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Desert Sounds Performing Arts Inc
Mesa, AZ · EIN 352343558 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE A25 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.desertsounds.org
revenue
$189K
expenses
$184K
net assets
$84K
employees
2
volunteers
6
program ratio
57%
mission · from form 990

We help underserved children explore and experience the musical arts by lending instruments and providing ancillary supplies, lessons and performance opportunities.

profile · synthesized from sources

Desert Sounds Performing Arts Inc. provides accessible music education and instruments to children in Arizona, particularly those facing financial barriers. The organization offers individual and group music programs, including instrument lending, one-on-one lessons, and mariachi ensembles. They aim to empower children with hope and confidence through music, fostering skills like self-discipline and teamwork.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2022

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $0
    Jeremy ProjectThe Jeremy Project gave 296 children from 57 schools from Coolidge, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Phoenix, San Tan Valley, and Glendale, Arizona, the opportunity to learn and play a band or orchestral instrument of their choice, enabling them to participate in their respective school band or orchestral programs. The Jeremy Project underscores the communitys dedication to fostering musical education while enhancing the school experience for low-income, at-risk children.
  2. #2 $0
    Musical MentorsThe Musical Mentors program served 19% more students this year. The program helps students hone their musical abilities, offers support in navigating everyday challenges, and celebrated student achievement during the winter and summer recitals. Our approach to learning enhanced the students musical skills and imparted versatile life skills that extend beyond the realm of music. The Musical Mentors program continues to bridge the gap between musical education and personal growth, as its impact is felt in the students flourishing talents, the communitys support, and the nurturing of well-rounded individuals.
named programs · 5 · from sources

what they call their work

Electrifying Sounds
Teaches the basics of music using pop charts and contemporary selections, encouraging kids to play music they love.
Mariachi Sones del Desierto
A multi-level program for K-12 students to learn traditional Mariachi music on authentic instruments, performing throughout the valley.
Musical Mentors
Offers one-on-one weekly lessons with an instructor for students to learn music at their own pace and interact with positive role models.
Strings for Little Fingers
Provides fun music education tailored for younger children, teaching them music in a playful environment alongside their parents.
The Jeremy Project
Provides affordable access to musical instruments for students to use in school bands, orchestras, lessons, or Desert Sounds programs, through a small monthly fee.
activities · 10 groups

