For five years, the Beyond the Instrument program has opened doors for aspiring musicians around the world. To honor the program’s anniversary, RCA Records artist and three-time GRAMMY Award winner Victoria Monét teamed up with Sony Music Group to host a special event at Eliot Arts Magnet in Pasadena, California.
Ahead of the 2026 GRAMMY Awards, Monét visited the school, where she inspired students with stories from her career during an engaging Q&A. She later enjoyed incredible performances by Eliot’s marching band and dance team to her hit songs “We Might Even Be Falling in Love” and “On My Mama.”
Eliot Arts Magnet was one of the grant recipients of musical instruments from Sony Music Group in 2025. This special donation helped replace equipment lost in the Eaton Fire, benefiting more than 1,000 students and restoring vital arts education for the community. This year’s Beyond the Instrument event celebrated the resilience and creativity of these students, marking one year since the donation and looking ahead to an even brighter future for music education.
“I’m honored to celebrate these students and everything they’ve overcome this year,” said Monét. “Music has the power to rebuild, to uplift, and to create new possibilities — and seeing that come to life here at Eliot Arts Magnet is truly inspiring. I encourage more people to be vocal and support their local communities.”
Of the event, Towalame Austin, Executive Vice President, Global Philanthropy, Social Impact and Environment, said, “Supporting young people through music is central to who we are. The students at Eliot and Altadena Arts Magnets have shown extraordinary resilience, and we are proud to stand with them as partners. Beyond the Instrument reflects our long‑term commitment to expanding access to music education and ensuring students have the tools they need to thrive.”
Since 2021, the Beyond the Instrument program grant has worked to accelerate equity and expand access to cutting‑edge music technology education for students in high‑need schools within historically excluded communities—and it continues to build on that mission with an eye toward even greater impact. The program, already active in California, Tennessee, Florida, London, and Toronto, is poised to reach additional regions – including a new program in Panama – as it evolves to meet the needs of future music creators. Artists and songwriters who have served as mentors for the initiative include Cat Burns, Noah Cyrus, Sigala, DIXSON, Theron Thomas, Schak, Aqyila, and Gloria Estefan, helping to inspire and guide the next generation of talent.
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