Your Home For Afro American Music
For 31 years, Afro American Music Institute has experienced continued and steady growth. We started in a church basement and within six years grew into the annex of a health center. It became clear that we needed a permanent home.
In 2003, AAMI purchased a perfect home in the heart of Homewood at 7131 Hamilton Avenue. After purchasing the building, we made improvements and created a musical home for people who love to learn about Afro American musical traditions and our contributions to the world.
AAMI has, for 31 years, consistently generated a better quality of life for Pittsburgh musicians. We would define quality of life to include: training, engaged and knowledgeable audiences, skill to obtain life sustaining income, and local/national/international awareness.
Within these walls children, youth, adults and seniors learn and practice everything from Jazz, Blues, R&B, Gospel, Hip Hop, Classical and Negro Spirituals. And then, we share the results in the community for everyone's enjoyment. We are fortunate to receive almost enough funding for the important, exciting and visible things we do such as:
- AAMI Boys Choir,
- Saturday Youth Jazz Lab,
- Summer Youth Intensive Camp,
- Scholarships for musical instruction,
- Community concerts and the "Come Sunday" Performance Series.
As you know, buildings need maintenance, updates and improvements. So when we talk about: patching the roof, laying new carpet, replacing doors on classrooms, painting the walls, choir chairs designed to assist with correct posture for singing, it might not sound as interesting. But, these things help us remain
Beautiful & Strong, Inside & Out.
Homewood has more than its fair share of challenges. Our building is a symbol, that together, we will face these and any challenges with strength, dignity, and grace. We are not tenants in Homewood. We will not be displaced by the winds of revitalization. We have an ownership stake in this community. We are proof that staying focused on our mission through delivering excellent programming generates measurable results.
It has been made clear to us that people who believe in the relevance, legitimacy and importance of Afro American music must be our own caretakers. The systems in place for SOBs (Symphony, Opera/Orchestra, Ballets) do not apply to us. This makes your contribution even more important. Your contribution is a pledge and a declaration that Afro American contributions to the world deserve and will receive support.
For Everyone's Benefit
Unlike Langston Hughes’ “ A Dream Deferred”, this dream is alive and well as evidenced via a curriculum that provides specialized training in all styles of African-American music. AAMI will continue to provide programs of excellence under the guidance and tutelage of its committed, professional staff and board members. Our experience indicates that youth who participate in AAMI programs gain a better sense of self-confidence, self-esteem, creativity and problem solving skills.
And like our music, our history, and our culture, we must safeguard the home in which the dream is made manifest. Thank you!
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Forward, together!