Gateway Music Outreach

🎶 Celebrating 30 Years of Music Education! 🎶

Last spring, Angel P. Mckay, Executive Director of Gateway Music Outreach, honored Music Director James McKay Jr.Des Lee Fine Arts Education Collaborative in celebration of an incredible milestone—30 years as a K–12 music educator! 🎉

For three decades, James has dedicated his career to educating, mentoring, inspiring, and creating opportunities for young musicians.

Thank you, James, for 30 years of dedicated leadership, outstanding service, and lifelong impact on students, colleagues, and the community through the power of music education. 🎻❤️

Here’s to 30 years of changing lives—one student, one classroom, and one note at a time.

🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of Opening Doors Through Music 🎻

As Gateway Music Outreach enters its 10th Anniversary milestone season, we’re taking time to reflect on an incredible journey that began with one simple belief:

Every young person deserves the opportunity to experience the life-changing power of music.

Over the past decade, we’ve watched students grow into confident musicians, courageous leaders, and compassionate young adults. We’ve celebrated first performances, college acceptances, scholarships, and countless moments that remind us why this work matters.

None of this would have been possible without an amazing community.

To every student, parent, instructor, volunteer, donor, partner, and supporter—thank you. Your belief in our mission has helped open doors that continue to change lives.

While we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together, we’re even more excited about what’s ahead.

This anniversary isn’t just a celebration of the past.

It’s the beginning of our next chapter.

Here’s to 10 Years of Opening Doors Through Music—and to the thousands of young people whose stories are still waiting to be written.

Thank you for being part of the journey. ❤️



Des Lee Fine Arts Education Collaborative

This was a lot of fun. We appreciate Kathy for amplifying the work that we are doing. 🎶

Coming up at 1pm on Arts à la Carte ~ Gateway Music Outreach (GMO) Vice President and Music Director James McKay talks about GMO in St. Louis. He and his wife, Angel, both performing musicians and extraordinary educators, co-founded this 501(c)(3) to reach out and impact the lives of countless youth in our community. Learn all about this exciting organization celebrating a 10-year anniversary from James himself!

Tune in at 107.3FM or 96.3HD2, stream online at classic1073.org, on audacy.com, via TuneIn, or wherever else you find your radio content. Des Lee Fine Arts Education Collaborative

🎹✨ Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, growth, and celebration as the Gateway Music Outreach Piano Division presents its 3rd Annual Piano Recital!

Our students have worked diligently all year, and we are excited to showcase their talent, confidence, and musical artistry on the beautiful Steinway stage.

📅 May 30th
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Steinway Piano Gallery
12033 Dorsett Road
Maryland Heights, MO 63043

Come support these incredible young musicians as we continue “Opening doors of opportunity for personal, social, and scholastic advancement of youth through music.” 🎶❤️

Today is Give STL Day 2026.

Gateway Music Outreach is expanding our Instrument & Access Fund to ensure that no student misses the opportunity to learn, perform, and grow through music because of financial barriers.

Your support helps provide:
• Instrument repairs and maintenance
• Private instruction
• Sheet music and method books
• Quality violins and cellos
• Full-year student sponsorships

Every gift directly removes barriers and expands access to high-level music education.

Support Gateway Music Outreach today:
https://www.givestlday.org/organization/gatewaymusicoutreach

Opening doors of opportunity for personal, social, and scholastic advancement of youth through music.

Give STL (Early Giving Has Begun)

Right now, you have the chance to help a student gain confidence, discipline, and opportunity through music.

Every dollar matters.
Every share matters.
Every supporter matters.

If Gateway Music Outreach has ever inspired you, impacted you, or made you proud—this is the moment to show it.

Donate now: https://www.givestlday.org/organization/gatewaymusicoutreach

Let’s finish strong.

SUPERIOR ratings. 🎯

Shoutout to two of our middle school bass players who showed up and delivered at this year’s Solo & Ensemble Festival!

Hard work paying off in real time—we love to see it.