Detroit, MI – Crescendo Detroit, an after-school program founded by University of Michigan alum Damien Crutcher, is striking a ‘crescendo’ in the realm of arts education, fostering artistic excellence and character building among children aged 5 to 18. With a unique approach that combines music and dance programming, literacy and life skill courses, homework support, and daily meals, Crescendo aims to address the full spectrum of a child’s life, fostering discipline, focus, and self-esteem.
For 10th-grade student Madisyn Jordan, Crescendo Detroit has been a transformative journey. Learning to play the violin and participating in various classes, she found solace in music as a means of self-expression. Madisyn shares, “I can play it whenever I am feeling happy, sad, or stressed out, and that’s where I go to relax myself and everything.” Introduced to Crescendo in 2019 by her cousin, Jordan Harris, a ‘legacy student’ with a decade-long association with the program, Madisyn exemplifies the positive impact Crescendo has on Detroit’s youth.
Crescendo Detroit goes beyond traditional arts education by incorporating literacy and life skill courses, homework support, and daily meals into its curriculum. Harris, eyeing a career in engineering, attests to the program’s efficacy, stating, “It’s rigorous, but you will come out of here a much more well-rounded person than you were before.” The program emphasizes the value of music as a discipline that transcends into various aspects of life, offering students a holistic and enriching experience.
Founded 11 years ago, Crescendo emerged in response to the observed lack of arts education in Detroit. Damien Crutcher, Crescendo’s founder, remarks, “We wanted to make sure that our kids had access to music, instruments, and dance. It’s important that they have that space. Could you imagine going to school all day and only having math and science and history?” Crescendo’s strategic location within the Dexter-Davison neighborhood ensures accessibility for families without transportation, eliminating barriers to participation.
Crescendo’s impact extends beyond its immediate community through collaborations with institutions like the University of Michigan (U-M) and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO). Students participate in various programs, including the DSO Youth Orchestra, Symphony Band, and Jazz Band. The partnership with U-M involves regular visits to the Ann Arbor campus, where participants engage with music education students, attend performances through the University Musical Society, and broaden their cultural horizons.
Crescendo’s commitment to improving focus, discipline, and self-esteem reflects in the personal and academic growth of its students. One parent highlights the program’s influence on her daughter, stating, “Before Crescendo, she never mentioned going to college. Now she’s talking about going to college, learning to play the flute and taking it overseas maybe, and even teaching.”
Crescendo Detroit continues to create a harmonious symphony of artistic exploration, education, and personal development, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of Detroit’s youth. As the program thrives, it exemplifies the potential for arts education to empower and inspire the next generation.
