Travis Magrane

Travis Magrane
Trav-iss Muh-grain
he/him

Youth Music Project’s Executive Director, Travis Magrane has been teaching and performing music for more than 20 years. When he first came west, his first teaching gig was outside; he spent several years in youth outdoor education coordinating programs that take kids backpacking, rock climbing, kayaking, and learning all about natural history. He’s held many interesting jobs, from gigging musician and owner/operator of a private music-teaching studio to urban shepherd utilizing goats and sheep for land and vegetation management. 

Travis joined Youth Music Project as a music instructor in 2013 and became Program Director in 2015. In the role of Program Director, Travis provided direction for the programs in both day-to-day operations and long-term objectives, and significantly expanded program offerings and structure. Under Travis’s guidance, YMP programming grew to serve more than 850 students weekly, with a staff of more than 30. Travis stepped into the role of Executive Director in June of 2017. In this role, Travis oversees all programming, fundraising and administrative operations, as well as working with the YMP Board of Directors on the direction and strategic priorities of the organization.  

The thing Travis loves most about working at Youth Music Project is being part of an organization that brings joy to those it serves; nothing beats the excitement on the face of a child who has just learned a cool new song or riff on their instrument of choice. He loves the “excitement and nervous energy” of Student Concert Weeks as kids take the stage and show off the growth of their musicianship and self-confidence.  

Travis loves writing and recording music in his spare time, and can be found on occasion playing at local venues with a variety of ensembles.  He also enjoys extended backcountry adventures, and reading philosophy, psychology, and great fiction, and tinkering around his house while spending quality time with his wife, dog, and cat.