Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Oates.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kevin. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Starting as a music educator in the public schools for 8 years, I quickly realized there was a disconnect for music students to apply themselves outside the classroom. As a cellist who has gone on tour and recorded in the studio, I wanted to create a way for middle and high school students to learn the skill set necessary to be an active musician after graduation. This became the spark that is Maine Youth Rock Orchestra (MYRO).
In February 2014 I launched the first rehearsal of MYRO with only 11 students in the ensemble. Today we have 35 rock start students enrolled MYRO and our beginner ensemble MYROCK. These students have performed in front of more than 35,000 fans, shared the stage with 40+ national artists and were the first youth orchestra in history to tour with a band. These middle and high school students have shared the stage with Guster, Gregory Alan Isakov, Darlingside, The Ballroom Thieves, Casey Abrams, John Stirratt (Wilco) and have been featured on NPR ‘First Watch’ and TEDx, all before they graduate high school.
Honestly, they are all way cooler than we will ever be. This growth has allowed us to hire employees, and grown our team to provide our fans, students and educators the resources to take our foundation and bring it into their lives, both on and off the stage.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but honestly, no successful business should have a smooth road. Those obstacles and struggles get you either a road to success, or they become crippling.
Our struggles of validating the value and quality of a youth rock orchestra has been the largest to face head-on. We often received comments like “that’s cute” or “that is a fun little hobby.” However, that’s the farthest from what we do. These students rehearse weekly and don’t strive for mediocrity.
MYRO has built up an experience and resume that few youth orchestras in the national can rival, all while being successful in a state that has less than 10 orchestra programs in the schools. We don’t battle those comments or mindsets with responses. We use proof of concept and our concerts as evidence to speak for itself.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Maine Youth Rock Orchestra story. Tell us more about the business.
Maine Youth Rock Orchestra (MYRO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that redefines music education for students (ages 12-18) of all backgrounds and demographics through collaboration with national artists, creating transformational experiences.
Through live performances, recording sessions, music videos, and touring, our rock star students get the recognition they deserve for their hard work and dedication through music. Since 2014 MYRO has shared the stage with Guster, Gregory Alan Isakov, John Stirratt (Wilco), Casey Abrams, The Ballroom Thieves, Darlingside, Tall Heights and 40 more national artists.
In 2016 MYRO was the first youth orchestra in history to tour with a band (The Ballroom Thieves), performing shows from Maine to Virginia. What motivates me the most to keep building and expanding MYRO is to see the growth of our students through the season, both on and off the stage. By giving students real-world application to their instrument, they discover the numerous paths they can follow with their music after high school.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
To me, luck has nothing to do with it. For the success or failure of any business, it comes down to the person behind the vision. If an individual starts a business, especially a nonprofit organization, the passion for their mission should radiate from them at all times.
By living your mission, putting in the work and being a positive and grateful human, the opportunity will occur, and the payoff is endlessly gratifying.
Contact Info:
- Address: 142 High Street Ste. 223
Portland, ME 04101 - Website: rockorchestras.org
- Phone: (207)370-1385
- Email: admin@rockorchestras.org
- Instagram: @rockorchestras
- Facebook: @rockorchestras
- Twitter: @rockorchestras
- Other: redefinerock.com
Image Credit:
Lauryn Hottinger, Mark Fleming
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