720-838-3888
Changing lives through music in the Colorado Department of Corrections
Musical Freedom currently provides piano, violin, viola, cello, and vocal lessons inside The Denver Women’s Correctional Facility. We seek to provide musical skills to those incarcerated as well as promote confidence in interacting with those on the “outside”.
We seek to provide an opportunity to those imprisoned to find a respite from the stresses of day-to-day prison life. Instructors take time to actively listen as well as give musical instruction. We also seek to provide an outlet for leisure time that involves something constructive, relaxing and builds social relations. Learning to play an instrument, sing, or be part of a group are skills that can be valuable in forming new relationships both inside the walls of a prison and on the outside for those released.
Involvement with a caring instructor from the outside helps build confidence and self-esteem. Being able to bring musical skills to a group setting, such as a band, orchestra, or singing group, also provides for a healthy social outlet and group involvement both inside prison walls and in the outside world. We encourage music students to practice together whenever possible and to teach each other. Learning to cooperate and work together are valuable life skills.
There is a need inside the prison system for programs, such as Musical Freedom, which assist offenders to develop new skills, attitudes, and outlooks on life so they have a better chance of becoming productive citizens once released back into society.
The Need for Funds / How Funds are Utilized:
What We Do
Donate Now
This program is entirely funded through dontations that
are necessary for music instruments, instrument repairs,
stipends for instructors, awards for participants, etc.
We are grateful for your generous support.
Meet Our Volunteer Team
Founder & Team Leader
Strings & Piano
Piano Teacher
Ellen Moeller
Please Click on the Volunteer button for more information.
Technical Engineer
Piano
Piano Teacher
Volunteer
Please Click on the Volunteer button for more information.
Volunteer
Please Click on the Volunteer button for more information.
Get In Touch
Andy Zack, Regional Volunteer Coordinator
One of my tasks with Faith & Citizen Programs, something I love, is to do the volunteer training. At each basic training for new volunteers, I take time for volunteers to share who they are, what their program is, and what drives their passion. I get tears in my eyes as I listen to their stories. Here are some things that I have learned about our volunteers:
Volunteers are like God, who sows good seeds of love, grace, and mercy hoping for a great harvest of changed lives.
When I ask incarcerated individuals how have volunteers helped you, one person said, “Every week, for just a few hours, I feel like I’m not in prison, that I’m part of something bigger, a community of people who care.” Another said, “I have committed many horrible crimes. When I think of these volunteers who come in week after week, driving from far away, and thinking it could have been a member of their own families, it deeply humbles me and has caused me to grow and change.” Another said, “I’ve had three dramatic epiphanies and defining moments in the past years. They have all come as a result of volunteer programs.”
Research was done to measure the impact of volunteer services and research has found that: