Community Outreach
Because of Parlando’s unique structure, 100% of all donations go directly to programming - not administrative costs.
Parlando is building a Recording Studio!
M.O.R.E. for Colorado
Music + Outreach providing Resources + Education = MORE!
Parlando’s M.O.R.E. for Colorado program provides supplementary instrument instruction to school music classrooms.
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We believe ALL students should have equitable access to the opportunities afforded by music education. We focus on schools serving marginalized students including schools whose student population is majority low-income and/or BI&POC.
Parlando instructors go into music classes during the school day and provide help to students struggling to keep up. In addition to supporting students in need of additional help, this also allows the schools’ music teachers to spend more time with the remaining students in the class. It’s a win-win!
From Kati Sainz, BVSD Band Teacher:
“THANK YOU for all you do. Parlando teachers have been so incredibly helpful in getting kids who were behind up to speed. It's been a lifeline for these kids!” -
During the 2022-2023 Academic Year Parlando provided support to over 3,000 music classrooms in 29 schools across 4 school districts, resulting in over 90,000 student interactions.
Partner schools reported:
-20% higher attendance rates;
-24% higher graduation rates; and
-GPAs of 3.0-3.5 compared to 2.0-3.0 for non-music students. -
Major support for M.O.R.E. for Colorado is provided by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) and the Cielo Foundation.
Join these inspirational partners by donating now!
Tuition Assistance
Every year Parlando provides tuition assistance to more than 100 students who demonstrate a passion for music but whose financial circumstances would otherwise preclude them from equitable access.
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At Parlando, we believe that all students should have access to the opportunities provided by music and the arts. Our co-founders, Travis and Christine LaBerge, were the beneficiaries of reduced-price music lessons and collegiate scholarships and started Parlando in 2002 understanding that children do not determine their financial situations.
From the parent of a tuition assistance recipient:
“I just want to start by sharing what a huge relief this is. It is truly a wonderful gift and opportunity, and my heart feels tremendous gratitude for you and Parlando.” -
Parlando provides $60,000 - $70,000 every year to over 100 students who otherwise would not be able to afford music lessons and classes.
In 2023 Parlando celebrated going over the $750,000 mark in total tuition assistance allocated since inception. During this time we have supported over 2,100 under-represented students who would otherwise not have had the opportunity to pursue their artistic passions.
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Major support for M.O.R.E. for Colorado is provided by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), the Bacca Foundation, the Caruthers Family Foundation, and the LaBerge Family.
Join these inspirational partners by donating now!
Julie’s Program
Built on our belief that music and the arts should be available to everyone, Julie's Program ensures that people of ALL abilities are able to pursue their passions and interests.
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Inspired by our founder and executive director’s sister, Julie’s Program provides music and theatrical classes and performance opportunities to some of our community’s most overlooked members: People living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as neurodiversities.
From Gina Coufal, Founder and Executive Director of FRIENDS of Broomfield:
“Music has great therapeutic value to many of our folks with sensory integration difficulties. We have also seen some of our non-verbal participants come alive.
We thank you for providing this class to our adults as they look forward to it each week. Your music class continues to be one of the MOST popular classes they choose from. You have created something truly extraordinary.
”We are very grateful to you, your staff, and your supporters for making this happen!” -
During the 2022-2023 Academic Year Parlando provided over $25,000 in programming to more than 1,300 people with disabilities and neurodiversities. Programming was offered both in-person and online, including a return to our in-person collaborative staged performance with IMAGINE.
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Major support for Julie’s Program is provided by the Ritter Family Foundation and the Broomfield Community Foundation.
Join these inspirational partners by donating now!
Intergenerational
In order to reach people of all ages and abilities, Parlando works with several smaller groups in our community including early childhood centers, retirement communities, and organizations like Boulder Day Nursery and Mother House.
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In addition to being fun, encouraging communication, and building community, the research is clear: When children are exposed to music at a young age, they develop more advanced cognitive and spacial reasoning capabilities. This translates to better verbal skills, mathematical computation abilities, and “grit” later in life. And later in life, music has been shown to delay and diminish the effects of diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
From Peggy Austin, Music Teacher at Superior Elementary School:
“Thanks so much for coming and sharing the trip around the world with my students. They especially loved meeting a published author and enjoyed following along with you. What a treat for emerging readers.” -
During the 2022-2023 Academic Year Parlando provided more than $20,000 in early childhood outreach and $7,500 to provide concerts, lessons, classes, and performances for senior citizens - including a new partnership with the Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies.
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Major support for Parlando’s Intergenerational Programming is provided by the Boulder Arts Commission, an agency of the City of Boulder, the City of Boulder’s Human Relations Fund, and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).
Join these inspirational partners by donating now!