what they do

  • Early Childhood Music Education 8 activities
    • Deliver early childhood music education through Strings for Little Fingers
      Provides age-appropriate music classes for young children and their parents, focusing on foundational music skills. The program is tailored specifically for early learners.
    • Early Childhood Music Education ("Strings for Little Fingers")
      Provides "Strings for Little Fingers," a music education program tailored for young children and their parents, offering music classes.
    • Electrifying Sounds Program
      Offers the "Electrifying Sounds" program where children learn music basics through modern and contemporary pop music performances.
    • Modern/Contemporary Music Education ("Electrifying Sounds")
      Offers "Electrifying Sounds" program where children learn music basics through modern and contemporary pop music performances.
    • Offer Electrifying Sounds music program
      Teaches children music fundamentals through modern and contemporary pop music performances, engaging students with current musical styles.
    • Run the "Electrifying Sounds" contemporary music program
      Teaches children music fundamentals through modern and pop music performances, engaging students with contemporary styles.
    • Run the "Strings for Little Fingers" early childhood music program
      Offers age-appropriate music education for young children and their parents, focusing on foundational music skills through interactive classes.
    • Strings for Little Fingers Program
      Provides the "Strings for Little Fingers" program, offering music classes for young children and their parents, tailored for younger children.
  • Instrument Donation and Distribution for Youth and Refugees 4 activities
    • Accept in-kind donations of musical instruments and supplies
      Receives donated musical instruments and materials to support and expand youth music programming.
    • Accept in-kind donations to support programming
      Receives donations of musical instruments and supplies to sustain and expand youth music education initiatives.
    • In-Kind Instrument and Supply Donations
      Accepts in-kind donations of musical instruments and supplies to support youth programming.
    • In-Kind Instrument and Supply Donations
      Accepts in-kind donations of musical instruments and supplies to support youth programming.
  • Instrument Loan Program 4 activities
    • After-School Music Education
      Offers after-school music education programming in a physical location, helping hundreds of children access music and education.
    • Instrument Lending Program ("The Jeremy Project")
      Operates "The Jeremy Project" which loans over 500 musical instruments to students in over 87 schools, providing affordable access to instruments for a small monthly fee for use throughout elementary and high school.
    • Instrument Lending Program ("The Jeremy Project")
      Operates "The Jeremy Project" which loans musical instruments to underserved children for use throughout elementary and high school, providing affordable access to instruments for a small monthly fee. The program loans over 500 instruments to students in over 87 schools.
    • Operate The Jeremy Project instrument loan program
      Loans over 500 musical instruments to students across more than 87 schools, providing affordable access through a small monthly fee to underserved children from elementary through high school.
  • Youth & Emerging Artist Performance Competitions 4 activities
    • Fundraising Gala
      Hosts an annual gala event to support music programs for children.
    • Fundraising Gala
      Hosts an annual gala event to support music programs for children.
    • Host annual fundraising gala
      Organizes an annual gala event to raise funds in support of music programs for children.
    • Host annual gala event to support children's music programs
      Organizes an annual fundraising gala to generate support for music education initiatives for children.
  • Mariachi and Traditional Mexican Music Education 4 activities
    • Mariachi Music Education Program
      Offers "Mariachi Sones del Desierto," a multi-level program for K-12 students to learn traditional Mariachi music on authentic instruments, with ensembles performing throughout the valley.
    • Mariachi Program ("Mariachi Sones del Desierto")
      Operates "Mariachi Sones del Desierto," a multi-level program for K-12 students to learn traditional Mariachi music on authentic instruments, which has expanded to include children from kindergarten through 12th grade. The ensembles perform throughout the valley.
    • Operate Mariachi Sones del Desierto program
      Provides multi-level instruction in traditional Mariachi music on authentic instruments for K-12 students, with ensembles that perform publicly across the valley.
    • Run Mariachi Sones del Desierto program
      Offers a multi-level mariachi music program for K–12 students to learn traditional Mariachi music on authentic instruments, including performance ensembles that perform throughout the valley.
  • Member-Focused Newsletter Publishing 2 activities
    • Distribute monthly newsletter on programs and community impact
      Produces and distributes a monthly newsletter sharing updates on youth music programs, events, and community outcomes.
    • Produce monthly community newsletter
      Distributes a monthly newsletter with updates on programs, events, and community impact to engage stakeholders.
  • Youth Support Through Arts and Education 2 activities
    • Distribute musical instruments and supplies
      Provides musical instruments to students through loan and distribution programs, including initial instrument distribution and ongoing support for youth programming.
    • Operate The Jeremy Project for instrument access
      Loans over 500 musical instruments to students across more than 87 schools, providing affordable access through a small monthly fee. The program supports underserved children from elementary through high school.
  • Private and Small-Group Music Instruction 2 activities
    • Musical Mentors Program
      Offers "Musical Mentors" providing one-on-one weekly music lessons to students, matching professional musicians with students for mentorship to encourage continued musical learning.
    • Musical Mentorship Program
      Operates "Musical Mentors," matching professional musicians with students for one-on-one weekly music lessons and mentorship to encourage continued musical learning.
  • General Volunteer Support Services 1 activity
    • Reduce operational costs through volunteer engagement
      Leverages volunteer support to save over $86,000 in annual operating costs.
  • Uncategorized 6 activities
    • After-School Music Education Programming
      Offers after-school music education programming, which began in a physical location in 2011, to help hundreds of children access music and education.
    • Deliver after-school music education programs
      Provides structured after-school music programming at a physical location since 2011, including group classes and ensemble participation for K-12 students.
    • Empower youth through music and culture
      Uses music, community engagement, and cultural programming to build hope and leadership skills in children.
    • Provide after-school music education programs
      Offers structured after-school music programming at a physical location, including classes and ensemble opportunities for children. Programming began in 2011 and includes multiple specialized initiatives.
    • Provide one-on-one music mentorship through Musical Mentors
      Matches professional musicians with students for weekly, one-on-one lessons and mentorship to support ongoing musical development and engagement.
    • Provide one-on-one music mentorship through Musical Mentors
      Matches professional musicians with students for weekly, personalized music lessons and mentorship to support ongoing musical development.
financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$189K
Contributions & grants$113K60%
Program service revenue$60K32%
Investment income$2770%
Other revenue$15K
expenses
Total expenses$184K
Program expenses57%
Admin / overhead43%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$55K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$85K
Cash$68K
Investments$0
Liabilities$1K
Net assets$84K
Liquid reserves4.4 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2022 · YoY revenue +114.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Jennifer Crews President & CEO 40 $15K
board members · 1
  • Lorah Neville — Chairperson
relationships · 6

who they work with

  • ABC15 Partner — Media partner; emcee is a journalist and co-host of ABC15’s Sonoran Living
  • Chilled Haven Partner — Sponsor of the gala event
  • Doubletree by Hilton Partner — Host venue for the annual gala event
  • Kendra Scott Partner — Provides jewelry for the gala's silent auction and fundraising activities
  • local organizations Funder — Provide financial support for programs.
  • national organizations Funder — Provide financial support for programs.