Music plays a very special part in the lives of so many students. It can become their safe place, their escape from the stressors of life, their breath of fresh air in the middle of a school day, and an opportunity to form a love that could last for a lifetime. Apart from the social-emotional benefits of music education, it has also proven to help develop brain function that can improve language skills, test scores, creativity, and even math. Two of our grant winners recognized just how much music and academics go together.