Island Music Co., Phoenix International School of the Arts, and Free Guitars 4 Kids Team Up

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Island Music Co., Phoenix International School of the Arts, and Free Guitars 4 Kids Team Up to Create a Life-Changing Musical Experience for Maryland Students

La Plata, MD – February 10, 2026 — Island Music Co. and Phoenix International School of the Arts (PISOTA) are partnering with national nonprofit Free Guitars 4 Kids (FG4K) to give two Charles County students an unforgettable introduction to music—one that begins with a guitar of their own and the encouragement to pursue their creative potential.

On February 10, two Charles County students who have expressed interest in learning guitar will visit Island Music Co. after school for a special experience designed to inspire confidence, creativity, and connection through music. During the visit, each student will select their very own guitar, donated by Free Guitars 4 Kids and Island Music Co. To support their musical journey beyond day one, the students will also receive one month of free guitar lessons from Island Music Co.

In addition to supporting these two students, the partnership will extend its impact to the broader school community. Phoenix International School of the Arts will receive three additional instruments—an acoustic guitar, a bass, and an electric guitar—ensuring more students have access to hands-on music education and creative exploration.

“This is exactly what we mean when we talk about removing barriers to music,” said Ben Dudley, Executive Director, FG4K. “When a child is given an instrument, mentorship, and encouragement, it opens doors far beyond music. We’re proud to partner with Island Music Co. and PISOTA to make that possible.”

Island Music Co. has long been committed to supporting musicians at every stage of their journey, and this collaboration reflects their belief in the power of early access and community engagement.

“This is exactly what Island Music is here for.  We open our doors each day looking forward to providing a personal and curated experience for musicians that only brick and mortar stores can provide.  Every musician remembers the magic of purchasing their very first instrument and our staff is thrilled to be able to contribute to this moment for these kids.  We are always eager to help out with the FG4K mission because it is a cause we believe in wholeheartedly.  We talk to professional musicians every single day and they all have their own stories of how music and the musical community have enriched their lives,” says Keith Grasso, owner of Island Music Company.

Phoenix International School of the Arts, known for its commitment to arts-integrated education, sees this partnership as a meaningful extension of its mission to nurture creativity and self-expression in students.

“At PISOTA, we believe every child deserves access to high-quality arts education and the tools to express their creativity. This partnership with Free Guitars 4 Kids and Island Music Co. perfectly embodies our mission of removing barriers and opening doors for our students. When we place an instrument in a student’s hands and surround them with mentorship and encouragement, we’re not just teaching music—we’re affirming their potential and investing in their future. We’re deeply grateful to our partners for believing in our students and demonstrating that our community is committed to ensuring zip code doesn’t determine destiny,” said Angelica Jackson, PISOTA CEO.

Together, the three organizations are demonstrating how local businesses, schools, and national nonprofits can collaborate to create lasting impact—one guitar, one student, and one story at a time.

About Free Guitars 4 Kids

Free Guitars 4 Kids (FG4K) is a national non-profit organization on a mission to transform the lives of kids in underserved communities through the gift of a guitar. Since 2020, we’ve given away over 4,000 guitars across 24 states, partnering with more than 80 nonprofits, schools, and after-school programs to ensure each gift is transformational, not transactional. Through these partnerships, children receive not only instruments but also mentorship and instruction—empowering them to grow as musicians, creators, and confident individuals.

Founded in June 2020, FG4K is built on the conviction that music is one of the greatest gifts we’ve been given. Music has the power to unlock creativity, enhance cognitive development, build confidence, and foster emotional resilience. By putting guitars in the hands of kids, we aim to create a lasting impact in their lives.

We invite you to learn more about our work at fg4k.org. Join us in our mission to make music accessible for all—and help change a child’s life, one guitar at a time.

About Island Music Co.

Island Music Company is a full-service music store offering an extensive selection of instruments, accessories, and music essentials for musicians of all levels. In addition to its well-curated retail inventory, Island Music Company features a professional in-house service department providing expert repairs, maintenance, and instrument care. The company also offers comprehensive music lessons for children and adults, taught by experienced instructors across a wide range of instruments and styles. Committed to quality, expertise, and community, Island Music Company supports musicians at every stage of their musical journey.

For more information, visit www.islandmusicco.com or follow Island Music Company on all social media platforms!

About Phoenix International School of the Arts

Phoenix International School of the Arts (PISOTA) is Charles County’s first community-founded public charter school, serving 250+ middle school students through an innovative arts-integrated educational model. PISOTA inspires and prepares the next generation of global artists, scholars, innovators, and changemakers by combining rigorous academics with daily arts instruction, global competence development, and holistic wellness support. Operated by Phoenix International Incorporated, a Southern Maryland-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization, PISOTA is committed to ensuring that zip code doesn’t determine destiny—providing world-class educational experiences to students in rural Southern Maryland who have historically been marginalized due to location or socio-economic standing. Through partnerships with renowned institutions like the Kennedy Center and Grammy-nominated artists, PISOTA opens doors to opportunities that transform lives and communities.

Learn more: https://www.pisota.org/about