Creativity and Community : Jessica Catron's Business Story

Creativity and Community: Jessica Catron's Business Story

Jessica Catron is a professional cellist, teaching artist, and founder of Grow Music Missoula, a youth-centered music school offering strings education, ensemble experiences, and mentorship in western Montana. Drawing from her career in performance and her passion for youth development, Jessica created a place where musical growth and personal growth go hand in hand.

Starting with Curiosity and Creativity

Jessica’s path to entrepreneurship wasn’t linear. Her business evolved from a deep sense of curiosity and a love for connection. After working as a professional musician in Los Angeles, she realized that the most fulfilling part of her career wasn’t performance, it was sharing music with others.

That belief became the foundation for Grow Music Missoula, which Jessica launched in 2016. The school offers group classes and private lessons for all ages and skill levels, while centering access, creativity, and self-expression. Over time, it’s become a vibrant community space where students not only learn to play, but to listen, lead, and belong. “If I can change a few lives for the better, I feel like that's been worth it,” she said.

Centering Community Access

From the beginning, Jessica designed Grow Music with equity and access in mind. The music school became fiscally sponsored by Arts Missoula in 2022, opening the door for more charitable programming and donor support. Through scholarships, grants, and community fundraising, Jessica ensures that cost isn’t a barrier to participation.

Programs like “Grow Music Presents” make that mission tangible. Grow Music Presents is a youth-led concert series that raises both funds and visibility for the school. Jessica also leads “Crescendo Club”, a program that provides scholarships and brings professional strings educators into public elementary classrooms to help young learners build confidence and connection through music.

Honest, Creative, and Community-Driven Work

One of Jessica’s accomplishments is the school’s organic mentorship model. Many older students return as assistant teachers, mentors, and performers. Some go on to become music educators themselves. “It's always been really important to me that what we're sort of imparting on younger people, supplies and mentors, gives them tools that they can use in their lives.”

At its heart, Jessica’s business isn’t just about music—it’s about belonging. Through her honesty, creativity, and relentless care, she’s built more than a school. She’s built a community where people are seen, supported, and celebrated for who they are.