Michelle Edgar is just…AWESOME. Meeting Michelle was one of those things that was meant to happen — several of our mutual friends insisted that we get together, and as soon as I met her I understood why. I passionately believe that now, more than ever, public schools should continue to allocate funding to music and arts departments in order to create an expressive outlet for students. After all, music brings people together, allows voices to be heard, and increases self-esteem and productivity.

My philanthropic passions stemmed from watching a 60 Minutes segment on El Sistema, an orchestral program in Caracas, Venezuela, where they took underprivileged youth and taught them music.

As a trained concert pianist, I knew firsthand the impact music had in my self-discovery and personal development. I felt fortunate that my family had resources to support my musical development and talent, and I knew I wanted to do something to help those that weren’t as fortunate as me.

Michelle Edgar is a business development executive and thought leader from New York City who pushes the needle in the music industry. Having worked most recently at Red Light Management as VP of business development and Warner Brothers Records in brand partnerships, she has helped develop artist brands and create strategic partnerships with fortune 500 companies. Her work expands to artists such as The Black Keys, Gary Clark Jr., Natasha Bedingfield, Tiesto, Steve Angello, and The Kin (seen above).

Every great story begins with a great passion. When you meet Michelle Edgar you can instantly feel that she is incredibly passionate about everything she does, but especially when it includes the love of her life: Music. Michelle started pursuing music at a very young age, and her career path has had quite an interesting trajectory. Being a professional pianist, she initially chose a journalistic path, but eventually discovered her calling to make a difference in children’s lives around the United States through music.

When we recently shook our junk at our Revelry Issue release celebration to the playlist of our cover star, Theophilus London, Michelle Edgar was our partner on the dance floor. Later that evening, we weren’t surprised when she told us she’s worked with Theo in the past. Of course she had—cause she’s an empowering-professional-brand-developing-music maven—and she’s setting a high note in the music and entertainment industry through her non-profit, Music Unites, to empower at-risk students through music by providing after school programs, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and life-changing opportunities through ‘Music-Versity’ happenings across New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

As we wrap up March, or otherwise known as ” Music In Our Schools” Month, I think about all of the kids impacted by our Music Unites programs throughout the city over the past five years, and how we’ve really created a family of like-minded, creative and talented kids who use Music Unites as the vehicle to express themselves and enjoy music at its most organic form.

Founded Music Unites, the leading nonprofit charity organization supporting music education around the world which supports talented artists struggling to get their music heard and, in turn, supports communities in need of musical rejuvenation.