Join our FAN CLUB and make a direct impact on a kid’s life today!
Mission
Rawkstars doesn’t exist to churn out virtuosos. Instead, we seek to teach kids and young adults life skills through music. We do this by synthesizing music education, music performance and cultivating a vibrant Fan Club community to make the world a better place. It’s less about becoming an expert musician and more about developing skills that serve them and the community throughout their lives. Music is the vehicle, not the destination.
Vision
Our vision is to live in a society where music education is not a luxury item. We see it as a core human right, similar to education, health care and access to clean drinking water. Talent is evenly distributed, opportunity is not. Rawkstars empowers our students to step into their existing greatness by removing the obstacles that stand in their way.
Our Programs
Instruments
Tell us what instrument you want to play and Rawkstars will provide one.
Music Lessons
Wherever you live, Rawkstars will arrange for music lessons on the instrument of your choice, in your area, on your schedule.
Guitars Behind Bars
Rawkstars supports music and arts curriculum for incarcerated young adults.
Music Therapy
Music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals.
Recording & Production
Rawkstars students can benefit from access and guidance in songwriting and music creation in a studio setting.
Performance
Rawkstars promotes and produces events in which students can showcase their skills.
FAQ's
If approved, students receive a Rawkstars scholarship and don’t pay anything. Attendance, passion and ongoing communication are the only requirements.
Kids and young adults in the New England area are eligible for Rawkstars.
Yes! If instruments are in working order and can be repurposed, we want them. Sometimes, large items like drum kits and pianos are not feasible due to storage limitations. Best bet is to send us a note (link to the web form) with details and pictures of the item. We can arrange pickup from there.
Becoming a member of our Fan Club is the best way to impact Rawkstars, but we also have other needs. Professional services like design, video production and studio time are super helpful. We’re always looking for passionate folks who want to help raise awareness, lead a team of volunteers or help plan events. Please reach out (link to the web form) so we can talk more.
Fan Club
As an ongoing part of the Rawkstars Fan Club community, you’ll be helping kids realize their full potential by becoming part of their personal journey. Rawkstars does together what none of us could do alone. Our fans stand for something bigger than themselves and change the world for kids, families and each other. One instrument at a time.
What to expect?
- Regular updates from Rawkstars showing directly how your support is used
- Guest List access and VIP seating for all Rawkstars sponsored concerts
- Men’s and Women’s Rawkstars custom merch, designed specifically for Fan Club members
- Invitation only student showcases, where students will perform “live”
- Year end report, showcasing specifically how your donations made a difference.
- Free entry into future Rawkstars giveaways and concert experiences
- Fulfillment from knowing you personally helped a child reach their full potential, through the power of music and generosity
FAQ's
Yes, we take your security very seriously. This page (and the entire site) is encrypted with 128-bit SSL, meaning that any information you submit is secure.
Yes, you will be billed each month (if you choose the monthly subscription) or each year (if you choose the yearly subscription). You can cancel at any time.
If you would like to contribute more, you can go here and choose your own monthly or yearly contribution.
There is a link in your member profile. Or you can email me personally (jj@rawkstars.org) and I’ll get it done.
Yes! Periodically, we will schedule concerts featuring Rawkstars students and their families. Performing music is a critical step in developing self-confidence and other traits which can’t be replicated by simply practicing alone. As part of our Fan Club, you’ll be invited to attend all of our planned concert events free of charge.
The overwhelming majority of funding for Rawkstars goes directly to student lessons and programming. Since our inception, we have been run by an all-volunteer board and function with minimal overhead. That said, some funds are required for critical organizational expenses such as internet access, software subscriptions, professional services and operational costs.
Teaching Life Skills through music
Rawkstars is run by an all volunteer Board who have experienced the power of music first hand.
Jonathan Jacobs: Founder, Executive Director
Music is secondary. Rawkstars is teaching life skills. Confidence, self-esteem, discipline, accountability, hard work and leadership, among others.
When a kid demonstrates the courage to perform music in front of people, that experience will serve them throughout their lives.
When asked to present a book report in front of the class, training in music will ensure they do so with preparation, skill and creativity.
When they interview for a job and shake hands with their future boss, these skills will have given them the confidence to meet the challenges of any workplace.
I know this because Rawkstars is the embodiment of my own life story.
I was a directionless kid from a broken family before discovering myself through music. In my late teens, I was inspired to pursue a career as a sound engineer and became relentlessly focused on achieving that dream. I attribute that transformation directly to my participation in music.
I spent the next 10+ years working in the music business, gigging and traveling the world. Through these experiences, I learned focus, discipline, collaboration, problem solving, self-confidence, leadership, respect for others and many other valuable life skills
More than music, I found a path of experiential learning that would forever change my life.
Leveraging these skills, I successfully transitioned to the world of technology as a direct result of my experience in music. I have since worked in various technology leadership roles in the business world for 20 years.
In those roles, I’ve led teams and projects for some of the world’s most recognizable brands, including Good Year, Procter & Gamble, Warner Bros. Records, L.L. Bean, General Motors, AT&T, Upromise, Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, NESN and Hasbro.
After receiving support and mentorship during my journey, I recognized the responsibility to give back. Specifically, I’ve sought to help kids without access to similar opportunities. I’ve volunteered with Big Brother/Big Sister, Year Up, The Home For Little Wanderers, The Boys & Girls Club and similar nonprofits which support local youth and families.
Being a mentor and serving others has been among the most impactful experiences of my life.
Combining the skills and experience I’ve accumulated through music, technology, business and volunteering, Rawkstars was born.
Rawkstars is a Massachusetts based 501c3, nonprofit corporation. We service kids and young adults in the New England area by providing music based services, free of charge. Rawkstars is run by an all volunteer Board of Directors and was founded in November of 2003.
During that time we have supported hundreds of local students and families with programming including private music lessons, instrument donations, music therapy, music programs in prison, group music classes, music performance, songwriting, drum circles, music recording, music video production and education scholarships for musical related fields.
Ambassadors
Get in touch!
Many factors determine student eligibility and each request is unique. We encourage you to get in touch via email to discuss your needs and determine if Rawkstars can asssist.
The Office
Address: P.O. Box 55 East Taunton, MA. 02718 | Phone: 617.750.0775
Email: info@rawkstars.org
