Victoria's Dream Project

A program of the RI Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School, inspired by Victoria Alviti

Victoria’s Dream Project (VDP) is a free afterschool strings program for students in grades 3-5. This program has been designed by a diverse group of stakeholders who are committed to closing the arts opportunity gap by providing high-quality music instruction. 

Victoria’s Dream Project was created because we believe that every child, regardless of circumstance, should have access to high-quality instrumental music education and the active support of an entire community who believes in their potential for music making and success. Currently, Agnes Little Elementary and Henry J. Winters Elementary Schools in Pawtucket, RI are the locations for the project. Pawtucket public schools have been proven, dedicated partners of the RI Philharmonic, including foundational participants in our Link Up program.


Proximity to and enrollment within the RI Philharmonic Music School will help to ensure success. Every year, new scholarships are available for students to receive private lessons completely free of charge. Additionally, any student who successfully auditions for our Youth Orchestra programs (a major goal of VDP), can participate for free. These supports continue all the way through the end of the students' senior years of High School. 

What is Victoria’s Dream Project?

  • VDP is a comprehensive afterschool string program in Pawtucket, R.I. designed by a diverse group of stakeholders who are committed to closing the arts opportunity gap by providing high-quality music instruction. 
  • Students are provided with weekly semi-private lessons and group classes.
  • Beginner classes for 3rd grade
  • Option for Alumni mentorship for older students
  • Free violins and violas supplied at no cost to the students, families, or the school; supported by donations from community partners and subsidized by RIPOMS.
  • Free participation in Pawtucket’s Childhood Opportunity Zone (COZ).
  • This provides children with 4 days of safe afterschool care
  • Children are given a small meal each day
  • Children receive over 340 combined hours of music education and academic support each year. 
  • RIPOMS provides full scholarships to participate in Youth Orchestra programming and private lessons. 
  • Over 150 children have participated.
  • Strategic goals include: 
  • Providing opportunities to communities that have been historically excluded from and marginalized in classical music
  • Expanding supplemental music education through quality instruction and performance opportunities
  • Ensuring students have the support of an entire musical community
  • Developing a comprehensive instrumental feeder program for our Youth Orchestras
  • Promoting community actualization in our Music School through intentional diversification of the student body

Initial Successes

  • 100% of all students who have auditioned for Youth Orchestra programming have been accepted
  • After two years of VDP, the Beginning String Ensemble (Youth Orchestra) went from 20% BIPOC membership to 40%. The membership has now increased to over 70%. 
  • Over 50% of participating students have been offered a full scholarship to study privately at the Music School

About Victoria Alviti

A vibrant, larger-than-life twenty-two-year-old, Victoria quite literally lived for music. Just weeks before she passed away, she shared her vision to create a foundation committed to keeping music programs in schools. She wanted students to learn the value and beauty of music – and for teachers to have the tools to teach them. She felt that when creativity has the means to thrive, the world can be a more positive, harmonious place. It was her belief that every student should have the opportunity to experience the positive benefits music can bring.

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Special thanks

  • D’Addario Foundation
  • The Felicia Fund
  • Ocean State Charities
  • Coastal1 Credit Union
  • .The Pacifica Foundation
  • Victoria Alviti Music Foundation
  • Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Beta Chapter

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THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS 

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The Victoria's Dream Project brings free and accessible strings instruction to 3rd-5th grade students at Agnes E. Little and Henry J. Winters, both Title 1 elementary schools in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. We are grateful to our partners listed above and also the Victory Barnard Foundation, the Norman and Rosalie Fain Family Foundation, Brown Medicine, the Mabel T. Woolley Trust, and the Felicia Fund for their generous support of this critical and foundational music education program.


We continually review and evaluate new ideas for partnerships. For more information about partnering with the Music School to provide music education and performance opportunities to your organization, contact Hannah Ross Assistant Director of Community Partnerships, at 401.248.7008 or hross@riphil.org.