Welcome to Music Encounters

Public and community site music education brought to you by Augustana Arts

  • 2026 Denver Street Band Experience

  • Mariachi with our partners Colorado Youth Mariachi Program

  • Violin Class

  • 2026 Denver Street Band Experience

  • Ukulele Class

  • Violin Class

Music Encounters Public Sites

MUSIC ENCOUNTERS WEEKDAY & WEEKEND CLASSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Augustana Arts proudly offers public group music lessons at sites around Denver. Classes are typically offered in small groups, for 5-12 individuals, at an affordable price for all. Scholarships are offered upon request. Please contact josh@augustanaarts.org for more information.

Current class offerings are listed below:

Augustana Lutheran Church (Central Denver):

Beginner Violin (No experience required)

Intermediate Violin (1 years of experience required)

Aurora First Presbyterian Church (Downtown Aurora):

Beginner Mariachi (No experience required)

Maestro Music (Arvada):

Music Composition Lab (3 years of music learning experience recommended)

Neighborhood Music (Stanley Marketplace, Aurora):

Music Composition Lab (3 years of music learning experience recommended)

Information for Interested Community Sites

Music Encounters enriches the musical landscape in schools and community centers through participant-centered, engaging music instruction. Program options include:

  • Weekly group lessons for students in ukulele, violin, mariachi, and music therapy.

  • School-day instructional support designed around your school’s needs.

  • One-time or multi-session coachings.

  • Adaptive lessons led by a music therapist for at-risk populations of children and adults.

  • Suggested students and site fees that can be waived to ensure all have access to our programs.

Are you a teacher or administrator at a community site interested in bringing Music Encounters to your school or community site? Reach out to us at josh@augustanaarts.org.

Music Encounters makes music learning accessible and equitable.

In 2002 Augustana Arts established the Music Encounters program which offers hands-on instrument opportunities on a limited group of instruments to children and adults from under-resourced communities in the Denver metropolitan area. The program brings instrument instruction and music therapy-based small group sessions to children and adults, helping them to attain their goals by teaching self-discipline, developing self-confidence, and fostering in them an identity of success.

Music Encounters programs encourage a love of music, but more importantly, they offer a supportive environment for these participants to:

  • develop discipline by establishing practice pattern.

  • increase self-esteem through achievement of a difficult skill.

  • foster connection to their community.

  • explore and grow social-emotional skills and improve overall mental health.

Proudly offering Music Encounters programming in your community, at sites including:

  • Women's Bean Project

  • St. Francis Center

  • Colfax Community Network

  • Augustana Lutheran Church

  • Aurora First Presbyterian

  • East High School

  • Denison Montessori