irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $247KDIGITAL MENTORSHIP: AN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING IN ELECTRONIC MUSIC PRODUCTION. THROUGH HANDS ON WORK WITH SYNTHESIZERS, MUSIC SOFTWARE, DRUM MACHINES AND SEQUENCERS, PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP AND PRODUCE AN ORIGINAL SONG AND VIDEO PROJECT.
- #2 $139KCOMMUNITY WORKSHOPS: WORKSHOPS DESIGNED TO COMBINE MUSIC EDUCATION WITH TECHNOLOGY. IN COLLABORATION WITH YOUTH SERVING ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT NEW YORK CITY, THE PROGRAM TEACHES STUDENTS TO CREATE MUSIC USING ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS, LIVE RECORDING AND SAMPLING TOOLS, CREATIVE SOFTWARE AND BEAT-MAKING TECHNIQUES.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
After-School Programs
Intensive after-school programming teaching STEM and creative skills through electronic music and digital arts, including song development, DIY electronics, creative coding, and multimedia arts.
Community Workshops
Free workshops for girls and gender-expansive youth ages 10-17 that introduce music technology, including electronic instruments, live recording, sampling, and beat-making. Conducted in partnership with youth-serving organizations across NYC.
Digital Mentorship
After-school program providing foundational training in electronic music production using synthesizers, music software, drum machines, and sequencers. Participants create an original song and video project.
Minicamp
Short-format music and technology program for youth, focusing on creative projects such as original song creation and video production, led by teaching artists.
Rhythm & Voice
Free music and mentoring program for homeless youth ages 8-14 at the Flatlands Family Residence in Brooklyn, including percussion, vocal training, songwriting, and digital music production.
Summer Camp
Two-week summer program for girls and gender-expansive youth ages 10-17 featuring workshops, performances, collaborative creative projects, and building DIY musical instruments.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Music Education and Training Programs 5 activities
- Brooklyn Sound Lab Facility and Equipment AccessOperates a Brooklyn-based sound laboratory equipped with synthesizers, computer stations, iPads, guitars, electronic drum kits, and a quadrophonic sound system, providing youth and fellows with access to creative technology for music and multimedia production.
- Community Workshops and PartnershipsConducts free community-based workshops in NYC in partnership with youth-serving organizations and schools, offering hands-on training in electronic music creation, beatmaking, live recording, sampling, and creative software for girls and gender-expansive youth ages 10–17, including specialized programs for homeless youth.
- Minicamps During School BreaksHosts three-day minicamps during school breaks focused on genres like Detroit Techno and Hip-Hop, and on audio-video integration, culminating in public showcases; recent sessions included collaborative student compositions and intergenerational events like the Intergalactic Ice Cream Social.
- School-Year In-School and Field Trip ProgrammingDelivers in-school STEM and music technology curricula to middle and high school students in New York City public schools, and hosts free field trip workshops at the Brooklyn Sound Lab featuring hands-on stations in live coding, digital art, sampling, and electronic music creation.
- Summer Rock Camp ProgramRuns a one-week summer camp where girls and gender-expansive youth ages 10–17 form bands, write original songs, record music, and perform in a public showcase; includes workshops in music and video production and building DIY musical instruments.
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Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
- After-School Music and Technology LabOffers structured after-school programs teaching digital music production, audio software, creative coding, DIY electronics, and multimedia arts through a STEM-based curriculum for girls and gender-expansive youth ages 10–17; includes mentorship and career guidance from guest artists.
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Artist Support Grants 1 activity
- Alumni Fellowship ProgramSupports alumni through a structured fellowship program that provides a $15,000 stipend, mentorship, access to the Brooklyn sound lab, and technical resources to develop and present original artistic works, including performances using spatial audio and collaborations with AI technologies.
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Digital Music and Performance Archiving 1 activity
- Online Learning and Public ResourcesMaintains an online Project Library with self-directed learning materials, instructional videos on synthesizers and music creation, and streamed performances by women and non-binary musicians to support remote and independent learning.
