Gold Star Feature: Ari O’Neal of Levine School of Music

As part of THEARC’s 20th-anniversary celebration, we’re spotlighting alumni from our partners and programs who have gone on to do incredible things.

Ari O’Neal grew up in Temple Hills, Maryland, and first stepped into THEARC as a student at Levine School of Music — one of our long-standing partners committed to providing high-quality music education to students of all backgrounds. Through Levine, she honed her guitar skills, worked behind the scenes in administration, and balanced multiple jobs and performances to pursue her musical dreams.

With Levine’s training and her own relentless dedication, Ari’s talent quickly gained recognition. She went from playing in local DMV bands to landing the opportunity of a lifetime—performing at Coachella with Beyoncé. That moment catapulted her career, leading to collaborations with major artists like Ariana Grande, Ice Cube, Normani, and most recently, SZA.

“The Levine School of Music has always been a very nurturing environment. Everything they exposed me to prepared me for the stages I’m on now. I am forever grateful to them for all they’ve done for me.” — Ari O’Neal

Check out these photos of Ari performing with SZA above and follow her musical journey on Instagram: @_arioneal.

Click here for more information about AfterDark@THEARC 2025, at which we’ll celebrate 20 years of THERAC’s impact and the next 20 years of transformation!