Our History

In December 2007, Tonya Dorsey put together a group of voices to sing her original musical compositions, creating the group, Tonya Dorsey and New Vision. Initially, the sole purpose was to honor and praise God through song. Then, God had his way, and the mission increased. Out of the original venture, a nonprofit foundation was created, Tonya Dorsey and New Vision A NJ Nonprofit Corporation; the sole purpose is dedicated to honoring God by supporting young aspiring musicians. This goal is accomplished by providing scholarships to children, grades 4 through 11, in the performing arts. All proceeds from performances, along with donations are put into a scholarship fund. All professional musicians associated with the foundation donate their time and talent. A Board of Trustees was created to oversee and manage the progress of this nonprofit corporation.

In June 2008, Tonya Dorsey and New Vision debuted to a packed audience at the historic St. Peter Claver Center for Evangelization in Center City Philadelphia. During this concert, the 1st scholarship recipient was announced: 10 year old Danille Clark from north Philadelphia. This full scholarship enabled young Danille to attend Settlement Music School for the 2008/09 academic year to study piano. The foundation’s inaugural year was a gigantic success, in that, Danille learned the value of devotion, the importance of attendance, and the positive results of practice. Danille continues to participate in musical activities in high school.

In January 2009, the Trustees created a scholarship application process, and also obtained Federal IRS 501(c)(3) status, which meant an increase in monetary support. As a result, four scholarships were awarded to students who went on to study violin, trumpet, cello, and viola. The 2009 scholarship fund was funded, in-part, by the Atlantic City Electric Company and from a freewill offering concert held by the Tonya Dorsey and New Vision choir at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Catholic Church in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia.

The foundation awarded thirteen scholarships to children from Pennsylvania and New Jersey in 2010: these awards resulted in students studying a variety of instruments, as well as dance. Each year has brought an increase in the number of scholarships awarded and by 2014, eighty-nine scholarships had been awarded. The real success of New Vision is measured in the number of lives changed, and in how their actions inspire others to help. Tonya envisions a future where formal musical training is available to all children, regardless of finances. Many events sponsored by the foundation now include current and previous scholarship recipients. Some previous winners are music majors in college. The scholarships inspire the children and the children inspire each other.

In 2015, the foundation crossed the 100 mark in the number of scholarships awarded and garnered the support of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. The Board of Trustees doubled in size and the momentum to make a difference continues. The mission of Tonya Dorsey and New Vision, Inc. is to praise and worship God through song, honor Him by providing scholarships, and magnify Him by encouraging others to help.

The Board of Trustees has been successful at sponsoring a variety of fundraising activities for the purpose of raising scholarship funds; these activities have included a Benefit Brunch, an annual Celebration of the Christmas Season, a Talent Showcase, and the Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony and Concert. Revenue is also gained through corporate sponsorship and individual donations.  

Annually, in June, the foundation presents a Scholarship Awards Ceremony and Concert, where the recipients are awarded scholarships and attendees enjoy an energetic concert with intergenerational participants.  

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Our Mission

The mission statement of Tonya Dorsey and New Vision A NJ Nonprofit Corporation is to honor God by giving back to the community. This goal is accomplished by awarding scholarships to young aspiring artists, grades 4 thru 11, in the performing arts. ​These $500 scholarships are used to assist families in paying for private instruction. Since awarding their first scholarship in 2008, they have witnessed a 200% growth in the number of scholarships awarded. TDNV Visionary, Tonya Dorsey, a composer, understands the rewards of an education that includes the performing arts. 


“Early musical training helps develop brain areas involved in language and reasoning. Recent studies show that students who study the arts are more successful on standardized tests such as the SAT. Additionally, students involved in the arts learn to think creatively and to solve problems by imagining various solutions. Music provides children with a means of self-expression. Music performance teaches young people to conquer fear.”  - Carolyn Phillips author Twelve Benefits of Music Education Former Executive Director of the Norwalk Youth Symphony, CT.  

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Why Does TDNV Provide These Opportunities?

•  Children who study music tend to have larger vocabularies and more advanced reading skills than their peers who do not participate in music lessons.  
• Children with learning disabilities or dyslexia who tend to lose focus with more noise could benefit greatly from music lessons.  
• Music programs are constantly in danger of being cut from shrinking school budgets even though they're proven to improve academics.  
• Children who study a musical instrument are more likely to excel in all of their studies, work better in teams, have enhanced critical thinking skills, stay in school, and pursue further education.  
• In the past, secondary students who participated in a music group at school reported the lowest lifetime and current use of all substances (tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs). Schools with music programs have an estimated 90.2% graduation rate and 93.9% attendance rate compared to schools without music education, which average 72.9% graduation and 84.9% attendance.  
• Regardless of socioeconomic status or school district, students (3rd graders) who participate in high-quality music programs score higher on reading and spelling tests. A Stanford study shows that music engages areas of the brain which are involved with paying attention, making predictions and updating events in our memory.  
• Much like expert technical skills, mastery in arts and humanities is closely correlated to a greater understanding of language components.  
• Young children who take music lessons show different brain development and improved memory over the course of a year, compared to children who do not receive musical training. Schools that have music programs have an attendance rate of 93.3% compared to 84.9% in schools without music programs.   

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*** All information sourced from " https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-music-education"