Madeleine Steczynski and Bob Grove launch Music Mobile, now known as ZUMIX, in their home in East Boston with a summer songwriting program called the Street Program
1992
1992
Corey DePina joins ZUMIX as a 12-year-old rapper
1992
Warmth Program
ZUMIX creates the Warmth Program, an intergenerational outreach program involving local youth bringing joy to local seniors during the cold winter months.
1993
1993
ZUMIX creates Music In Maverick Square
ZUMIX creates Music In Maverick Square, a free outdoor concert series designed to uplift and celebrate the long-neglected East Boston community
1994
1994
Vermont Arts Exchange
ZUMIX began a collaboration with the Vermont Arts Exchange, which lasted for more than 20 years. Each summer, we brought young artists from our Street Program to Bennington to perform and to lead songwriting workshops for youth in a nearby residential school coping with mental health symptoms.
1996
1996
Cardinal’s Nest
ZUMIX moves into the old “Cardinal’s Nest,” a notorious former bar turned youth center at 202 Maverick St
2005
2005
ZUMIX Radio launches at 1630 AM
2005
ZUMIX launches a capital campaign to purchase and develop a vacant City-owned fire station
2010
2010
ZUMIX moves into our permanent home
ZUMIX moves into our permanent home, the beautiful, LEED Gold Certified Engine Company 40 Firehouse at 260 Sumner Street.
2011
2011
ZUMIX Radio producer Cassanova Robinson is included on PRX’s list of Best Youth-Made Radio for his story “Why I Got Called Osama in High School.”
2011
National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award
ZUMIX accepted the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award at the White House from First Lady Michelle Obama.
2011
ZUMIX co-founder and executive director Madeleine Steczynski is chosen to serve as a prestigious Barr Fellow.
2015
2015
ZUMIX’s ongoing partnership with Boston Public Schools continues, with a high school drumline and other student groups.
2016
2016
ZUMIX Teen Council
The ZUMIX Teen Council reemerged as a leadership group within the organization, connecting youth, staff, board members and the Boston community. In their first year, they helped curate YESFest, a music festival for teens, by teens.
2016
ZUMIX Radio is awarded one of two low-power FM licenses
ZUMIX Radio is awarded one of two low-power FM licenses available in Metro Boston by the FCC, and launches on 94.9 FM.
2017
2017
ZUMIX students got to meet and then open for Sting at the Lenny Zakim Fund’s 20th Anniversary gala at Royale.
2017
ZUMIX youth ensemble Wild Painting recorded and released their first album
ZUMIX youth ensemble Wild Painting recorded and released their first album, Emotions, to wide acclaim.
2018
2018
ZUMIX is a LocaloreLive awardee
ZUMIX is a LocaloreLive awardee from the nationwide Association of Independents in Radio for its narrative project “Constelación de Historias,” documenting neighbors’ work for housing justice.
2018
Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Gonzalo Grau and ZUMIX youths’ performance of “Pegasus Promenade” and Holst’s “The Planets” was named the Boston Globe’s best outdoor concert of 2018.
2019
2019
ZUMIX youth artist Gabi Barroso wins the 2019 Evan Gilman Youth Activist Award presented by Teen Empowerment for her leadership, good humor and spirit as a youth radio producer and musician.
2020
2020
ZUMIX alumnus and Director of Programs Corey DePina received a Black Excellence on the Hill award from the Massachusetts State House.
2020
Shuttered during COVID, ZUMIX continues to offer services remotely
Shuttered during COVID, ZUMIX continues to offer services remotely (video classes and lessons via Zoom), as well as helping families navigate the financial and emotional impact of the pandemic.
2021
2021
The Sprouts present “El Nopal”
The Sprouts present “El Nopal” – a bilingual video play about overcoming challenges through art – at the ICA Watershed’s Family Day.
2021
Philanthropist Mackenzie Scott makes a $1 million donation to ZUMIX
As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, philanthropist Mackenzie Scott makes a $1 million donation to ZUMIX and includes us on her list of “286 Teams Empowering Voices the World Needs to Hear.”
2023
2023
¿Porque Puma?
¿Porque Puma?, ZUMIX’s Latin ensemble, released their debut album.
2023
ZUMIX launched a partnership with Celebrity Series of Boston
ZUMIX launched a partnership with Celebrity Series of Boston (now known as Vivo Performing Arts) to employ our young sound engineers, videographers and editors for its Neighborhood Arts series.
2023
10-year-old Layla Rodriguez performs the national anthem for a sold-out Red Sox / Yankees crowd at Fenway Park.
2023
ZUMIX youth present “Open Your Heart” on Boston’s City Hall Plaza
ZUMIX youth present “Open Your Heart” on Boston’s City Hall Plaza, an original play woven from oral stories celebrating immigrant leaders in East Boston.
2024
2024
The ZuKix at Gillette Stadium
The ZuKix performed at Gillette Stadium for the New England Revolution’s Noche Latina, and ZUMIX vocalist, Kiana Angulo, opened the game with the national anthem.
2024
Gergely Bandi of Superar Hungary spends four months interning at ZUMIX through IREX, a program sponsored by the U.S. State Department.
2025
2025
Two ZUMIX youth ensembles were invited to perform and run master classes at the Panama Jazz Festival.
2025
Corey DePina, ZUMIX Director of Programs, travels to Hungary for a cultural exchange program with Superar Hungary and Greg.
2026
2026
ZUMIX alum Justin Ortiz, an actor and stunt double who performed with Bad Bunny at Super Bowl LX, visited the Firehouse to talk to ZUMIX students about his career path.
2026
2026 – ZUMIX turns 35 and celebrates with a fabulous Birthday Bop at the Firehouse!
