Hey everyone. You can read below the crazy journey this has taken.. as I haven’t deleted anything, just added to.., In short, mako music and yes, me, matt Koon, needs your help. Im gonna be really transparent here, with the benefit of hindsight. My health has been failing for awhile now. The only thing I could really do was run mako. I’d get home and just collapse. Barely having the strength or will to perform the most basic functions or even take care of myself. Mako, the pride of my life, started to suffer in the fall as my health started to fail, and my refusal to get help perpetuatesd every issue. The standard of teaching stayed high, but the amount of hours I could function plummeted. Turns out I was in heart failure. For about a year. Just a slight move away from death or stroke as I ran camps and ran lessons and did the best I could. This led to depression, and me not getting my anxiety and adhd meds and my car catching on fire getting totaled and  me not even caring.   It is a blessing I was hospitalized the 12 days I was. But I need help, and I’m asking. So whether you’re a friend, a mako alumni, a podcast fan, im asking. I want to ensure mako will be here forever.  Your donation will help. Yes, I got myself in a hole here. It’s on me. But I ironies if I get out, and I just can’t get out by myself. you will be proud of the work we do and that you were a part, that’s my goal. Thanks so much, matt. (Past statuses belie) I am currently writing this from the hospital.  (mcv) Where I have been since Sunday, and will be for the next few days. “Heart failure.” They say. I will get better. I’m on a slow road to recovery. So, everything below is true, but I haven’t touched the money. I knew fall was when it was all going to get tough, almost impossible to survive. Plus I had camps to run.   And we made it through the summer.. but I almost didn’t. Anyone who knows me knew things weren’t right, and getting worse. Turns out I was running camps while suffering from heart failure and pulmonary adema.  So NOW Mako REALLY  needs your help. Or it will be gone. It has done some great things for many people. Maybe you. Maybe someone like you. It is my whole life, and has changed lives, and it cannot go out like this. So please help. I founded Mako Music School 14 years ago with nothing but determination and a hammer, and since then, it has grown into a vibrant community in central Virginia. Our school has helped hundreds of students find their voice, their confidence, and their place in the world. Many of our students have gone on to be accepted at governor’s school, all-state jazz band, and music colleges across the country. But what I’m most proud of is the welcoming environment we’ve created—a home away from home for kids who often feel different or struggle to find acceptance elsewhere. We’ve always prioritized excellence, individualization, and passion for the work over profit, offering over $50,000 in discounted lessons and camps, and giving more than $20,000 to help students attend renowned music camps out of state. 
 
 
 Despite all we’ve accomplished, recent economic challenges and my own health issues have made it difficult to keep up with rent and payroll. Music lessons are often seen as expendable when times get tough, and we’ve fallen behind on essential expenses. Donations to this fundraiser will go directly toward past and future rent, staff payroll owed, property upkeep—including HVAC and plumbing—and utilities. This support will give us the breathing room we need to stabilize Mako Music School and ensure it continues to serve students for years to come. 
 
 
 Any help you can give will make a real difference in keeping Mako Music School open and thriving. Thank you for supporting our mission and the community we’ve built together. Your generosity will help us turn this challenging moment into just a bump in the road, so we can keep inspiring and encouraging young musicians for many years ahead.

Anonymous

Daniel Boyd

Colby Bowker

Kelsey Martin

Alaina Gray

Amanda Gates

Catherine Beal

Bella Salunga

Matt Anderson

Brian Beissel

Henry Joyner

RORY KARPF

Christina Mergler

Sue Poutre

Melissa Molitor

Floyd Johnson

Elizabeth Franciosa

Help Matt Koon and Mako Music School!

Help Matt Koon and Mako Music School!

Still $4,195 to go. Help us build momentum.