The Music Resource Center

MRC Logo. The letters 'MRC' next to an 'M' made of 3 different frequencies of waveforms.
Various posters and paintings hang on the MRC walls.
A shelf cubby full of vinyl records.

Step inside & listen to the sounds of the community…

Notes and posters are hung on a corkboard.
A drawing on printer paper with 4 different sections depicting scenes from various TV shows and captioned "You Do the Math." It is hung up on a gray wall.

These are the sounds that may greet you when you walk into the lobby of the MRC — a cozy space where members of the C’ville community are greeted with a smile as they check themselves in for their visit. Filled with artwork and knick-knacks, the inside of the MRC is revealed to be a hidden gem compared to its unassuming church exterior. Even I was caught by surprise when I first visited!

As I stared at the exterior gathering my thoughts before my first visit, a friendly stranger called out to me asking “Do you like music?”. This was Ike, their kind membership and community coordinator and dance instructor. When I explained who I was and my interest in learning about their community, I was welcomed and brought inside to receive an incredible tour from Jordan, their program director, and learn about what makes their community sing…

Though I didn’t share their mind-boggling musical talent, I still feel a part of the community nonetheless after interacting with multiple amazing and passionate people!

Empty wall space is tough to come by here…

Gray walls are decorated with various posters, photographs, and a signed snare drum head. A metal cart holds various vinyls and a record player marked with a QR code labelled "How do I work this record player?"

The MRC is an organization that connects the youth of Charlottesville with musical resources and provides them with the freedom and tools to explore.

The front of the MRC building, a brick structure with tall ornate wooden doors. Posters with the MRC logo on it are hung up on either side of the door.

Here in the lobby, everyone mingles as they go about their activities - whether they’re learning a new instrument, participating in a skills workshop, perfecting their newest dance routine, or using the calm space to finish school assignments. Sometimes they might be watching Jumanji on the comfy couch, chatting about the movie…

This is where the MRC members, grades 6-12, experience the beginning of the choose-your-own-adventure-like space where a treasure trove of instruments and mentors are available to them. It’s my FAVORITE space — comforting and visibly well-loved!

The MRC lobby. On one side is a desk containing music and hygenine materials, and on the other side is a seating area. Shirts and sweaters are hung up on the wall, and an instrument standing with acoustic guitars and a banjo is in the walkway.
A different angle of the MRC lobby. From this side, you can see down a corridor with whiteboards on the walls.
The seating area in the MRC lobby. There is a black leather couch, and a TV is hung on the wall.

As you move through the maze of the MRC, you come across various practice rooms where members of the community play…

A room with bright blue walls acts as the control room for the music space, which can be seen through a window in the wall. A mixer is on a desk right below the window, and a multi-tiered electric keyboard setup is on the right.
The inside of the music room. From this angle, a grand piano, a percussion box, and a large whiteboard can be seen. In the back, there is a shelf with various cables and power cords.
The inside of the music room. This angle shows a drum kit, various amps, and monitor speakers. There is acoustic foam on the back wall.
another angle of the inside of the music room. In the corner, there are various mic and music stands. and a red leather couch is up against the wall.
A view of the drive to the MRC on the Charlottesville Trolley.

Core Values

Every community has its hallmark traits, and the MRC is no exception. But these values are unique in that they’re offered to the youth of C’ville — something that is very difficult for kids to come by in this day and age. It was during my trolley ride back from the MRC that I came to understand the maturity and freedom which is afforded to all of its members, regardless of age or background. After talking to Jordan, I could tell the MRC makes it a priority to cultivates a culture of care and maintain their core values of…

How do you feel when you leave the MRC?

Agency

Growth

Respect

Experimentation

A young man plays the electric keyboard.
The control room for the small room. A desktop computer sits on the desk with a small piano in front of it. A gibson guitar is hung up on the wall.
A singing cubby. Walls are lined with black sound-insulating material on it, and a microphone is on a stand in the corner.
A young man performs with a young woman. The man plays a guitar, and the woman plays the drums.
A young man sings into a mircophone while performing.
The rock room, a room with blue walls covered in black acoustic foam. A basic drumset is in the corner, and an acoustic guitar is hung on the wall.
Three young people play around with their instruments. The person in the center holds an acoustic guitar, and the person on the right is drumming on the guitar neck with drum sticks.

Groups & individuals claim their favorite practice rooms and instruments as their own. Whether it’s a hobby or a serious project, there’s something for everyone.

The maintenance closet, filled with various different musical instruments, sound equipment, and cleaning tools.

That one draw that everybody has in their house! The maintenance closet is full of treasures…

Every room has endless opportunities — there is so much to do.

Individuals in the community interact as they migrate through these spaces, sharing what they create and learn. Members pick and choose the projects they work on, and the mentors are available to help guide them. Mentors themselves work to learn new skills so that they can provide even more opportunities.

A small dance studio with wooden floors and a full wall mirror on one side.

“Everybody knows not to interrupt my dance classes” - Ike

Questions about the Community

    1. Members - the youth.

      The members are teenagers and young adults who keep the space alive. They experiment with the available resources and collaborate to create amazing projects. While there are fees to be a member, they are specific to what each member has the capacity to pay.

