This week on The Local Take, we’re talking about music education which can sometimes be hard to find in our public schools. A music industry exeucitve Ric Ross wanted to ensure that young people in our community had access to Music Education and created a non-profit Music Education Group which provides STEAM programming through after-school programming in the City of Atlanta and the City of Fairburn. Ross, a native of Atlanta, began his 37-year music industry career with Warner/Elektra here. His non-profit Music Education Group (MEG) began working with young people in our community in 2018.
I asked Ross how he came to have such a successful career in the music industry. He speaks about always wanting to be in the entertainment industry. He learned to play instruments, and after high school, he attended The Music Business Institute with the thought of being a recording engineer. He started his career in promotions and distribution, working in a warehouse. This background provided him with a unique view of the business.
As his career progressed, he began to educate young artists about the financials and spoke with them about the creative processes and other opportunities off the stage. He said with them about publishing rights and the economics of their business.
He began thinking about what it would be like if young artists and creatives went into the industry with this information, and the concept for his non-profit, the Music Education Group (MEG), began. The program is part of the offering at Dunbar. Neighborhood Center. They provide music lessons along with education about how an artist can create an income with their work.
In addition to music, they also use the screen printing process for visual artists to produce work for sale. The MEG program provides after-school programs in the City of Fairburn as well.
For more information on the Music Education Group
For more information on Ric Ross
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