Teaching students AGENCY over technology
Who's in control? I am in control!
The Problem We're Solving
Today, AI is reshaping how we learn, work, and create. Students need a way to learn creative and critical thinking skills in the AI age, but schools are adapting too slowly for the speed at which AI is transforming society.
Our Approach
Overture delivers AI literacy and creative enrichment directly to K–8 students through after-school programs at partner organizations. Our programs meet kids where they are at with interactive games and projects that teach them future-proof skills: communicating clearly, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and AI literacy.
We run two core programs that both prepare students for the future:
Hands-on Creative Programs: Overture provides a variety of super fun programs! Students can take a class with friends on movie making, entrepreneurship, video game design and even creative AI literacy. Each class culminates in portfolios of characters, stories, 3D models, video games, movies and more.
Music Composition: students learn rhythm, melody, and harmony through interactive games that turn skills into original songs and build pattern recognition, collaboration, and creative confidence.
We provide everything schools need: certified instructors, materials, 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 beg to attend. For students, it’s a place where they make friends and learn to thoughtfully and safely create with technology.
Founders
Aspen Buckingham
CEO & Co-Founder
Aspen Buckingham is the CEO & Co-Founder of Overture 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 education and technology, Aspen co-founded Overture to bridge the gap between how kids naturally learn through play and the future-ready skills schools want to teach—starting with AI literacy, creativity, and collaboration.
Steven Jiang
COO & Co-Founder
Steven Jiang is the COO & Co-Founder of Overture, 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 AI literacy and creative learning so students can build confidence with the tools shaping their world.
Overture's curriculum is designed in partnership with educators and researchers from Northwestern University, University of Chicago, NYU, and more. Every game, every lesson, and every reward system is built on one principle: AI literacy and music education should be joyful, social, and safe—so every student can learn to create with technology, not just consume it. (Our music composition content is developed with support from partners like ASCAP.)
Our Impact
What's Happening in Our Classrooms
"Omg. Omg. Look what I made, that's so cool!"
"I told all my friends to sign up for the next one. I can't live without this class."
Our Mission
"Teaching students AGENCY over technology"
We do that through Hands-on Creative Programs that help students become confident creators, critical thinkers, and collaborators—ready for what’s next.
Ready to Bring Creative Programs to Your School?
Whether you're a parent looking for programs or a school administrator interested in partnering with us, we'd love to help you bring creative programs and enrichment right after school.