Banding Together was founded in 2009 by a parent of a child with autism and two music therapists. As of January 2021, $117,303 has been awarded for individual music therapy, adapted lessons and camp scholarships to 224 individuals (ages 2-22 years) with special needs. Approximately 95% of scholarships have benefited individuals under the age of 18. Since the Jam Session program’s inception in 2012, San Diego locations have quadrupled. The program was piloted at a fifth national location in Miami, Florida in 2017. Serving teens and young adults with special needs, this free program has doubled our San Diego reach in the last two years because of grant funding and generous donors. Each year, 56 Jam Sessions are held totaling nearly 340 sessions to date. In response to the COVID pandemic in March 2020, we immediately pivoted by keeping the Jam Session program running virtually in addition to launching two new online programs for young children (Songbirds) and tweens (Rock Star Club). Historically, Jam Sessions have served over 1,100 individuals ages 13-35 with special needs with 50% of these individuals aged 18 or under. Over 700 volunteer mentors have been trained to serve as leaders within the community and 200 guest musicians.

The SoundCheck Jam program is another core program of Banding Together. Eight of these events have been hosted in partnership with Surfdog Records, serving approximately 24 touring musicians and 50 individuals with special needs. This unique program gives individuals with special needs the opportunity to shine onstage during a nationally touring band’s sound check at a local music venue. Past musicians have included Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks, The English Beat, Elvin Bishop, Michael Franti, Shaun White (Olympic gold medalist and guitarist) and Grammy award winner Ziggy Marley.