$5,000 donated and counting!
As a benefit festival, giving back is woven into everything we do.
Each year, we select a nonprofit beneficiary whose work strengthens our region, ensuring that the spirit of generosity and connection sparked by free music continues to make a real, lasting impact beyond festival day.
$5000 donated
$5000 donated
2026 BENEFICIARY: Tahoe Truckee School of Music
For 15 years, Tahoe Truckee School of Music (TTSM) has worked to fulfil their mission to ‘cultivate life skills and community through music for all ages, regardless of experience, ability, or financial resources’ in the Tahoe-Truckee area. They offer lessons for youth and adults including Music Foundations, Rock Band and Song Group and resources such as Instrument Loan, Recording Studio, and a Community Performance Booking Service.
Donations from the Tahoe Joy Festival specifically help TTSM’s free instrument loan program, scholarships for lessons, student performances, and a new venture with Tahoe Truckee Unified School District that brings music learning to 2,000 Tahoe-Truckee students.
In addition, each year, aspiring TTSM musicians of all ages perform at the Tahoe Joy Festival Community Stage. TTSM Executive Director and founder Ben Martin expressed that having TTSM students, both young and adult, performing the Community Stage provides them with the opportunity to highlight their talents to the broader community, outside of the school setting, and in front of a significant audience. He mentioned that this opportunity allows the community to hear young performers and professionals they might not usually encounter, inspiring both children and adults to pursue music learning.
What People Are Saying
“Performing at the Tahoe Joy Festival is an opportunity to share my love of music with my community in front of one of the most beautiful backdrops anywhere.”
— Coco Lowe, TTSM student and Tahoe Joy Festival Community Stage Performer
“Ultimately, it’s about values: spreading joy and sharing music.”
— Ben Martin, Executive Director of Tahoe Truckee School of Music“Tahoe Joy Festival gave my child a chance to shine. Seeing them welcomed and celebrated by the community was something we’ll never forget.”
— Parent of student at Tahoe Truckee School of Music and performer at Tahoe Joy Festival Community Stage
“We really want to emphasize that this is a benefit music festival, aiming not only to support regional musicians and artists but to also raise money for amazing community nonprofits like the Tahoe Truckee School of Music.”
— Matt Axton, founder Tahoe Joy Festival