Beaver Island has always had its own song—kept alive in its traditions and carried in the hearts of its people. Through TUNES Music Makers, that song is growing louder, brighter, and more accessible to everyone in our community.

Heading into our third year, TUNES has become a source of pride and connection on the island. More than sixty islanders of all ages have taken lessons in guitar, piano, fiddle, mandolin, ukulele, accordion, saxophone, and voice. With both in-person and virtual options, we’re offering opportunities that simply haven’t been available here in years.

This year brought moments we’ll never forget.
At our annual fundraiser, our students performed for the very first time—brave young learners standing shoulder to shoulder with our senior students—playing to a crowd of more than 175 people. The room rose to its feet. The smiles said everything.

One of our 12-year-old students even opened the 2025 Bud McDonough Memorial Softball Tournament with a solo electric-guitar National Anthem. That moment captured the spirit of TUNES: courage, talent, and heart.

Ruby John filled the halls with fiddle music and joy, connecting students to rhythms woven into Beaver Island’s heritage. We brought an Instrument Petting Zoo to the school. We soft-launched our Rock Band Class. We connected students to instructors all over Michigan through virtual learning, but Ireland too! We watched kids discover their confidence, their style, and their spark.

The stories this year have been powerful.
A student learning a song to play at his uncle’s memorial.
Parents telling us music is transforming their homes.
Teachers noticing quiet students stepping into the light.
A mother sharing that her daughter nearly walked away from music—until TUNES gave her a path that finally felt like hers.

These moments are the heartbeat of TUNES.

Access to music education is not a given on Beaver Island. Travel barriers, weather, and limited resources make it difficult to sustain consistent opportunities. But with your support, we can ensure that every child and every community member has a chance to learn, grow, and connect through music.

🌟 Looking Ahead

As we move into our third full year, we are excited to keep growing. In 2026, we plan to expand group classes in our new studio, strengthen our Rock Band program, and bring more teaching artists to the island. We are also working to implement a music therapy program designed to support mental health, healing, and emotional expression for students of all ages. With your help, we can make these goals a reality and ensure that the next year of TUNES is filled with even more confidence, creativity, and connection.

🎵 Your gift to TUNES for Tomorrow makes an immediate impact

$50 provides one lesson for a student
$200 covers a month of private lessons for one student
$600 sponsors a full 12-week session for one student
$1,000+ supports group classes like Rock Band and professional development

Every donation, large or small, helps us keep the music playing. Together, we are building confidence, preserving tradition, and nurturing harmony in the heart of Beaver Island.

Help us reach our $25,000 goal to sustain lessons for every child who wants to learn. Because when you give to TUNES, you are giving Beaver Island TUNES for Tomorrow.

Other ways you can give:

TUNES, PO Box 46, Beaver Island, MI 49782

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/tunesmusicmakers

TUNES for Tomorrow

Preserving Beaver Island's musical legacy while inspiring tomorrow's voices.

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