$2 million in free lessons - Astrid Hepner Hamilton Music Collective

From Local Grit · 00:57:37

Show by Alex Hobcraft

Astrid Hepner on building the Hamilton Music Collective and getting music into kids’ handsAstrid Hepner shares how her career took her from Blue Note Records in New York to founding the Hamilton Music Collective in Hamilton. The conversation covers how the organization grew from a small idea into a citywide music education hub, why jazz and improvisation matter for young people, and how the collective sustains accessible programs without losing sight of equity.We discuss how the Hamilton Music Collective started, how it secured early support, and why it now focuses on sustainability, partnerships, and expanding music production opportunities for kids and youth.Key topicsAstrid explains why she left New York after 9/11 and moved to Hamilton to build a calmer life for her family.She shares how her early work at Blue Note Records shaped her leadership, marketing instincts, and professional standards.Astrid describes the organic beginnings of the Hamilton Music Collective, including early fundraising relationships and the first major funding pledge of $150,000 over five years.She talks about Jazz in the Hubs, an early school-based initiative that brought live jazz and instrument stations into inner-city classrooms.She explains why the program is not jazz-only or classical-only, but intentionally genre-inclusive so children can connect through many styles of music.She describes the move into the Gasworks building and how the renovation created rehearsal spaces, a recording studio, and a performance center.We discuss how the organization works with schools, rec centres, the library, the Boys and Girls Club, and local festivals like Supercrawl.Astrid shares the shift from expansion at all costs to sustainability, arguing that growth should mean deeper access and fairness, not just more programs.She talks about new music production and DJ programming, including teaching Ableton and giving students hands-on experience in recording and live sound.She reflects on why music education matters beyond music itself, saying creativity helps kids become better scientists, business people, and problem-solvers too.Timestamps00:00 - From Blue Note Records to Hamilton: Astrid’s path to the city05:22 - Why Hamilton became home after New York felt unsafe08:13 - The fundraising network that helped spark the collective16:00 - Jazz in the Hubs and bringing live music into schools18:19 - The first major pledge and the idea of an instrument for every child21:13 - Why the program is genre-inclusive, not jazz-only26:40 - Finding a home at the Gasworks and building a performance space30:48 - Renovations, rehearsal rooms, and the recording studio32:11 - Partnerships with schools, rec centres, the library, and festivals34:05 - Hiring teachers, admin staff, and building a professional organization36:57 - How marketing and visibility helped the program grow40:00 - Lessons Astrid brought from Blue Note and Bruce Lundvall47:09 - Why the next phase is about sustainability, not just expansion48:35 - Music production, DJ classes, and Ableton training54:29 - Why sponsors and supporters come to them now56:18 - Why creativity matters for kids, not just musiciansNotable quotesCopy“Blue Note was my university, which was paid.”Copy“We’re not begging for money. We provide people with an opportunity to support the community and do something worthwhile with their marketing money.”Copy“It’s incredibly important for kids to be creative.”

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