NEW YORK, April 12, 2011 -- Music Empowers Foundation and its celebrity partner, platinum-selling recording artist and American Idol Season 8 winner, Kris Allen, recently announced the awarding of an unrestricted grant to Artist Corps New Orleans.  Artist Corps provides stipends to educators who agree to come to New Orleans and teach music in the city's public or charter schools.

"This generous grant from the Music Empowers Foundation helps to ensure that over 800 New Orleans students – who would not otherwise have music in their schools – will receive ongoing sequential music instruction," said Sonya Robinson, Director, Artist Corps New Orleans upon receiving news of the grant.

Andy Davis, founder of Music Empowers Foundation, said he became aware of Artist Corps in early 2010 and went to New Orleans last October to visit some of the classrooms. "I saw first hand the amazing job being done by the Artist Corps teachers.  They are playing a pivotal role in revitalizing music education in New Orleans and so many children are reaping the benefits," he said.

This is not the first time Music Empowers has assisted Artist Corps.  Over the past year, several classes have received funds to purchase instruments and other materials through the Music Empowers "Double Your Impact" matching grants program via DonorsChoose.org.