    2. Mentors - the adults

      The board of the MRC has fantastic mentors who work to make sure the space is comfortable and available to anyone and everyone. These mentors excel in listening to the need of the members and adjust to any situation.

    3. Parents & Volunteers

      Members of the community that jump in every once in a while are parents and volunteers! They share supplies and support.

  • Because the space is such a sandbox and has a DIY culture, being involved can be as simple as showing up and acknowledging each other in this space where there are no expectations.

    Members of the community have taken it upon themselves to engage with one another through their music — teaching, collaborating, sometimes just nodding a pleasant hello. There is agency afforded to all involved in the MRC.

    Members even have the opportunity to become “MRC certified” in music creation, gaining substantial career experience and skills to carry through life.

  • After spending some time with the community, I think the #1 display of care in the MRC is letting people do their own thing. Here, space is a gift.

    Members trust that everyone is here to work through their personal concerns, but when it comes to serious circumstances, the mentors are adamant in protecting the individuals by giving them a safe space (literally and figuratively).

  • The MRC has events that reach out to the Charlottesville community and they’re always looking to spread the word, but for the most part, the community is sustained by a small number of participants who come back frequently.

    I get the sense that once you’re in, you’re in for life!! Many members of the MRC return in new positions as they grow up.

An outside view of the MRC building, the historic former Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
A poster for a November 8, 2024 "Live at Five" MRC show.

How did it Begin?

The MRC was put together by a group of local musicians in 1995 when they realized the power music has in bringing together young people, but also in transforming them individually.

Now, it serves as a place that gives back to teens, mentors, and volunteers alike.

The C’ville art scene has allowed this opportunity to flourish and to continue youth interaction at an even greater capacity!

Events!

MRC merch, primarily stickers, sits on a table.
A poster for an MRC Electric Guitar Maintenance Workshop with Dale Hydelund from Clipper Guitars.
A poster for the MRC Rock the Block 30th Anniversary Celebration show.

  • I got a couple glimpses of a Guitar Workshop session with a couple veteran members, and it was super interesting!

  • May 10th - Battle of the Bands! 12-4 South Cafe

  • June 28th - Rock the Block! 4-7 Tonsler Park

A wall in the small music room, decorated with a neon Rolling Stones logo light and a guitar.
An MRC poster reading "Audition for SWERVE: MRC's competitive dance crew."

Challenges & Changes

Artist Block

After speaking to a couple members, the biggest challenges the MRC faces are serving the diverse needs of every member. When these kids and young adults enter the space after a troublesome day, their well-being and artistic processes. However, after a couple hours of playing around, the outside world stresses slowly melt away.

Additionally, the MRC mentors work hard to encourage members to overcome their fears of working with certain, intimidating equipment. Sometimes all the new buttons can be overwhelming — the MRC helps these kids push past these hurdles in small ways every day.

Changing the tune: Moving Locations!

The MRC anticipates moving to a new location in 2027! Be sure to check out the current space before they create a beautiful new space.

A boy in a nirvana shirt plays guitar.
The stained glass window on the side of the MRC building.

I’m thankful for the contributions of and conversations with…

  • Jordan - Program Director, fantastic tour guide, and incredible email correspondent

  • Ike - Membership & Community Coordinator, amazing conversationalist, esteemed movie critique

  • Orion - Music Producer, MRC’s #1 calming presence

  • David - an incredibly eloquent guitarist

  • Ronan - a very down-to-Earth guitarist

  • Ariana - a thoughtful, focused dancer

  • Arabelle - a warm, welcoming dancer

  • And more! I spoke to Alice (exec. director), multiple volunteers, and other members in passing.

Every individual seemed so pleased to share the MRC and gave considerate reflections and effort in every conversation.

This space and group of people impresses me so much - I wish every teen had access to a community as liberating as this one. The staff who welcomed me were incredible and every single member I spoke to was gracious and deeply thoughtful. Though I was just popping by, I was granted the same respect as any member of the community. It is no wonder why people keep going back to the MRC — and calling it home.

It is a true community of love.

  • "I don't think Charlottesville would be nearly as good without [the MRC]"

    -David

  • "I've built so many relationships I wouldn't have made"

    -Ariana

  • "It has it's own culture"

    -Ronan

  • "Everyday I feel like I at least get 1% more knowledge and confidence"

    -Arabelle

You can support them in their creations!

Any instrument or monetary donations are welcome. They will be lovingly repaired and used to create amazing things!

Donate
An instrument stand with various acoustic guitars.
A different view of the storage closet, with a half-full instrument rack holding acoustic guitars.

A guitar stand that a member made themselves!

MRC Live

Check out MRC Live - 2025 WTJU Rock Marathon. A concert of MRC members posted on the WTJU YouTube! & their Instagram below…

@mrccville

Contact Them!

Hours
Monday–Friday
2:30pm–7pm

Phone
434-979-5478
musicresourcecenter@gmail.com

Website

(All photos used in this site belong to the MRC or me)

Location
105 Ridge St.
Charlottesville, VA 22902