For 35 years, ZUMIX has played a pivotal role in providing music education and creative opportunities to underserved youth in East Boston. Founded in 1991 by Madeleine Steczynski and Bob Grove under the name Music Mobile, the nonprofit has grown from humble beginnings in Steczynski’s apartment to occupying a fully renovated neighborhood firehouse. The facility now includes three floors of rehearsal rooms, performance spaces, and a 24-hour radio station, 94.9 ZUMIX Radio.

Each year, ZUMIX serves over 500 young people through afterschool and summer workshops, offering access to musical instruments, mixing boards, video equipment, and professional instruction. The organization receives funding from a variety of sources, including major sponsors such as the Boston Celtics, the Boston Bruins, concert promoter the Bowery Presents, and the foundation established by Paul and Theo Epstein. Notably, the launch of the radio station was supported by the band Pearl Jam.

ZUMIX director of programs Corey DePina, a rapper from Roxbury who became involved shortly after the nonprofit’s inception, emphasizes the hands-on approach that sets ZUMIX apart. DePina has helped expand this model internationally, assisting youth music projects in Budapest and Cape Verde. He recalls the surprise of instructors in these countries at how much responsibility the ZUMIX students are entrusted with, highlighting the organization’s belief in empowering teenagers to take an active role in their creative development.

Among the many young people impacted by ZUMIX is 17-year-old Kenneth Palacios, a guitarist in the Revere High School Rock Ensemble who also runs a youth-led online music publication called The Offstage. Palacios was recently recognized as the youngest contributor to the local music blog Allston Pudding and is exploring ways to create live music marketing ventures that emphasize in-person fan engagement rather than digital-only platforms. Steczynski credits his drive and initiative to the creative energy she experienced growing up in Boston’s punk and indie music scenes during the early 1980s.

Another longtime participant is Nora Janjar, a Revere High student who has taken voice lessons at ZUMIX since age eight. While she plans to study forensics in college, Janjar remains committed to keeping music a part of her life as she balances her academic goals with her passion for singing and playing bass. Her local rock band recently performed music by Iron Maiden and is currently working through the catalog of System of a Down.

To commemorate its 35th anniversary, ZUMIX is hosting its annual gala, “The Muze,” at City Winery in Boston on Thursday. The event’s theme, “Party Like It’s 1991,” reflects the nonprofit’s enduring commitment to youth music education and community engagement. According to Steczynski, the gala is infused with teen energy, with Shirley Temples often outselling alcoholic drinks, illustrating the organization’s focus on fostering a supportive environment for young musicians.