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Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
- Public Performances and ShowcasesOrganizes public performances and intergenerational showcases featuring original student and fellow compositions, including events like the Summer Jam, Soul Sonic Science Summit, and performances at National Sawdust using advanced audio-visual technologies such as Hydra live-coding and 20-channel spatial audio.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.18M
Contributions & grants$1.17M99%
Program service revenue$15K1%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.12M
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$669K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$893K
Cash$611K
Investments$0
Liabilities$184K
Net assets$709K
Liquid reserves6.5 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +23.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAFRAE SCI | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $127K |
board members · 7
- CAROLINA SILES — BOARD MEMBER
- GINA IZZO — SECRETARY
- LAURA GREER — BOARD MEMBER
- LEENA PUNJABI — TREASURER
- MARISA ZALABAK — BOARD MEMBER
- SABRINA SHULMAN — PRESIDENT
- SHIRLEY TAYLOR — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- Apollo Theater Partner — Partnership indicated through board membership of Laura Greer, Senior Producer at Apollo Theater.
- Brooklyn, NY Government — Hosts the organization's creative sound lab and gear, serving as a primary location for in-person fellowship activities.
- CT::SWaM ExChange Partner — Hosted a joint event featuring a fellow's new work at the Fridman Gallery Media Room focused on multi-channel and spatial sound.
- Carnegie Hall Partner — Partnership indicated through board membership of Gina Izzo, Manager of Learning and Engagement Programs at Carnegie Hall.
- Community-based organizations and institutions throughout NYC Partner — Collaborates with NYC community organizations to conduct hands-on workshops and educational series.
- Dr. Stephon Alexander Partner — Participated as a special guest at the Soul Sonic Science Summit, teaching students about cosmology.
- Fridman Gallery Partner — Co-hosted a presentation of a fellow's new work in its Media Room in partnership with CT::SWaM ExChange.
- LaFrae Sci Partner — Collaborates on developing and publishing music education lesson materials.
- Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center Partner — Partnership indicated through board membership of Shirley Taylor, Executive Director of Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center.
- NYC Department of Homeless Services Partner — Collaborated to deliver Rhythm & Voice, a free music and mentoring program for homeless youth at Flatlands Family Residence in Brooklyn.
- NYU | Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music Partner — Partnership indicated through board membership of Lauren Davis, Associate Chair and Arts Professor at NYU Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music.
- National Sawdust Partner — Hosted the "Future Sounds Mixtape" intergenerational performance event featuring Willie Mae Rock Camp students and teaching artists.
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council Government — Government funding partner supporting Willie Mae Rock Camp’s programs.
- New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature Government — State-level arts council and government affiliate providing support to Willie Mae Rock Camp.
- Office of the Brooklyn Borough President Government — Local government office providing support to Willie Mae Rock Camp.
- Schools across the five boroughs Partner — Partners with NYC public schools to deliver in-school STEM and music programming.
- Young Women’s Leadership School Partner — Partner site where alumni participate in Willie Mae Rock Camp programs.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Equity-Centered Access Modelmethodology: equity-centered_accessBy removing financial and experiential barriers through tuition-free, no-experience-required programming, we increase participation among BIPOC girls and gender-expansive youth, because equitable access ensures underrepresented communities can engage in music and technology education on equal footing.
- Intergenerational Mentorship and Lifelong Supportmethodology: intergenerational_mentorship_pipelineBy connecting youth with professional artists and alumni through mentorship and collaborative programming, we foster sustained artistic development, because ongoing relationships with experienced practitioners increase confidence, career exposure, and long-term engagement in creative fields.
- STEM-Integrated Arts Educationmethodology: stem-integrated_arts_educationBy integrating STEM learning with music and creative technology, we build technical and creative problem-solving skills in youth, because combining scientific and artistic disciplines deepens engagement and prepares students for future innovation in tech-driven creative fields.