Our Mission
Music Beyond is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to harnessing the transformative power of music to unite people, empower communities, drive positive social action, and cultivate peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Why We Exist
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the world’s most resource-rich countries—yet millions of its people live in extreme poverty, with limited access to education, opportunity, or stability.
In eastern Congo, more than 30 years of conflict have disrupted social systems, fractured trust, and stripped generations of young people of the chance to imagine a future beyond survival.
Sustainable peace requires more than emergency aid. It requires restoring dignity, agency, and the confidence to lead.
Why Music is a Development Tool
In fragile and conflict-affected settings, music is not a luxury—it is a powerful, culturally rooted tool for recovery and resilience.
Music builds trust where institutions have failed.
It creates safe spaces for expression, identity, and leadership.
It reconnects individuals to their communities—and communities to one another.
Most importantly, music helps young people reclaim the courage to imagine, to speak, and to lead.
This is where long-term change begins.
How We Create Change
Music Beyond works through locally led, artist-centered development, supporting young Congolese musicians as catalysts for community transformation.
Our work focuses on four interconnected pillars:
Holistic Artist Development
We mentor and train artists not only as musicians, but as leaders—providing creative training, leadership workshops, and professional development.
Education & Capacity Building
We train elementary school teachers in music education where no national curriculum exists, expanding access to creative learning for thousands of children.
Community Outreach & Healing
Our artists lead music programs in orphanages, refugee camps, and underserved communities—creating spaces for healing, joy, and connection.
Economic Empowerment & Visibility
Through album production, performances, scholarships, and platforms like PlayMB, we help artists earn income, gain visibility, and sustain their work.
Together, these efforts address root causes—not just symptoms—by restoring belief, agency, and leadership from within communities.
The Heart of Our Work
“My dream, my dream, my dream is to have peace.”
— Answer Kaviti, singing with children in a refugee camp
At Music Beyond, we hold onto that dream.
And through music, we make it a reality.