History

In 1997 Mr. James A. Dick, prominent business leader and philanthropist, visits the W.O. Smith School in Nashville.  Impressed by their mission of providing low cost music lessons to low income children, he decides to bring the idea back to Knoxville. 

Later that year Mr. Dick gathers fellow business leaders, community activists, and music educators and founds The Joy of Music Youth Music School.  The School begins operations in the fall of 1998 providing free music lessons to the disadvantaged youth of the Boys of Girls Clubs of Knoxville.

With a volunteer board and one staff member they undertake the mission of providing a quality music education to disadvantaged youth. The founding board president is F. Michael Combs. The School begins in the Moses Center in space provided by the Boys and Girls Clubs with Anne Marie Begley as the first primary music teacher and coordinator or the music program.  

In November 2000, The Joy of Music School becomes a 501(c)(3), nonprofit corporation.

In January 2001, the first Executive Director, Marisa Galick, is hired to manage the business operations for the School.

In October 2001, the School begins a neighborhood program in which non-Boys & Girls Club members can also register to take free music lessons if they qualify as being from low income families. 

The community enrollment of the School grows so fast that in July 2002 the Board begins a search for a larger building for the School.  After an exhaustive search the Board finds a new home. 

On August 6, 2003, The Joy of Music School moves from a cramped 900 sq. ft. space at the Moses Center to a 7,000 sq. ft. building at 1209 Euclid Avenue, only blocks away.

On March 28, 2005, The Joy of Music breaks ground on necessary major upgrades to the School's new home.  The building is brought up to city building codes, requiring some modifications including an elevator, a second stairwell, and handicap accessible restrooms.

In November 2005 the new addition to the building is completed. Now the School is fully operational with a spacious lobby, a kid-friendly family waiting area, new restrooms and an elevator.

In December 2005, conductor Francis Graffeo, formerly of Knoxville Opera and founder of the Rossini Festival, is appointed the School's Executive Director.

In January 2006 the School's Board of Directors elects prominent attorney and musician Rick Carl as president.

Ms. Julie Howard, attorney and singer/actor is named acting president in February 2007 as Mr. Carl is forced by pressing family matters to redirect his energies.

In January 2008 (the School's tenth anniversary year) Mr. Kenneth Dobbins, President of BankEast, begins his tenure as President of the Board of Directors.

"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent."

--Victor Hugo