Community resources
Our mission
The mission of Hopewell Music Cooperative North is to empower underserved youth and adult students in North Minneapolis through high quality and affordable music education that is accessible to all regardless of age, background, ability, or financial circumstance.
Hopewell History
Hopewell began in 2012 when two Northside music teachers shared a frustration over the diminishing access to music education. In turn, these teachers opened up the only comprehensive music school in North Minneapolis. The Ensemble Program was subsequently developed in 2013 to accommodate our students’ desire for ensemble playing as there were no community ensembles in North Minneapolis. At the end of 2012, 50 students were enrolled in the Lesson Program, and in our first year of ensembles 6 members participated. By 2019, Hopewell engaged over 700 students and community members through 160 weekly private lessons, six multigenerational ensembles, in-school music programming, and more than 20 public performances. In 2021, Hopewell is continuing to provide equitable music education in the era of COVID through online lessons, classes, and ensembles.
Check out our annual report to learn more about our impact in 2019!

AnnualReport2019.pdf | |
File Size: | 15476 kb |
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Why Music?
What Hopewell does is about more than just music, it is about equal opportunities and access to music education. Music education is scientifically proven to increase academic performance in children and enhance productivity and mental acuity in adults. Music has the added benefits of instilling values such as discipline, resilience, cooperation, and good communication while providing both youth and adult students with a creative outlet. Playing in a group provides further benefits of helping students find camaraderie among like-minded peers.
Programs and Initiatives
Due to long-standing issues of inequity, North Minneapolis residents have not had the same opportunities in music as those living in more affluent areas. Our goal in empowering Northsiders of all backgrounds to express themselves creatively by removing barriers to music lessons, classes, and local events.
Hopewell provides a safe and affordable option for music education on the Northside. We offer sliding scale tuition for folks on federal or state assistance, removing financial barriers to lessons, classes, workshops, and camps. In addition, we offer six ensembles that are free and open to anyone in the Northside community, so North Minneapolis musicians can come to make music with one another.
Hopewell provides a safe and affordable option for music education on the Northside. We offer sliding scale tuition for folks on federal or state assistance, removing financial barriers to lessons, classes, workshops, and camps. In addition, we offer six ensembles that are free and open to anyone in the Northside community, so North Minneapolis musicians can come to make music with one another.
Hopewell Matters
Jonathan Cowgill conducted a research project in Fall 2015 to study the benefits of the Hopewell Music Cooperative. His results show that our students develop valuable life skills while strengthening their community.