Bringing hope and healing through music.
A 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Cleveland, Ohio, Renovare Music is a dynamic chamber ensemble that bridges divided communities and creates restorative experiences through music, storytelling, and relationships.
Program Areas
Renovare currently pursues its vision of bringing hope and healing through music in three ways:
Renovare has performed and led worship 250 times since its inception in 2018. While some of these performances have happened as far away as California and Austria, Renovare maintains a focus on their local Northeast Ohio community. Renovare has a heart for people in marginalized spaces (ex. prisons, homeless shelters, hospitals, disinvested neighborhoods), which is where 75% of their performances occur. The remainder of their performances occur in venues ranging from the Maltz Performing Arts Center to community gardens, with an emphasis on connecting communities that are siloed from one another. The same high quality performances are offered in every setting, creating shared experiences for people from all walks of life. Renovare’s fresh, creative performances span multiple artistic genres and invite audiences everywhere into meaningful connection through interactive musical experiences.
Renovare’s trained Teaching Artists use Documentary Songwriting to support and empower individuals whose voices often go unheard. This highly collaborative approach to songwriting demystifies creativity and allows someone with no musical background to express themselves through high-quality songs. (To learn more about documentary songwriting, visit www.docsong.org ) The original Documentary Songs (DocSongs) that result from this unique process are included in some of Renovare’s concerts, in an effort to increase understanding and inspire action in the broader community.
Renovare leads weekly classes at two prisons, offering men and women behind bars the opportunity to learn to play violin, viola, or cello in a supportive group setting. Renovare’s “Unmuted” class at the Grafton Correctional Institution began in 2018, and provides an opportunity for undergraduate students at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music an opportunity to serve as assistant teachers. Renovare’s “Music for the Soul” class at the Northeast Reintegration Center began in March 2022. Both groups give public performances twice each year, allowing family, friends, and community members an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of these musicians.
Renovare does this work because we believe there is a God who is restoring every part of this world. We want to use our unique artistic gifts in that process as we love our neighbor, affirm the value of all people, and cultivate reconciled communities.
Our Core Values
Creativity
We celebrate the rich history of classical music while incorporating innovative ideas to meet needs in our community and world.
Respect
We honor all those we work with – constituents, volunteers, donors, community partners, and colleagues – as we humbly learn from them and grow together.
Generosity
We eagerly bring all of ourselves to this work, trusting that God will multiply what we offer and provide all that is needed to do the work of Christ’s Kingdom.
2024 in Review
We grew! After more than a year of searching for a new Violist, we found the perfect one, Clara Prinston. We also hired Julie Davis, our first-ever Managing Director. We are now a full-time team of four!
We taught 99 prison classes with 40 participants
“Lalia has shown me many things to improve my playing such as bowing, reading music, and theory. I practice 1.5 hours a day, six days a week and love playing with the ‘Unmuted’ group. It makes life so much easier when you know someone who cares.”
—Tony, Resident at Grafton Correctional (incarcerated for 34 years)
82 Concerts and Events for over 4,800 attendees
“I felt touched in ways that I was not expecting. To know that men and women in prison have the same opportunity to experience such a moving (and high-quality) performance made me appreciate God's gift of music and his desire to be present with us in music.”
— Audience member
We co-wrote 9 Documentary Songs
“During the songwriting process, I felt nervous. I met with these smiling faces who made me feel like I truly mattered. I thought, ‘Why me? Why did I volunteer?’ Then I realized ‘Why not me?!’
— Jackie Dixon, 2024 DocSong participant
Thank you to everyone in our Renovare community who helped make all of this possible!
Visit our News Page to read more stories about Renovare’s work!
Community Partners
We are grateful for the organizations that partner with Renovare Music to make our work possible. Our current partners include:
St. Vincent Charity Medical Center
Documentary Songwriters
Supporters
In addition to individual givers, Renovare is grateful to the following foundations and organizations that support our work in various ways.
Renovare Music is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
Join Us
Renovare’s work is made possible thanks to many people who are eager to help bring hope and healing through music. Click below to learn how you can join our growing team of supporters!
