Game-based Arts + STEM enrichment kids love
O·ver·ture: An introduction to the extraordinary
The Problem We're Solving
Arts education is disappearing from schools. Budget cuts and standardized testing pressures have pushed arts programs to the margins, leaving millions of students without access to creative learning. At the same time, traditional music lessons don't work for every child—many kids quit after just a few months, discouraged by rote memorization and isolated practice.
Meanwhile, kids spend hours every day engaging with screens. What if we could transform that screen time from passive consumption into active musical creation?
Our Approach
Overture Games delivers game-based arts education directly to K–8 students through after-school programs at partner schools across Chicago and Boston. Our approach is simple: we meet kids where they are, using the interactive games they love to teach real music skills—rhythm, melody, harmony, composition, and collaboration.
Students compose original music, perform for their peers, and share their creations with parents. Every session builds toward something real: songs they've written, beats they've created, and musical concepts they learned. We provide everything schools need: certified instructors, age-appropriate devices, a research-backed curriculum, and full logistical support.
For schools, Overture is turnkey and free to partner with. For parents, it's an enrichment program their kids actually want to attend. For students, it's the moment they realize music isn't something you passively consume—it's something you create.
Founders
Aspen Buckingham
CEO & Co-Founder
Aspen Buckingham is the CEO & Co-Founder of Overture Games and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. A music technologist and educator who has presented at Northwestern University, Tulane, and Techstars, he serves on the board of the Chicago Area Music Teachers Association (CAMTA). With a background in both music education and technology, Aspen co-founded Overture Games to bridge the gap between how kids naturally learn through play and how music has traditionally been taught.
Steven Jiang
COO & Co-Founder
Steven Jiang is the COO & Co-Founder of Overture Games, recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 and Inno Under 25 lists. A Northwestern University alum and Techstars founder, Steven is a world-touring musician turned tech entrepreneur. He built a massive community of over 300,000 followers on TikTok as the world's most followed clarinetist and has helped students secure millions in music scholarships. Now, he's channeling that passion into Overture, gamifying music education to make learning accessible and addictive.
Overture's curriculum is designed in partnership with educators and researchers from Northwestern University, University of Chicago, NYU, and partners through ASCAP. Every game, every lesson, and every reward system is built on the principle that music should be joyful, social, and accessible to all students—not just those who can afford private lessons or have prior experience.
Our Teaching Team
Our Impact
What's Happening in Our Classrooms
"One mom told me her son had been talking about scales all week."
"I like Overture because it gets me to keep playing. I was a bit late to my baseball game because I wanted to keep playing Intervallic!"
"I told all my friends to sign up for the next one. I can't live without this class."
"When they're laughing, learning, and making music together, that's what success looks like."
Our Mission
"Make arts education joyful, social, and accessible—right after school."
Ready to Bring Music to Your School?
Whether you're a parent looking for programs or a school administrator interested in partnering with us, we'd love to hear from you.