Each year, Project 440's Youth Advocacy Council recognizes the exceptional work of a Philadelphia-based music educator through their In Tune award. Recipients are chosen based on their devotion to students, innovation in teaching, and presence with students.

The 2021 awardee of the Youth Advocacy Council In Tune Award is Ashley Vines!

Vines began her musical studies as a student in the School District of Philadelphia and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance as a viola student of Renard Edwards. She was a recipient of the 2016-2017 IRIS Artist Fellowship, through which she performed in a chamber ensemble with a focus on community outreach and taught as a community engagement fellow through the Memphis Music Initiative.

YAC students share that Vines was chosen for her “dedication to music education, passion for helping students, and immense influence on many young musicians in the Philadelphia area.” The students said they believe leaders like Vines are “essential to [the flourishment] of classical music and education in Philadelphia.” Vines joined YAC for one of this year’s Music in Color series focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of classical music.

Currently, Ashley works as an instrumental music teacher in the School District of Philadelphia, a violin and viola teaching artist with Musicopia and the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra's Tune Up Philly program, and Director of String Orchestras for Temple University’s Community Music Scholars Program.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the amazing and inspiring students of the YAC,” Vines shared. “I deeply respect the work that these students are doing and I look forward to seeing all that they will accomplish in the future.”

YAC and the Project 440 team are so grateful for Vines’s work and impact on Philadelphia students. Please join us in congratulating her as the third winner of the annual In Tune Award!