There’s a particular kind of magic that happens when people gather around sound.
When harmonies echo through a city park.
When a child picks up an instrument for the first time.
When an elder hears a familiar tune and joins in, note for note.
At The Rhapsody Project, these aren’t rare moments. They’re our rhythm. Our everyday.
We believe that music is not entertainment—it’s connection. And this summer, we invite you to witness that connection in action.
What We Mean by “American Music”
Ask five people what American music is, and you might get five different answers. At Rhapsody, we define it not by genre, but by origin—a living archive shaped by Black and Indigenous traditions, influenced by waves of migration, and carried forward through oral storytelling, improvisation, resistance, and shared joy.
When you hear our youth perform, when you see an intergenerational jam session unfold, you’re witnessing that archive come alive.
Living in America for any amount of time means that you inherit a piece of (and likely contribute to) our shared musical heritage. Getting to know American music and its history is getting to know a part of your heritage and history.
Why We Gather
We gather not just to teach music, but to restore connection—to each other, to our heritage, to the land we’re on.
Whether it’s Blues Camp on the Olympic Peninsula (scholarships still available for this year!), a sidewalk jam session in Seattle, or beginner ukulele lessons at a local library, our programs are designed to bring people together—across generations, across cultures, and across life experience.
We offer free and low-cost access to instruments, music education, and cultural learning.
Because at Rhapsody, we believe music—and the community it creates—is an essential right for everyone.
This Season: Music in Motion
From now through the fall, we’re activating spaces across the Puget Sound region with free and low-cost concerts, classes, and camps.
These are more than just performances. They’re opportunities to listen, connect, and rediscover what it means to be part of a community.
📍 King Street Station (Seattle)
Our central hub—home to many of our summer events.
June 28: Road to One Seattle Soul, Part 2
- Free Concert featuring local blues powerhouse Lady A, along with student ensembles.
- 3 – 6 PM | Open to all | RSVP appreciated but not required
July 14–18: Youth Music Summer Camp
- A week of hands-on learning and cultural exploration
- Instruments provided | No experience necessary | Ages 10 – 25
- Registration is open through the start of camp
July 20-August 24: Guitar Hangs: Summer Sessions
- Jam Session meets music lesson. Guitarists, bassists, and baritone ukulele players of all skill levels.
- Free for ages 10-25. Pay-what-you-can for ages 26+.
- Youth Only Sessions (Ages 10-25)
- Sun Jul 20, Mon Aug 11, Sun Aug 17 | 2-4 pm
- All-Ages Welcome Sessions (10+)
- Sun Jul 27, Sun Aug 24 | 2-4 pm
September 20: Road to One Seattle Soul, Part 3
- Free concert featuring John Oliver The Third, soulful producer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist
- 5 – 6:30 PM | Open to all | Raise support and funds for our homeless neighbors
🎤 Sunday Sessions: July 13 & August 10
Intergenerational collaboration in three parts: writing circle, open mic, and jam session.
Free | 4 – 7 pm | Black & Tan Hall | Second Sundays through December
🎻 Klezmer Jam at The Couth Buzzard: July 14
A twice-monthly night of musical Yiddishkayt!
All levels jam for instruments, singers, and dancers | Suggested donation: $20 | 7-9 pm
🌊 Waterfront Sunset Show: August 21
A community concert featuring Rhapsody Songsters, Totem Star, and Red Eagle Soaring.
Golden hour music under open skies | 6 – 8 pm | At Waterfront Park | Family-friendly
🎻 Klezmer Jam at Judkins Park: July 28
A twice-monthly night of musical Yiddishkayt with a focus on Yiddish and International Protest Music.
All levels jam for instruments, singers, and dancers | Suggested donation: $20 | 6-8 pm
🌲 Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Camp: July 27 – August 3
Or as we call it, “Blues Camp.” An immersive week of intergenerational learning, culture, and collaboration on the Olympic Peninsula.
Scholarships available | Contact: info@therhapsodyproject.org
📚 Free Guitar & Ukulele Workshops: August 6 – 27
Free beginner ukulele and guitar lessons for teens at the Fairwood Library in Renton!
Wednesdays | Ages 13-17 | Instruments included | Free | Register Online
What You’ll Hear
You might hear young people jamming and improvising on ukulele.
A teenager processing grief through original lyrics.
An elder sharing a lullaby from their own childhood with someone they just met.
And somewhere in that blend of sound and silence, you may hear something that feels like home.
Want to Support?
All of this is made possible by donors, partners, and community members like you. If you’re someone who believes in access, equity, and the preservation of cultural memory, we’d love your support. Donate today.
Join the circle. The rhythm is already playing.
