Our Mission
The Otis Redding Foundation’s mission is to empower, enrich, and motivate all young people through programs involving music, writing and instrumentation.
Each partnership and program sponsored since its inception in 2007 supports the philanthropic commitment of Otis Redding to empower and enlighten all young people to fulfill their dreams.
Otis Redding was dedicated to improving the quality of life for our community through the education and empowerment of its youth. Prior to his untimely passing in 1967, Otis Redding was already awarding scholarships to young students continuing their education. After his death, his widow Mrs. Zelma Redding continued his philanthropic efforts, and established the Otis Redding Foundation in his honor in 2007. With its roots in music, the Foundation offers opportunities for youth to exercise their talents and expand their abilities.
Otis Music Camp
The Otis Music Camp takes place over 11 days in June in Macon, Ga. for ages 12-18. Otis Music Campers experience a high level of music forums conducted by key leaders in the industry. Professional and collegiate musicians come from across the world to develop the voices and instrumental abilities of campers.
OMC the Virtual Experience
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, OMC pivoted to a virtual format. Powered by BlueJeans, this virtual experience continues our mission of enhancing and motivating young minds in music and the arts in the midst of the pandemic. Moving forward, this virtual experience can be used to reach students outside of Middle Georgia and potentially educate students across the globe.
Otis Redding Center for the Arts
The Otis Redding Center for the Arts offers private lessons for ages 5-18 in piano, strings, guitar, drums, voice, theory, production/engineering, and more, as well as songwriting workshops throughout the year
DREAM Team
The DREAM Team is composed of performers ages 12-18, performing a mixture of classics, soul, and pop. They have performed across the country from the White House to Nashville’s Ryman Theatre and Princess Cruises, and are available for special events.
The DREAM Cast
A bi-weekly podcast created by the students of the Otis Music Camp in Macon, Georgia, a project of the Otis Redding Foundation. Each episode of the DREAMcast features stories and conversations with exceptional artists from our hometown of Macon, GA and around the world.
Camp DREAM
Camp DREAM is a week long creative arts camp for students ages 5-11. Camp DREAM is designed to introduce children to the creative arts and encourage them to express themselves through music, visual arts, and dance. Previous locations have included: The Academy for Classical Education, Campus Clubs Macon, Burdell-Hunt Elementary School, and the Tubman Museum.
OTIS MUSIC CAMP
The Otis Music Camp takes place over 11 days in June in Macon, Ga. for ages 12-18. Otis Music Campers experience a high level of music forums conducted by key leaders in the industry. Professional and collegiate musicians come from across the world to develop the voices and instrumental abilities of campers
Otis Music Camp 2.0: The Virtual Experience
The Otis Redding Foundation will go digital with Otis Music Camp 2.0. Powered by BlueJeans the virtual experience will be held June 8-12, with the continued mission of enhancing and motivating young minds in music and the arts. To ensure that kids do not miss out on the immersive music camp due to COVID-19, ORF has released its latest update of the camp, OMC 2.0. This version will feature group vocal warm-ups, master class presentations and access to their own home studio using the platform Soundtrap.
OTIS REDDING CENTER FOR ARTS
DREAM TEAM
The DREAM Team is composed of performers ages 12-18, performing a mixture of classics, soul, and pop. They have performed across the country from the White House to Nashville’s Ryman Theatre and Princess Cruises, and are available for special events. For more information, email kimberly@otisreddingfoundation.org.
CAMP DREAM
The Otis Redding Foundation, together with the Legacy Builders Foundation, present after-school and school break programming for students K-5. Otis Music Camp coaches cover: Songwriting, Percussion, Piano, Theater, Voice, Dance and Visual Arts. These areas will integrate to create one project, culminating in a performance to showcase the work all the students have done over the weeks. Previous locations have included: The Academy for Classical Education, Campus Clubs Macon, Burdell-Hunt Elementary School, and the Tubman Museum.