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Our History
A History Rooted in Music and Community
How We Started
From One Room to a Citywide Ecosystem
Beyond the Bars began in 2015 as a small, volunteer-run music program inside a Philadelphia facility, where young people were incarcerated and tried as adults. While teaching music, we consistently heard the same thing from students: this was their first opportunity to access music in a meaningful, creative, and student-centered way. Many shared that they wished this kind of space had existed earlier in their lives.
Those early experiences shaped our understanding of the problem. The issue was not a lack of talent or interest among young people, but a lack of accessible creative spaces, leadership pathways, and sustained community support. Music became the entry pointâbut the need was systemic.
A Philadelphia nonprofit building music and community on-site
Meeting Young People Where They Are
As students transitioned back into their communities, they asked for opportunities to stay connected to music, mentors, and peers. In response, Beyond the Bars began expanding beyond a single site and into the city, embedding music programs directly into places where young people already wereâschools, shelters, trauma clinics, recreation centers, and community hubs.
This approach became the foundation of our invitational model: instead of requiring young people to find us, we build music labs within existing community spaces and invite youth into creative expression, skill-building, and connection. These programs serve as entry points into a broader ecosystem of ongoing support and opportunity.
Creating Pathways Away From Harm
Building a Community-Based Ecosystem
As the organization grew, it became clear that one-off programs were not enough. Young people needed consistent spaces, long-term relationships, and pathways to grow as artists and leaders. Beyond the Bars responded by developing community hub music programsâongoing, accessible labs where youth can deepen their skills in instruments, production, and songwriting, collaborate with peers, and share their work through performances.
At the same time, students themselves began stepping into leadership roles. This led to the creation of the Student Teacher Program, a paid pathway that supports experienced students in becoming educators, mentors, and facilitators. Today, student teachers play a central role in sustaining programs across the city and teaching the next generation of young artists.
Music Spaces Built Where Youth Are
Systems Require Collaboration
Systems-Level Change
Working Systemically to Address Systemic Problems
Beyond the Bars has grown due to our strong community in Philadelphia which includes over 50 partners. Whether it be reentry, homelessness, anti-violence, trauma focused, assisting victims of sexual abuse, Beyond the Bars has incredible partners that provide resources and services that we do not. BTB works with these partners to build labs, run programs and connect additional youth to the amazing resources that they provide in our community. Through our work with our partners we have worked to build over 45 musical spaces throughout our city where programming can be accessible and students can have safe spaces in their neighborhood to write and record their own music
