About

For 30 years ACO's educational programs have positioned music composition as a gateway to creative thinking, problem solving, and self-expression. Our long-term Sonic Spark residencies nurture the imagination through creative rituals and play, cultivating personal, social, and academic growth. Sonic Spark serves students at every stage of creative development, including those who have never played an instrument before, are learning to write music for the first time, or are on track to develop high level careers as performers and composers.

ACO offers 3 Sonic Spark programs:

SONIC SPARK LAB

SONIC SPARK ENSEMBLES

COMPOSE YOURSELF

Each is designed to magnify the social and academic goals of your school or organization.

SONIC SPARK by the Numbers

30+ years of experience in NYC public schools
Serves grades 4-12
All programs available in-school or after-school
Programming for special needs students, classes, and schools, including District 75
All programs embody all strands of the Blueprint for Arts Learning & NYS Arts Standards

Our Focus on Creativity

Creativity is more than just making art; it is shown to advance academic growth, support personal transformation, and is ranked among the most in-demand skills for job preparedness.

Sonic Spark Lab uses music performance, improvisation, and composition
as a vehicle for developing creative thinking and complex problem-solving
Students develop tools for approaching academic and professional
life with a flexible, adaptable, creative mindset
Self-esteem and confidence are nurtured through creative collaboration, rooted
in a recognition of each student’s unique talents, mindfulness, personal
agency/empowerment, and collective decision-making