Hello, my name is D’Quan McKnight and I started my own company called MUSIQ DNA, LLC. Along with the desire to have my own business came a dream of helping children become all of what they can see and believe. Many of our children are limited in their exposure to musical training due to their race, economic background, and location. As a child growing up in an urban area, my family knew that I had real talent and an ear for music; however, they could not afford to send nor enroll me in any school or program for musical training that could have nurtured and polished my gift.
I struggled hard to learn and teach myself about the fundamentals of music, vocals and instruments, and in spite of my limitations, and by the grace of God, today I am an accomplished musician. Although this is a testimony for me, this can be an opportunity for others. Ministry simply means to fulfill the need, and I believe in the ministry of music. I believe that we can inspire our youth and transform whole communities by providing an arena where our children can learn to utilize their musical gifts and abilities.
For this reason, I am forming the "PURPOSE ACADEMY", which will provide an environment conducive to learning and exploring children's musical talents and potential. We not only want to tap into and nurture these gifts, but we want to push them into becoming musicians, artists, vocalists, etc., who surpass the stereotypes and limitations of their environment. We want to give children an outlet for their musical expression and the freedom to pursue different musical avenues in today’s world.
The Purpose Academy for Music and Arts is not just a music program; it is an opportunity for young people to not only find but act upon their purpose in life through the knowledge of music. Purpose Academy offers trained courses in dance, drama, percussion, piano, voice, and much more. We have certified teachers and instructors, and even some professors who have taught music and are currently a part of the music industry. The children will be exposed to musicians who have performed in Broadway plays, such as “The Color Purple" and “The Lion King”, and toured with big time celebrities, such as R&B artists “Jazmine Sullivan” and “Chrisette Michele”, and gospel artist “Hezekiah Walker”.
