As the pandemic cast a shadow over the world, stages went dark, and musicians, including accomplished violinist Julia Cash, found themselves in a state of uncertainty. The sudden halt to their performances and the loss of their livelihoods left them grappling with a profound sense of frustration. However, like many of her peers, Cash didn’t let this stop her. She had dedicated her entire life to music, earning four degrees in classical violin, performing in major orchestras, and collaborating with world-renowned musicians. As the world slowed down, she began to ponder a more profound question: How can I use my skills to make a real difference?
Music for a Purpose, a nonprofit organization founded by Cash, is a unique blend of classical music and social impact. What began as a single benefit concert has evolved into a growing concert series that raises funds for a variety of causes, from refugee support to environmental conservation and addiction recovery.
The seeds for Music for a Purpose were planted long before the pandemic, in Cash’s childhood. Her best friend’s mother founded Kentucky Refugee Ministries, a nonprofit resettling more than 16,000 displaced individuals in the Louisville area. Watching this grassroots effort take shape and grow into a significant force for good left a lasting impression.
“I saw her build it up, piece by piece, from her kitchen,” Cash says. “I thought, ‘If she can do that, surely I can get a little concert series going.’”
With that inspiration, she began organizing concerts to showcase world-class classical music and give back to the community. After moving back to Louisville in 2021, she reconnected with old friends, mentors and local musicians, forming a supportive network that encouraged her to expand her vision.
What began with a single concert has now evolved into a thriving series, with the number of concerts increasing each year. Last season alone Music for a Purpose raised an impressive $17,000 across three concerts, directly benefiting nonprofit organizations. This growth is a testament to the power of music and community engagement.
Despite her self-professed lack of business acumen, Cash has been supported by a network of community advisors, volunteers and legal experts who have guided her through the complexities of running a nonprofit. Despite the challenges, she remains steadfast in her commitment to keeping concerts free and open to the public, ensuring everyone can enjoy classical music’s transformative power while supporting important causes.
Though Cash is the driving force behind Music for a Purpose, she is far from alone in her mission. The concerts feature a rotating cast of talented musicians, many of whom have ties to Louisville.
“I’ve based the series on friends of mine that I grew up with in Louisville, as well as musicians I’ve met through my career,” Cash says. “It’s about 30% people who currently live in Louisville, 30% people who grew up here and have gone on to do other things, and 30% friends I’ve met in the classical music world who I bring in from other places.”
This blend of musicians creates a unique sense of community, with audiences filled not only with classical music enthusiasts, but also friends, family members and former teachers of the performers.
Rather than focusing on a single organization, Music for a Purpose supports a variety of causes, rotating its beneficiaries with each concert. Past concerts have raised funds for:
• Kentucky Refugee Ministries, supporting displaced families
• Olmsted Parks Conservancy, dedicated to preserving Louisville’s green spaces
• The Healing Place, which provides addiction recovery services
• Earth & Spirit Center, which promotes environmental education and mindfulness
• Louisville Climate Action Network, which works on local climate initiatives
• Maryhurst, a center supporting abused children
The upcoming concerts on April 25 at St. Francis of the Fields, and April 27 at Peterson Dumesnil House, will benefit the Louisville Nature Center, an organization focused on restoring the urban forest and connecting people, especially children, to nature through education and conservation efforts. The concerts feature Dvorak’s “Dumky” trio, Beethoven’s “Spring” sonata and the music of Sebastian Chong.
“There’s no shortage of good causes that could use support,” Cash says. “Using classical music as a way to bring people together for these causes just makes sense.”
Beyond fundraising, Music for a Purpose is deeply committed to education. For every concert, Cash and her fellow musicians visit at least one school, sometimes more, to introduce students to classical music in a personal, interactive way.
“I grew up in Louisville and I wouldn’t have had the career I’ve had if I didn’t have access to quality music education,” she says. “So I feel a responsibility to give back.”
These school visits include live performances, discussions about classical music and workshops to inspire the next generation of musicians. Cash has also organized family-friendly concerts, including a narrated Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” performance at a local farmers market.
Recently she secured a grant to bring an all-black classical music ensemble to three schools in Louisville’s West End. The ensemble performed works by black composers, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
“It was so powerful,” Cash says. “Seeing the students light up when they saw musicians who looked like them playing this incredible music was something I’ll never forget.”
Cash envisions a more structured approach to the seasons as Music for a Purpose grows, potentially dedicating an entire year of concerts to a specific cause, such as women and children, environmental conservation or underserved communities. This long-term vision demonstrates the potential impact and growth of the organization.
She also hopes to collaborate with similar initiatives, such as Concerts for a Cause in Indianapolis, which has hosted benefit concerts since 2016. “I’d love to connect with them and see how we can help each other,” she says.
However, despite her ambitions, Cash is mindful of keeping the organization sustainable.
“I don’t want to do a concert every week,” she says. “I think there’s a saturation point. Right now I’m aiming for four to six concerts a year, and that feels like the right balance.”
For those who want to support Music for a Purpose, there are several ways to help:
• Attend a concert – All performances are free and open to the public.
• Donate – Contributions go directly to the nonprofit organizations featured in each concert.
• Volunteer – There are many ways to contribute, from helping with concert logistics to grant writing and marketing.
Ultimately, Music for a Purpose is about more than just music; it’s about using art to create real, tangible change. “Music is the medium, but the goal is positive change,” Cash says. “Anyone who believes in that is welcome to join us.”
For more information on upcoming concerts, visit musicforapurpose.org.
