This presentation will demonstrate how the current middle and high school mandated curriculum is upside down, excluding and leaving behind a vast number of young artists and music students. By teaching students how to play music they already listen to, introducing improvisation from the beginning, and bringing them to real public music venues to perform, Anthropos has helped thousands of students growing up in poverty to navigate their way through middle/high school, with 90% going on to college on scholarship. These methods foster inclusion and give kids a tremendous boost in confidence.