Your tax-deductible donation or sponsorship fuels Shine Music’s mission to create barrier-free music experiences where everyone belongs. You’ll help bring innovative adaptive technology, inclusive design, and community-led accessibility initiatives to life—while keeping the majority of the festival free for all to enjoy.
Shine Music Update: A Pause with Purpose
Building the Future of Accessibility in Music
Dear Shine Family,
We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being part of our journey to make live music accessible and inclusive for all. Your energy, support, and belief in our mission have helped us break down barriers and light up stages with joy, unity, and purpose.
While we won’t be hosting Shine Music Festival in 2025, this pause is a powerful one. Like any great performance, timing matters—and right now, it’s an especially difficult season for nonprofit fundraising. Rather than pushing forward under strain, we’re using this moment to thoughtfully lay the foundation for Shine’s next five years.
This time is about more than rest—it’s about reinvention.
We’re actively expanding our work beyond the festival through three pillars: Education, Advocacy, and Technology. One exciting development is our effort to join the University of Colorado’s Senior Design Project in Biomedical Engineering, where Shine will collaborate on a groundbreaking new product designed to make live music experiences more accessible. This initiative has the potential to create lasting impact far beyond a single event.
We’re currently raising funds to support both this new innovation and the future of Shine Music Festival. If our mission resonates with you, we invite you to contribute, share our story, and help us shape a more inclusive future—one beat, one barrier, one breakthrough at a time.
With gratitude and momentum,
The Shine Music Team
About Shine Music
Our Team
Our Mission & Impact
Shine Music Festival
Our Mission
Shine Music’s mission is to transform live music into a place where everyone belongs. We break down barriers through innovative accessibility, thoughtful design, and community collaboration, creating events that unite people of all abilities in shared celebration. By continuously strengthening our foundation and expanding what’s possible, we strive to inspire connection, foster inclusion, and build a stronger community through the power of music.
Our Pillars
At Shine Music, our work is built on three core pillars that guide everything we do:
Our Pillars
At Shine Music, our work is built on three core pillars that guide everything we do:
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Accessibility – Removing physical, sensory, and social barriers so people of all abilities can share in the joy of live music.
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Innovation – Developing and integrating creative technologies and designs that redefine what inclusive events can be.
- Community – Bringing people together in spaces that celebrate diversity, foster connection, and build lasting relationships.
2019
Year Established
40+
Hours of free live music
95
Community & Technology Partners
14,000+
Attendees
Community Feedback
"I love dancing because people get to see me for who I am, not just someone who lives with a physical disability and uses a wheelchair...they begin to interact with me like I am a human. These experiences make me feel happy and seen."
"You and your team were top notch and we appreciate everything you did for us and for the cause. It's so nice to witness someone put on a show for a purpose instead of a dollar. You are a great soul."
"Thanks for giving me the gift of an accessible music festival. I felt empowered and confident to enjoy the experience on my terms and at my own pace. This is the first time I've ever been able to not depend on a sighted human to enjoy a festival like this. It was a blast!!! Can't wait for next year!"
"This was really amazing and far exceeded my expectations. Keep doing what you're doing!"
"Thank you for your tireless work in bringing something so inclusive to Colorado! Count us in as supporters for future events."
"I had a blast. Great festival. I have agoraphobia and severe anxiety and had enough places I could escape to. It was fun!!!"
"I just read about Shine and was brought to tears. I have wished for something like this!"
"Great indoor and outdoor areas, performances, vendors and staff. It was also great to see people of all abilities enjoying the event! I plan ongoing a third year even if I don't know any of the acts."
"Thank you so much for allowing us the ability to attend without paying. It was appreciated by our family."
Get Involved!
Shine Music thrives because of the passion, creativity, and commitment of people like you. Whether you’re an individual, business, or organization, there are many ways to join our mission of making live music accessible for all.
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Sponsor – Partner with us to bring innovative accessibility features and unforgettable performances to life while showcasing your commitment to inclusion.
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Volunteer – Lend your time and talents to help create barrier-free events that leave a lasting impact on our community.
- Advisory Committee – Share your expertise, ideas, and connections to help guide Shine Music’s growth and vision.
Be part of the movement—together, we can make live music a place where everyone belongs.