Transcript for Hustle & Heat Episode 20
00:00:04
What’s up, guys? And welcome back to another episode of Hustle and Heat Podcast. My name is George, your host, and welcome to episode 20.
For this episode, we’re welcoming a group from Leadership North Port. Without further ado, I’d like each of you to introduce yourselves and share what you do.
My name is Sean Burroughs. I’m a Compass Health Consultant and a health insurance broker in the area.
My name is Michael Alegria. I’m the president and founder of the Youth Musical Arts Academy of North Port.
My name is Emerson Schoonover. I’m the branch development manager for Achieva Credit Union in North Port.
My name is Missy Tanguay, and I just did a podcast like two weeks ago, so you’ll have to watch that one.
Hi, my name is Sue Schultz. I’m the membership director at Coral Creek Club and the program chair for Leadership North Port through the Chamber of Commerce.
My name is Brenda VanSalisbury. I own three local businesses here in North Port.
All right. Well, welcome, guys. I appreciate you coming on. This is a little unusual, but it is what it is. So tell me—what exactly is Leadership North Port?
Leadership North Port is a program brought in by Chamber members from Charlotte County who were also part of the North Port Chamber. It’s a nine-week program that takes participants behind the scenes of the community. They visit government offices, educational facilities, and local programs, and they complete a community project to benefit North Port.
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00:01:27
So what’s your community project this year?
This year our project is a pickleball tournament on May 2nd. We’ll be raising funds for the Youth Musical Arts Academy of North Port to help children expand their musical abilities and opportunities.
One of the goals is to establish an Orff ensemble for elementary students. Instruments can cost up to $750 each, so for 20 children that’s already $15,000. Storage space is another challenge, since many instruments are currently being kept in a garage.
Tell us how people can register.
You can search “Serve Up the Sound” on Facebook. Registration is $35 per player. We’ll also have sponsor tables, vendors, a DJ, and Michelle Moore—DJ Peaches—MC’ing the event. It’s going to be a great time for the community.
All proceeds benefit the Youth Musical Arts Academy of North Port.
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00:04:12
Tell us more about the Youth Musical Arts Academy.
Our organization is similar to youth sports programs like the North Port Junior Bobcats, but for music. Our goal is to fill the gaps in elementary music education.
When I taught at Atwater Elementary, students only received about 20–25 hours of music instruction per year. We’re working to expand those opportunities through summer camps and after-school programs so students can explore music as a passion and build a sense of belonging.
We have an upcoming summer band camp for incoming fourth through sixth graders where they can try flute, trumpet, trombone, or clarinet before entering middle school band programs.
We’re also developing an Orff ensemble after-school program that allows students from multiple schools—including homeschool students—to participate together. We offer scholarships for private lessons and instrument donations for students using low-quality beginner instruments.
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00:08:26
How many students are currently involved?
We currently have about 20 students signed up for summer camp and hope to reach 80. The cost is $125 for two weeks, which gives families an affordable way to explore music.
Our after-school programs are still being built, but previous choir programs had 20 to 30 participants.
Typically, after-school sessions run once a week for two hours from October through April.
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00:10:20
How long has the organization existed?
We’ve been operating for two years and achieved 501(c)(3) status within 34 days, which is a big accomplishment. We’ve also received grants from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
Our biggest need right now is volunteers for our board and support from the community to help expand resources and hire qualified instructors.
Our five-year goal includes running multiple summer programs—band camp, strings camp, percussion camp, and an honors choir—along with a middle school percussion ensemble feeding into North Port High School.
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00:12:34
How can the community help support your mission?
Recognition and awareness are huge for us right now. We’re looking for people passionate about helping children succeed—even if music isn’t their background—to serve on our board and leadership team.
Music teaches patience, perseverance, discipline, and responsibility. These are life skills that help students become strong contributors to society.
Being early is being on time. Being on time is being late. Being late is unacceptable. Those are lessons that stick with kids far beyond music.
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00:13:51
Music creates structure and discipline. It builds pride and leadership skills. It teaches students how to work together toward something bigger than themselves.
There’s something powerful about performing music that connects emotionally with others. It creates confidence, ownership, and passion.
For a community to thrive, those disciplines need to start with children.
Leadership North Port helps participants see what’s happening behind the scenes and gives them opportunities to make a real impact locally.
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00:19:25
Each class visits nonprofits across the community to understand local needs. That’s how this partnership with the Youth Musical Arts Academy began.
Achieva Credit Union stepped in as the title sponsor for the pickleball tournament, which made launching the event possible.
Achieva began in 1937 when seven teachers pooled $99.25 after one of them was denied a loan. Over time, it became Pinellas County Teachers Credit Union and eventually grew into Achieva Credit Union.
Credit unions operate differently than banks—they’re not-for-profit institutions owned by their members. Instead of serving shareholders, they serve the people who bank with them.
Achieva’s motto is “banking for good,” and supporting community programs like Leadership North Port reflects that mission.
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00:25:01
Beyond the pickleball tournament, what else can people do to help?
We rely heavily on social media and our website, but what we really need is boots-on-the-ground support—board members, volunteers, marketing assistance, and community advocates.
Building a nonprofit takes passion, but it also takes a team with diverse skills like fundraising, grant writing, volunteer coordination, and program development.
Right now, we have three board members and would love to expand to seven or nine.
Ideal board members are people passionate about inspiring and transforming North Port through music education.
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00:29:53
The mission of North Port is “work here, live here, play here.” This organization extends that vision to the next generation.
The pickleball tournament takes place May 2nd at Highland Ridge Park in North Port. Donations will be accepted on site, and Dubz Barbecue will be supporting the event with food proceeds benefiting the academy.
Please come out, support the event, and help make a lasting impact for local students.
If anyone is interested in joining Leadership North Port, the next class will be the 10-year anniversary class. Contact the Chamber of Commerce to apply.
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Thanks for having us.
Thank you for coming on. Be on the lookout for a fundraiser night at Dubz Barbecue for this great cause.
If you like this video, please like, comment, and subscribe. We’ll see you next time.
