Thanks to a grant from the FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of Stellantis, students at Southeastern High School have been fine-tuning their musical skills.

The Music Passport program has allowed Southeastern students to learn from musicians and teaching-artists from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

“With a large student roster, providing individual attention is challenging. Visiting teaching-artists provide more specific instruction to the students, and they free me up to work with students they aren’t working with,” said Ronald Q. Perkins Jr., Detroit Public Schools Community District and Southeastern High School Director of Bands.

The program has students fired-up about their music education.

“I’ve actually expanded my tuba skills,” said Southeastern student Antonio. “In middle school I learned the basics, and I thought that’s all there was. I’ve learned that there’s way more to it.”

“This is the first time I’ve ever been excited to come play for class,” added classmate Dante.

Evan Zegiel, a teaching-artist who has performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, said working with the students at Southeastern has been “deeply enriching and rewarding.”

“They made improvements during each and every lesson,” Zegiel said. “The DSO’s influence reaches far and positively influences so many folks. I’m very thankful to have been a small part of it.”