Offering specialized music instruction for an assortment of string, percussion, brass and woodwind instruments, the Sioux Falls-based “Encore Music Initiative” works to provide all middle school students with access to private lessons.
Founded during the summer of 2023 by LHS alumni Arthur Tao and Falco Gerling, the idea was sparked after they noticed a drop in engagement with school-based music programs for students entering a higher grade level.
“We lose so many kids every year between middle school and high school,” said LHS senior Hannah Basel. “[Encore] offers kids a way to both get better at their instruments and also connect with high school mentors.”
As of the 2024-2025 school year, Basel has taken on a key position for Encore and works to continue the program’s original mission. In efforts to spark enthusiasm and higher participation in district-wide music programs, Encore and its high school-level mentors provide free music lessons to middle school students outside the typical classroom setting.
“Being involved in an activity, especially music, teaches you how to work hard, how to pay attention to details and how to listen sensitively,” said Basel. “I think it’s very beneficial in that it gives kids something to be passionate about.”
The program depends on high school musicians in top orchestras and bands to serve as mentors for participating students. Once a mentor and a middle schooler are paired up, they can begin to work at an individual level to target specific areas and cater to personal strengths and weaknesses.
“My favorite part of being a mentor is just being able to see kids that maybe wouldn’t have done or stayed in music as much as they would have in past years,” said LHS senior and Encore member Jacob Pagone. “Seeing these kids start to really love music in ways that they haven’t before has been really gratifying.”
While the classroom can be a conducive environment to rehearse and develop skills in a group setting, there is something to be said about the benefits of private instruction and one on-one practice.

“When you’re just playing in your school orchestra, yes you can improve. It’s good to play your instrument in whatever context, but you don’t get any individual attention,” said Basel. “When you have private lessons, it really makes a huge difference in that suddenly someone is listening to you and only you. [They] can tell you the specific things that you can do to improve.”
Along with the volunteer opportunities that accompany the job, high school mentors may also take something for themselves from the experience.
“There is something to be said by helping the middle schoolers and by listening to their music and helping them improve,” said Basel. “You also learn more about your instrument and your own playing. It puts you in a more pragmatic mindset.”
As for Encore’s current agenda, members of the organization recently visited the music programs at Patrick Henry Middle School to open registration and encourage students to sign up. This school year, they plan to extend the invite to both WHS and Whittier Middle School students, opening opportunities for more mentors and middle schoolers.
“We have juniors, sophomores and freshmen all in our team ready to continue the program,” said Pagone. “We hope to become a district-wide non-profit organization that can access more kids outside of Lincoln.”

This story was originally published on The Statesman on October 2, 2024.