Nonprofit
Rock to the Future
Also called: Rock to the Fututre
A free music program for young people in under-resourced parts of Philadelphia, run in schools, community centers and the juvenile justice system, with mentoring and college and career help.
- Free
- Newcomers welcome
- Kids OK
- Clearances needed
- Background check
Saved in this browser only.
What they do
Join a free music program such as Lyric Lab, a songwriting class for teens that builds toward a live performance. Volunteers and donors can also help.
Who it is for
- Who can join
- Open to anyone
- Who is there
- Teens, Kids
When and where
Lyric Lab meets Mondays from 4 to 6 pm at One Art Community Center, and Concert Creators meets Thursdays from 4 to 6 pm at the same site. Music Production meets Mondays from 6 to 7:30 pm at a second site. The two MusiCore after-school programs meet at schools until 6 pm: Kensington on Mondays and Wednesdays, and Germantown on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Days
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
- Times
- Daytime, Evening
One Art Community Center
- Address
- 1431 N 52nd St
As I Plant This Seed (Music Production)
- Address
- 3959 N 9th St
- Part of the city
- North
Kensington High School (MusiCore After School)
- Address
- 2051 Cumberland St
- Part of the city
- River Wards
Roosevelt Elementary School (MusiCore After School)
- Address
- 430 E Washington Ln
- Part of the city
- Upper Northwest
Your first visit
Feeling unsure the first time is normal. Most groups are glad when someone new walks in.
First step: Use the Sign Up Today form on the Join Now page for Lyric Lab or another program, or call 215-302-9633..
You need to sign up first.
What to expect
Lyric Lab meets Mondays from 4 to 6 pm at One Art Community Center for teens aged 13 to 19. Beginners are welcome, and students write original music together toward a performance. Meals, transit passes, and instruments are provided at no cost. After you send the interest form, a team member follows up.
Tips for your first visit
- Fill in the interest form on the join page before you come, since a team member follows up after it.
- Check the age range: Lyric Lab and Music Production list ages 13 to 19, and MusiCore lists grades 6 to 12.
- If you are not from Kensington High School or Roosevelt Elementary, join the MusiCore waitlist through the interest form.
- If you want to volunteer, you can attend an orientation before your background checks are finished.
Newcomer welcome
Welcoming to newcomers (4 out of 5). Why we say this: The join page says beginners are welcome, supplies and instruments are provided, and each program has a Sign Up Today form. The MusiCore spots at the two schools are limited to their own students for now, with a waitlist for others..
Cost and commitment
- Cost
- Free. Free. Meals, transit passes, and instruments or supplies are provided.
Access and languages
- Wheelchair access
- We do not know yet. Ask the group before you go.
- Languages spoken
- We do not know yet which languages are spoken.
Requirements
Pennsylvania child clearances
This group works with children. Pennsylvania law says adults who volunteer with children need clearances. The usual ones are a child abuse history check and a State Police criminal record check. Some people also need an FBI fingerprint check. Ask the group which ones you need and how to get them. For unpaid volunteers, the clearances last five years.
- This group asks for a background check.
- Children can take part with a parent.
How to reach them
We copy contact details as the group or a public source published them. Each one shows where it came from.
- Website: rocktothefuture.org Source: Philadelphia Cultural Fund grantee directory, seen October 4, 2026 ; Source: rocktothefuture.org, seen October 8, 2026
- Email: Info@RocktotheFuture.org Source: rocktothefuture.org, seen October 8, 2026
- Phone: 215-302-9633 Source: rocktothefuture.org, seen October 8, 2026
Sources and last check
Checked by our research team on October 8, 2026. This was a closer look, including what a first visit is like.
- Last seen active
- October 2026 (See the evidence)
- Last checked by our team
- October 8, 2026
- Status
- Active
- Our confidence in this listing
- High
- Philadelphia Cultural Fund grantee directory, seen October 4, 2026. Supports: Name, Website
- rocktothefuture.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: Summary, What they do, Cost, Schedule, Location, First step, Contacts, Status
- rocktothefuture.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: First step, Schedule, Location, Cost, Who can join, First visit tips
- rocktothefuture.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: Clearances, Background check, Roles, First visit tips
- rocktothefuture.org, seen October 8, 2026. Supports: Status, Last sign of life, Sign of life url
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