Careers in Music, highlighting his influence as a guitarist, recording pioneer, inventor, and innovator in our student newsletter, in our summer camps, and in our Career Education Summer Internship program highlighting different careers students can have in the music industry. Students will explore how Les Paul’s experiments with multitrack recording, electric guitar design, sound-on-sound techniques, and creative problem-solving helped shape modern music.
PCM will use Les Paul Foundation educational resources to connect students’ own creative work to larger questions: How do musicians become inventors? How does technology change what is possible in music? How can young artists use recording, production, and performance to shape the future?
“Les Paul’s legacy gives our students a powerful model,” Nixon said. “He was not only a brilliant musician—he was curious, persistent, and willing to experiment. That is exactly the mindset we want our students to develop.”
About Phoenix Conservatory of Music
Phoenix Conservatory of Music unleashes the power of music by providing high-quality, affordable, and accessible music education to young people throughout Greater Phoenix. Through private lessons, group classes, ensembles, school partnerships, summer programs, and its College Prep Program in partnership with Berklee College of Music, PCM prepares students for artistic excellence, personal growth, college readiness, and creative career pathways.
For more information, visit pcmrocks.org.
About the Les Paul Foundation
The Les Paul Foundation inspires innovative and creative thinking by sharing the legacy of Les Paul through support for music education, recording, innovation, and related programs. The Foundation honors Les Paul’s contributions as a musician, inventor, and recording pioneer.
For more information, visit www.les-paul.com.
Media Contact:
Regina Nixon
Executive Director
Phoenix Conservatory of Music
regnixon@pcmrocks.org
602-353-9900