By Renada JaNae Toyer
Soulful: expressing or appearing to express deep and often sorrowful feelings.
The word used to describe the heart and soul of every note tells a story. Held in the hands of a young musician, a violin suddenly becomes more than an instrument — it can become a key. A key to confidence, creativity, and an obtainable future. That is what the Black Violin Foundation has been developing for years: doors where there used to be walls, and music where there used to be silence.
“Every time a student tells us they were able to get into college, or that they’re now getting
paid to play. That’s why we do it.”
Corryn Freeman, the president of the Black Violin Foundation (BVF), isn’t magnified. The
nonprofit, founded by Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste of the Grammy-nominated duo Black
Violin, has been transforming many lives by doing something reforming in its simplicity —
giving kids the ability to pursue music.
Many students gained life-altering opportunities through BVF. One specific student from the foundation received a grant to attend a summer arts camp. Just like that, she began to receive scholarships, got into college, and recently returned to the foundation to give back what was sowed deeply into her.
“She came full circle,” Freeman shares. “That’s the beauty of this work. These kids don’t just grow—they come back. They want to lift someone else the way they were lifted.”
Esch story is proof that when the younger generation is given the chance to shine, they find their voice, identity, and rhythm.
More than Music
Yet, Black Violin Foundation’s program isn’t just about learning how to play the violin. It’s about learning that you can do whatever you put your mind to, anything is possible.
Classes begin with performances from professional musicians like Black Violin or Sons of Maestro, artists who break musical stereotypes of what “classical” is supposed to sound and look like. Students seek to find themselves within their artistry. Kids that have different roots, upbringing, and rhythms give them the chance to use that within their music.
“That moment of inspiration is everything,” Freeman exclaims. “We’ve had 15 spots open at one location and more than 60 applicants. These kids see what’s possible, and they want in.”
Within the classroom, students aren’t only taught techniques and notes. They are built up on confidence and constantly told that you are a musician now, not someday. Mistakes aren’t failures; they’re lessons. As Freeman expresses it, “There are no wrong notes, they’re just your notes.”
Forgetting Barriers, Building Belonging
“There is a place for art in the world,” Freeman firmly says. “And there’s a place for you in it.” Black Violin Foundation offers grants and free lessons that have allowed students to attend
Julliard, international arts programs, and competitive summer opportunities that used to be out of reach. The impact the foundation has is palpable and is constantly growing.
This November, Black Violin Foundation is opening applications for after-school violin lessons for students ages 9-18. Students will learn, create, and perform with professional teaching artists, gaining not just musical skills, but a deep sense of purpose and potential.
The program runs through May 2026 across three South Florida locations — Miami, Lauderhill, and Coral Springs. These hard-working lessons lead up to the Dreamer Arts Festival in June 2026, where students perform on a professional stage for the first time, showcasing what they’ve learned and their growth throughout the process.
“Everything we do comes from the heart,” Freeman says.
Now, the foundation is opening its heart once again.
Applications for Intersections are open now through October 28th, 2025. The Black Violin Foundation is currently seeking new applicants, especially at the Coral Springs location, where all students are welcomed into an environment filled with love, music, and creativity.
To apply or learn more about the foundation, visit tinyurl.com/violin26
Allow your children to seek a sense of belonging: “It’s not just about teaching music. It’s about unlocking something bigger — belief.”
