Funding supports access to music education for underserved students
across the Tampa Bay regionST. PETERSBURG, FL — The Florida Orchestra has received a $10,000 grant from the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation to purchase additional instruments to expand its Strings for Kids program, strengthening access to high-quality music education for children in underserved communities. The grant will fund 14 violins and three cellos – including cases and bows – which enables the orchestra to grow the program to about 130 students in the 2026-27 season while advancing the orchestra’s commitment to education and health and wellness. The funding ensures that more students in Title I elementary schools can participate in a program that goes far beyond learning to play an instrument, supporting emotional well-being, building creative confidence and fostering connection through music. “The Florida Orchestra is deeply committed to meeting students where they are and providing access to transformative arts experiences,” said Michelle Kim-Painter, VP of Education and Community Impact for the largest professional orchestra in the state. “This support allows us to expand that work, bringing music education and essential life skills to more children across our community. Together, we are investing in the long-term well-being of young people throughout the region.” Through concerts and innovative education and community programs, TFO serves more than 150,000 residents each year — nearly half for free or low cost. Suncoast Credit Union, Florida’s largest credit union, founded the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation to promote the education, health and emotional well-being of children in the community. Each time a Suncoast member uses their debit or credit card, the credit union donates four cents to the Foundation to fund local initiatives. Since its inception in 1990, the Foundation has raised and donated over $61 million. “It gives us great pride that this donation will benefit the Strings for Kids program” said Jeff Kunberger, Executive Director of Suncoast Credit Union Foundations. “Investing in our kids is an investment in our community, and expanding access to music education helps children build discipline and creativity.” At its core, Strings for Kids creates pathways to success through the tool of music. Taught by trained string instructors and professional musicians, the program provides free weekly group string instruction, integrated learning experiences, instruments and all necessary materials at no cost to families. Students learn the fundamentals of violin and cello, music theory and ensemble performance, while also building confidence, focus and discipline. The program is part of the orchestra’s commitment to health and wellness, demonstrating how music supports the whole child. What distinguishes Strings for Kids is its holistic, trauma-sensitive approach and its integration of music with broader creative learning. Instruction is paired with socio-emotional practices such as breathing exercises, children’s yoga and guided journaling. Additional enrichment opportunities include live chamber music performances, field trips to arts institutions and an interdisciplinary filmmaking project. Each semester culminates in a performance, where students share their progress with peers, families and their community. This investment comes at a time of significant growth for the Strings for Kids program. During the 2025-26 season, Strings for Kids expanded into Hillsborough County, launched new classes at Seventy-Fourth Street Elementary, and established a partnership with Fairmount Park Elementary beginning in fall 2026. Continued collaborations with the Boys & Girls Club at the Royal Theater, Lakewood Elementary and Sandy Lane Elementary Conservatory of the Arts further extend the program’s reach. About The Florida Orchestra
The Florida Orchestra’s mission is to INSPIRE | EDUCATE | UNITE to build community through the power of music. As Tampa Bay’s premier performing arts institution — and the largest professional orchestra in Florida — TFO is led by internationally acclaimed Music Director Michael Francis and features 70 full-time musicians and conductors. Now celebrating its 58th season, TFO is widely recognized as one of the most vibrant and innovative orchestras in the nation. Each year, the orchestra reaches more than 150,000 people through more than 100 world-class performances and robust education and community impact programs across Tampa Bay. Its diverse programming spans classical masterworks, popular and film music, family-friendly concerts and collaborations with global artists. Beyond the concert hall, TFO brings music to schools, youth and senior centers and underserved communities, ensuring access to the arts for all. As a cornerstone of the region’s cultural landscape, TFO plays a vital role in strengthening Tampa Bay’s creative and economic vitality by attracting audiences, tourism and related business activity. For tickets and information: FloridaOrchestra.org.
To donate now:FloridaOrchestra.org/donate The Florida Orchestra is a non-profit 501(c)3 EIN: 59-1223691 CH#1830. About Suncoast Credit Union
Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida, the 8th largest in the United States based on membership, and the 10th largest in the United States based on its $20.7 billion in assets. Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union currently operates 79 full-service branches and serves more than 1.3 million members across Florida. As a community credit union, anyone who lives, works, attends school or worships in Suncoast Credit Union’s service area is eligible for membership. In 2021, Suncoast Credit Union’s field of membership was expanded to include public K-12 teachers, college educators, and educational support staff from all of Florida’s 67 counties. Suncoast is passionate about community support. Since its founding in 1990, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation has raised and donated more than $61 million to organizations and initiatives that support the health, education, and emotional well-being of children in the communities that the credit union serves. For more information, visit suncoast.com or follow us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. |
