The winning tune: Music school awarded $10K prize

PHILADELPHIA -- Before delivering her final pitch to judges and attendees at the MLB All-Star Small Business Luncheon at Citizens Bank Park, Shana Pistilli, founder and executive director of the Rubato School of Music and winner of the 2026 MLB & Mastercard Small Business Contest, wanted to talk about one of her students: Alastor Thomas.

Thomas joined the school when he was four years old with limited verbal communication. During one lesson, Pistilli wanted him to switch from drums to guitar, but he repeatedly pressed the “drum” button on a communication device, making it clear what he wanted to play.

To Pistilli, on that day music became part of his voice.

“That was the changing point for a lot,” Pistilli said. “I realized that what I was doing was not only important, fun and amazing, but that it was an avenue for someone’s voice to grow as well as their physical release.”

That mission helped Pistilli win the small business contest during Friday's luncheon. Pistilli was selected from 119 applicants to win the grand prize: a $10,000 small business grant, mentorship from Mastercard and the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Tuesday's All-Star Game.

The competition featured two local finalists presenting their businesses to a panel of judges representing MLB, the Phillies and Mastercard, including: Maverick Palabasan, MLB’s senior manager of social impact; Kenny Johnson, the Phillies’ manager of community engagement; and Amber Dawkins, Mastercard’s vice president of product management for North America small business.

Held during MLB All-Star Week, in addition to the contest, the annual event serves to bring small business owners together to connect, collaborate and learn about resources and opportunities to help their businesses grow.

Rubato, founded in 2022, began as a 200-square-foot studio but has grown in the time since -- all while maintaining a 98% student retention rate. Pistilli plans to use the grant to build a third teaching room, hire another instructor and expand enrollment by creating 40-70 additional lesson openings for Philadelphia families.

“It’s about the importance of opening up activities to all kids, regardless of ability,” Pistilli said. “The world we are living in is not always the kindest, especially to people that are a little bit different.”

She first developed her teaching system while working as an elementary band director in the Ridley School District to help students with individualized education programs (IEPs) participate alongside their peers. She continues to apply the method at Woodland Elementary School and Amosland Elementary School, while also adapting it for students at Rubato.

Students begin working with color-coded sheet music and piano keys, helping them connect what they see with what they play. As their confidence grows, Pistilli gradually removes the color cues until they are able to read traditional music notation independently.

"It gets kids playing music sooner, so they don't get discouraged," Pistilli said. "The second a kid gets discouraged, especially in the beginning moments of learning music, they're out. Because of this, they're playing their favorite song by the second or third lesson, and they realize, 'I can actually do this.'"

That impact on kids -- and the community as a whole -- is why Dawkins believes that when small businesses win, everyone wins.

"It's not only about providing a $10,000 grant, but also access to education, resources and tools that support their growth,” Dawkins said.

Pistilli's business stood out because it creates opportunities for children of all abilities while meeting a growing need for inclusive spaces.

"The need for inclusive environments is so critical," Dawkins said, who has a neurodivergent daughter with autism. "So the fact that [Pistilli] is doing this to create an environment where families and children, no matter how they learn, can really love music and be a part of that community is fantastic.”

Thomas is the greatest testament to the impact Pistilli has on the lives of her students. Years after that first moment of communication through music, he continues to welcome learning and find joy -- including jamming out to his favorite soundtrack (Moana 2).