About Us
Our Story
Despite many studies proving music education is beneficial for students' overall health, classes in both public and private schools have been cut or eliminated altogether.
Founded in 2020, Music Lessons for All is a non profit organization sponsoring students in Rochester, Minnesota for private music instruction who normally would not have access; providing lessons, books, and an instrument. Students are selected based on their passion to learn music as well as financial need.
So far, 39 scholarships have been awarded to youth in SE Minnesota.
Music Lessons for All received funds from the Carl and Verna Foundation in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026; The Mayo Foundation in 2022; and The Southeast Minnesota Arts Council in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Meet the team!
Vivian Lark
Founderhas taught music to students with autism for over 8 years. About 20% of Vivian's students are on the spectrum, including non- and limited- verbal, and she has heard many times over the years from caregivers that they are seeking more sensory friendly activities for their children.
She has the ability to sense student needs while navigating lessons to create an educational and sensory experience that provides growth and joy for her students that parents struggle to find with other providers.
Board MemberMichele Ensign
experiences first hand the complicated joys the life mothering a non-verbal child brings. She’s not sure where she’d be without him in her life and the way he inspired her to be the founder of Autism Resource Guide and continue advocating with him for families like theirs.
Very active in the autistic and greater special needs community, Michele has organized many events to connect, educate, and advocate for families and service providers in our area. She led education conferences in 2022 and 2024; and coordinated Family Fun Day, later called Autfest, in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The first Family Fun Day had over 1,000 attendants. The next, over 450, all free and accessible for the entire community.
Board MemberVirginia Cooper
is a retired RN with 25 years experience in elder and pediatric care.
She is passionate about music and the arts, and currently owns The Crossings Clay Studio in Zumbrota, MN where she has classes for people of all ages.
Board MemberJulie Johns
is an artist and arts advocate who founded Rochester's Med City Arts Festival.
She has been past president of Gallery 24 artist collaborative in Rochester and also past Vice President and Marketing Director for SEMVA artist coop in Rochester.
She has taught various art classes at 125Live and Forte Living in Rochester.
Board MemberRuth Shiferaw
is a CNA at Mayo Clinic and, for over 20 years, the owner of Entro Salon.
She enjoys incorporating health and self-confidence, and has recently started her own non-profit, Entro to Wellness.
She is a Mom with an 18-year-old non-verbal autistic son.
Board MemberWanda Zodrow
is passionate about her community and has over 40 years of youth mentoring through the YMCA, Next Chapter and Bolder Options.
She has also been a volunteer for Paws and Claws for 43 years.
Collaboration & Partnerships
The sum of the parts is always greater than the parts when they are all on their own.
We are proud to have worked with several community organizations to make a difference in our community.
Interested in working together with us?
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Local non-profit that seeks to provide education, connection, and advocacy for families and caregivers navigating the special needs life.
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