Beyond The Natural Foundation, Inc.

BEYOND THE NATURAL FOUNDATION, INC (BTNF) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization created to empower the lives of youth through music. The founding Executive Director Robert Levine III, who is an experienced Mathematician, Musician, Songwriter, and Producer created this organization to give back a summation of his life experiences and make a positive contribution in the lives of youth. Through his passion for arts advocacy, BTNF was created with a mission to serve and performance to provide expressive therapy and youth by engaging them in music education inspiration for creating greater life opportunities.

BTNF’s Arts Enrichment goals are for youth to improve Musicianship, Academic and Cognitive Development, and interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematic career paths. BTNF’s Music Therapy goals are for youth to improve Behavior and Emotional Well-being, Communication and Social Skills, and Motor Development. Research shows that kids who are actively involved in playing or singing music do better in reading, learn coordination, goal setting, concentration, and cooperation. These youth are more likely to do better in math and science because music helps build reasoning skills and cognitive development, which are important to both. Studies also show that these youth get along better with their peers, have higher self-esteem, and are more likely to go to college. BTNF is passionate about providing youth the opportunity to explore new ideas, build new skills, find new talents, and experience success.

BTNF travels onsite to after-school programs, recreation centers and summer camps, psychiatric rehabilitation programs, foster care and group homes, and many other organizations that provide support for our youth to provide music therapy services and adapted music lessons on the drums, the piano, the guitar, as well as songwriting and production. As an organization, we take pride in bridging the gap between music and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education. In the traditional learning environment, our youth often become discouraged from pursuing a deeper understanding in these academic areas because they don't often see how they apply to so many different aspects of their lives. In the Music For F.U.N. program, youth learn the fundamentals of playing different instruments and the physical properties behind these instruments. We provide instruction on songwriting and production to teach the mechanics of interfacing with technology to record and engineer the creation of a song. As a result, our youth become aware of different career paths in the music industry and learn how S.T.E.M. education builds the career of the Musician, Songwriter, Producer, and Audio Engineer.

BTNF has proven strategies that create a dynamic experience in our focus area. For starters, BTNF sessions are based on a small group framework with 1:10 staff-to-student ratios to ensure support for all youth. In our sessions, great attention is given to Session flow, Active Engagement, and Skill-building. We ensure that there are sufficient materials for all youth and there is appropriate time allowed for all program activities. Our staff structure opportunities for youth to engage with materials, talk about activities, and make connections with prior experiences. To help youth build skills, there is always a learning focus linked to an activity. Sessions often begin with staff modeling the skills to be covered. Then staff break down task into smaller, simpler steps and encourage all youth to try skills or attempt higher levels of performance. Youth development is nurtured by maintaining an environment of Encouragement, Belonging, and Quality Interaction with Adults. BTNF staff uses non-evaluative language to support the accomplishments or contributions of youth by acknowledging the skills being utilized. BTNF staff remain actively involved in showing behavior that inspire youth hope and perseverance. Our programs foster an environment of inclusion by structuring opportunities for youth to get to know each other. BTNF staff are intentional about ensuring that youth do not show exclusive behavior so our entire community experiences success.

Our organizational capabilities for accomplishing this begins with our staff. The BTNF team has over 100 years of professional music industry experience combined. 75% of our staff are proficient multi-instrumentalists and 85% of our staff has at least 2 years professional teaching experience. 60% of our staff have professional recording experience and are proficient at teaching music technology using digital audio workstation software Logic Pro X. Our team also includes 2 Board Certified Music Therapists to head up our music therapy efforts. BTNF’s staff is full of competent youth practitioners that are passionate about BTNF’s vision of empowering our youth through music.

With YOUR HELP, we can CONTINUE this great work of EMPOWERING the lives of OUR YOUTH THROUGH MUSIC.