We recently connected with Antonia Burton and have shared our conversation below.

Antonia, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The mission is elevating lives with music. I grew up in East Cleveland, OH. it is a neighborhood that has a lower socioeconomic status. I joined the high school marching band in middle school. It was just getting started again after being shut down in the city. Through this program I worked with other kids, became a section leader and taught music to my peers through the 12th grade. This program made such an impact on us because it elevated our view of life from where we currently were. we had visions of college and doing much more that was available to us. It helped a lot of at risk youth stay out of trouble and have something constructive to do.

Teaching piano to those of a lower socioeconomic status is the same concept. Piano lessons are expensive. Getting grant funded and providing free group lessons helps elevate lives with music. They leave with confidence in their goals and go much farther just starting with these classes. Students also leave with more discipline, patience, group skills and much, much more.

Antonia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Classes first began in 2013 at New Life At Calvary church located in Cleveland. I was asked if she could teach a members granddaughter. Ambitious Artists LLC was founded April 6, 2016. Classes began rolling and soon group lessons evolved to help those that couldn’t afford private lessons. Group lessons turned into after school programs and has grown to different locations. Currently I write grants to give a free group program.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The pandemic caused in person classes to slow down. I want sure how to proceed because I taught at a school and now the classes were moving online. I had to pull help from my musician friends and teachers for this one! But the good news is that I learned online software and figured how to teach online! Piano lessons are now online for those that need it. Whether private lessons or groups, piano has gotten high tech! All you need is a computer, access to the internet and a keyboard!

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I lost my job and I was on unemployment. Obama was president at the time and a program was offered for free to do learn how to start your own business. I got in the program, got business consulting, incorporated in 2016 and got a grant to buy my first keyboards and class equipment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lovemusic1114.wixsite.com/ambitiousartists
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitious_artists
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmbitiousArtists1/