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We live in a world where education often feels rigid and uninspiring. Aspen Buckingham and his team at Overture Games are reimagining the way K-12 students learn through their approach to music education. 

Aspen’s love for games started early, and it wasn’t just about playing them—it was about creating them. “From board games to role-playing adventures, I was always immersed in crafting stories and worlds,” he shares.

This lifelong love for game design and storytelling sparked the idea behind Overture Games—a platform where music education and interactive play collide in the most engaging way possible.

Imagine Duolingo meets Guitar Hero. That’s the essence of Overture Games. Aspen set out to make music learning as addictive and enjoyable as a video game. A game-based STEAM curriculum for K–12. 

Their debut game, “Intervallic,” features Starburst, a character on a cosmic quest to solve musical challenges.  “We wanted to turn music education into a journey where kids are not just learning but having a great time,” he explains.

In a time when educational disparities are widening and student retention is declining, Overture Games offers a solution that captures the attention and imagination of students who might otherwise fall through the cracks.“Music has the power to enhance cognitive function and self-expression,” he notes. 

Initially, Overture Games aimed to tackle student disengagement both in classrooms and after-school programs. However, Aspen quickly realized that a more targeted strategy was needed. Overture Games refocused on afterschool programs, creating a game tailored to these environments.

Aspen Mentions Honors Fund’s support has been instrumental in their journey.“The startup world is full of learning curves, and their support has been invaluable.”

Aspen’s co-founder, Steven, has been a crucial team member and friend in this venture. They started at The Garage at Northwestern, where they realized they were both driven by the same vision.

Recently, Overture Games was featured on Entrepreneur.com’s “Elevator Pitch.” Looking ahead, they’re partnering with more locations in and around Chicago and expanding their platform to support a variety of instruments and devices, from Windows to iOS.

Overture Games is taking something that has always been a struggle for students and turning it into an adventure, a challenge, and a story worth playing. And in a world where engagement is everything, that’s the kind of change that sticks, and the change we’re excited to invest in. 

Learn more about Overture Games: www.overture.games