A key component of Law Rocks’ mission is to promote youth music education. In 2023, the Law Rocks Board founded the Music Matters grant, given to a local nonprofit that supports youth music education in each of our U.S. tour cities. Omi Crawford, Executive Director of Law Rocks, says of the grant initiative:
“Law Rocks has always been about championing nonprofits, especially local organizations that make a real difference in their community. The Music Matters grant deepens that commitment, helping support music education organizations nationwide as they change young lives through the power of music. It’s inspiring and exciting to learn more about each organizations work, truly one of the best things about this work!”
Today’s spotlight is on our 2025 Law Rocks Seattle Music Matters grant recipient, Totem Star. We first awarded Totem Star with a Music Matters grant in 2024, and are thrilled to be supporting the organization again this year.
We recently checked in with Totem Star Executive Director, Daniel Pak to learn what the organization has been up to over the past year. In addition to catching us up on exciting new happenings, Pak extended an invitation to the Law Rocks community to attend The Spotlight, Totem Star’s annual fundraising event, on October 9, 2025 at 9th & Thomas. Read on to learn more in our spotlight interview highlighting this outstanding organization.
2025 Seattle Music Matters Grant Recipient: Totem Star | Photo courtesy of Totem Star
1) What new successes or milestones have you achieved since we last spoke?
In 2024, in our first year at our new recording studio at historic landmark King Street Station, Totem Star provided 2,000+ hours of studio sessions to 1,167 recording artists ages 14-25.
2) What’s an exciting way your programs or initiatives have positively impacted the community in the past year?
In April 2024, Totem Star launched The Jam, a monthly jam session we host every first Thursday for artists 14-25, which provides a safe creative space for artists to collaborate and build community. The Jam has since been supported by partnerships with the Office of Arts & Culture and the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.
Totem Star Executive Director, Daniel Pak accepts the Law Rocks Seattle 2024 Music Matters grant on stage at The Crocodile with Law Rocks Executive Director, Omi Crawford | Photo by Bella Petro
3) Have any new programs or initiatives been introduced since our last conversation that you are particularly excited about?
The Jam (monthly jam sessions), Live & Local (artist showcases at neighborhood music venues), Artist Workshops (including songwriting, financial literacy, and hearing health), The Spotlight (the comeback of our annual fundraising event)
4) What has been the most rewarding aspect of your work over the past year?
A mixtape of songs produced in our new recording studio, currently in final production, slated for release later this fall. The mixtape is the culmination of the creativity, collaboration, and community building that is what Totem Star is all about - creative youth development through music production, performance, and mentorship.
Live & Local artist showcase at Baba Yaga, June 18, 2025 | Photo by Nat Silva | Courtesy of Totem Star
5) What are you most looking forward to in the coming year?
Dropping the mixtape, rocking The Spotlight (our annual fundraising event in October), and strengthening Totem Star for the next 60 years!
6) What is your favorite thing about having your organization take part in a Law Rocks event?
Law Rocks has built such a positive community of lawyers (who rock!), and we look forward to introducing them to our community of young recording artists. We are all part of the incredible ecosystem of artists and musicians.
Learn more about Totem Star.