named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
M³-Music Mentoring Matches
In-development program to connect youth with professional musicians, educators, and industry leaders for ongoing mentorship.
New Stars In The Music Galaxy
Beginner to intermediate music program offering theoretical, instrumental, and vocal studies, along with academic enhancement and life skills training.
Q City Soundz Stage Band
Intermediate to advanced competitive ensemble focused on jazz improvisation and interdisciplinary performances, with training in music, dance, and video production.
Quest Unlimited
Program currently in development, details not yet available.
Study Artist Curriculum
Project-based learning program involving in-depth study of jazz artists, music history, and career pathways, including financial literacy and teacher certification preparation.
The Melvin D. Thompson Master Musician Scholarship
Intensive one-on-one training for select students with professional master teachers to prepare them for college, conservatory, or professional auditions.
Young Musicians In Training (YMIT)
Program for high school and college student musicians to gain teaching experience through mentoring younger participants, receiving professional development and a stipend.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Music Education and Training Programs 5 activities
- Advanced music training and audition preparationOffers weekly one-on-one music training with professional master teachers and provides the Melvin D. Thompson Master Musician Scholarship, which pairs selected students with professional musicians for intensive, ongoing training to prepare for college, conservatory, and professional auditions.
- Performance opportunities and ensemble engagementOrganizes regular performance opportunities for ensembles at schools, theaters, community events, outdoor festivals, and talent competitions, including the creation of original interdisciplinary works combining music, dance, and video.
- Project-based music and entrepreneurship curriculumImplements a curriculum that includes biographical study of jazz artists and their cultural contributions, learning their compositions, and project-based creation of a music industry company or music school, including business planning and financial strategy development.
- Youth music and arts education programProvides daily in-person music and vocal instruction for youth ages 10 to 24 through project-based learning, including music theory, composition, sound engineering, instrumental and vocal studies, and functional piano, with flexible scheduling and free distribution of instruments and technology to enrolled students.
- Youth music teaching fellowshipRuns the Young Musicians In Training program, which trains high school and college student musicians to teach music to younger participants, providing them with professional development and paid teaching experience.
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Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
- Career development and professional exposureProvides career development activities including job shadowing, internships, mentoring, business tours, and workshops in music and financial literacy; also offers on-site mentoring sessions pairing participants with professionals in music, education, law, and entertainment for personal and professional guidance.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Community service and civic engagement projectsOrganizes an annual community service learning project that gives youth hands-on experience in philanthropy and civic engagement.
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Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 1 activity
- Youth-led publication and communication skillsOffers a publication class where youth produce the Quest Newsletter by writing and designing content about organizational events for community distribution, building communication and media skills.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$108K
Contributions & grants$103K96%
Program service revenue$3K3%
Investment income——
Other revenue$899
expenses
Total expenses$99K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$12K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$117K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$103K
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -41.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 2
- Linda Sylvester — Asst Exec Director
- Thomas Fisher — Executive Director
relationships · 8
Who they work with
- Ashley Crummey Partner — Founding member recognized with a Visionary Award for contributions to youth and community development through the musical arts.
- Bill Horde Partner — Founding member recognized with a Visionary Award for contributions to youth and community development through the musical arts.
- Jerry Horde Partner — Founding member recognized with a Visionary Award for contributions to youth and community development through the musical arts.
- Michael DeCharbert Partner — Founding member and current Chairman of the Board of Directors.
- NYC Government — References NYC teacher certification requirements in its curriculum.
- Quest Youth Organization Inc Network — Administers the Master Musician Training Scholarship Award in honor of Melvin D. Thompson.
- Victor Basabe Partner — Founding member recognized with a Visionary Award for contributions to youth and community development through the musical arts.
- William Parker Partner — Founding member recognized with a Visionary Award for contributions to youth and community development through the musical arts.
strategies · 4
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.
- Arts-Based Youth Developmentmethodology: arts-based_youth_developmentBy using music and the arts as a core vehicle, we foster educational achievement, personal growth, and economic empowerment in youth because creative engagement builds identity, discipline, and cognitive skills that transfer across life domains.
- Intensive Mentorship Modelmethodology: intensive_mentorship_modelBy providing sustained one-on-one mentorship with professional musicians, we develop advanced musical proficiency and personal resilience in students because close apprenticeship relationships build technical mastery, accountability, and aspirational identity.
- Project-Based Learning for Holistic Developmentmethodology: project-based_learningBy engaging youth in real-world, interdisciplinary projects — particularly through music and performance — we enhance intellectual, emotional, and academic development because experiential problem-solving deepens retention and builds adaptive life skills.
- Wraparound Career Developmentmethodology: wraparound_career_developmentBy integrating music instruction with industry exposure and career preparation, we prepare youth for professional independence because early alignment with real-world pathways increases motivation, employability, and long-term success.