Pythagorean Rhythms takes a multi-faceted approach when addressing academic performance disparity in marginalized communities by 'stemming' music in children.

It is scientifically proven that children who practice musical instruments and/or listen to music from a young age show significantly greater ability to recognize patterns and have heightened spatial-reasoning skills compared to children who don't. Pythagorean Rhythms targets the youth who don't. Youth whose race, ethnicity and gender are disproportionately less represented in S.T.E.M working fields in America.

This targeted program will instill children (from age 4) with the classical techniques and training they need to explore their musical and artistic talents, while exposing them to an array of instruments and genres, including classical, jazz and contemporary. This program also aims to make our 'disconnected' youth contributors in the music world by driving them to create and compose music, not just consume.

Pythagorean Rhythms bridges the art divide by giving 'disconnected' youth an opportunity to express themselves and develop an alternative paradigm to heightening academic performance through music.

For more information: https://www.chicagoshapers.org/our-impact