East Lake Expression Engine is an after-school and summer music program that seeks to develop the creativity, discipline, problem solving skills, social skills, and spiritual maturity of its students through musical instruction and collaboration in a gospel-centered environment.
Mission + Vision
Our Mission
East Lake Expression Engine is an after-school and summer music program that seeks to develop the creativity, discipline, problem solving skills, social skills, and spiritual maturity of its students through musical instruction and collaboration in a gospel-centered environment.
Our Vision
Our purpose is to serve underprivileged students in our community. We offer open access to the underserved by taking away typical hurdles to music instruction such as tuition charges and ability-based auditions, enabling us to include materially-poor students of many skill levels and ethnic backgrounds.
What we Aim for
Our unique combination of music education and tutoring, in partnership with a local church, provides a safe and nurturing environment where students Pre-K through 12th grade can learn instruments, participate in ensembles, perform in various settings, and build relationships with peers and mentors across racial and social divides. We believe that music instruction is a powerful tool for individual growth and social transformation. We are inspired by the musical ideals of the El Sistema movement, viewing music as an effective avenue for developing children’s creativity and problem solving skills, and building up strong communities. The Engine also supports the New City Fellowship East Lake church’s presence and work through gospel-centered relationships with children in the greater East Lake neighborhood.
We are an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Co-founders: Libby O'Neil, Evelyn Petcher, & Michael Kendall.