Matthew Burton

Music has played a transformative role in my life, which is why United Sound's mission resonates so deeply with me. As a combat medic veteran, I experienced firsthand the healing power of music through my participation in Guitars for Vets. Picking up a guitar helped me process emotions, find community, and restore a sense of peace that words often failed to provide. Music offered me a path to healing, and I have seen that same impact in my children's lives. My son found his voice and confidence through his school band, while my daughter discovered creativity and resilience as part of her school orchestra.

United Sound is a unique and vital program because it brings these opportunities to students who are often left behind. By pairing mentors with students with disabilities, United Sound opens doors that traditional programs might never unlock. It creates not just musicians, but a community where everyone has the chance to express themselves and be heard. I believe in United Sound because I have lived the difference music can make – and I want every young person, no matter their challenges, to experience that same joy, connection, and growth.