Finding a rhythm of their own

The winner of the 2026 MLB and Mastercard Small Business Contest is helping neurodiverse students discover the power of music.

Shana Pistilli, founder of Rubato School of Music, shares her vision for helping more neurodiverse and special-needs students find confidence and connection through music at the 2026 MLB and Mastercard Small Business Contest.

Lisa Fields

Contributor

Growing up in suburban Philadelphia, Shana Pistilli watched with mounting frustration as her neurodiverse and special-needs classmates were excluded from activities she loved.

“I was always hyper-aware of the [neurodiverse kids] when I was in high school and them not even having the chance to try out for things,” Pistilli says. “I had the ability to sign up for soccer, no questions asked. Sign up for drum lessons, no questions asked.”

That indignation — and her passion for music — led to a strong belief that any child who wants to play a musical instrument should be given the opportunity to learn. After obtaining a master’s degree in music education with an autism concentration from Boston Conservatory at Berklee, she began teaching instrumental music full-time at two public elementary schools in the Philadelphia area.

Then in 2022, she took her mission even further and founded Rubato School of Music, which aims to make music accessible to neurodivergent and special-needs learners.

Pistilli initially drove to students’ homes for one-on-one lessons but soon moved her music school into a 200-square-foot studio in Media, Pennsylvania. As her business grew, she hired an additional teacher and moved to an even larger space.

Currently, 100 neurodiverse and special-needs musicians attend the school’s private lessons and group classes. Through music, many of her students find their voices and build self-confidence by interacting with peers and performing at school recitals.

“People come to us because we are welcoming, we are safe, we are sensory-aware,” Pistilli says. “Our environment is calm and warm, and we speak to the children like any other child, because they’re just there to learn the music, and that’s it. And parents really appreciate that.”

Now, she’s ready to expand again, but this time, with an assist from Mastercard and Major League Baseball.

Pistilli throws out the opening pitch at the All-Star Game in Philadelphia Thursday night.

On July 10, Pistilli won the 2026 MLB and Mastercard Small Business Contest for local entrepreneurs, part of an annual event held during MLB All-Star Week to bring small business owners together to connect, collaborate and learn about resources and opportunities to help their businesses.

She was one of two finalists who pitched their business plans before a panel of judges, "Shark Tank"-style, at the event. As the contest winner, Pistilli received a $10,000 grant from Mastercard — and she threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Both finalists will have access to mentorship and additional resources from Mastercard to help their businesses grow.

“Entrepreneurs like Shana are the heart of their communities, making an impact inside and outside the four walls of their business,” says Ginger Siegel, the small and medium business lead for Mastercard North America. “As we mark 10 years as the presenting sponsor of the MLB All-Star Game, we’re honored to help create meaningful moments with these Philadelphia all-stars and find new opportunities for them to deepen their impact.”

Pistilli plans to use the grant money to expand the impact of her music studio by hiring another teacher and adding a third classroom. With that in place, she’ll be able to register another 50 students for music lessons and group classes.

I’m working all day, but I’m playing music. I’m hanging out with some awesome kids. It’s tiring, but it’s rewarding. It brings me so much joy.

Shana Pistilli

Hiring someone is a time-intensive process for Pistilli, who spends two months training the new teacher in the multi-sensory teaching method she created, such as employing a color-coded notation system and creating sensory-aware environments. The Mastercard grant will help her manage costs associated with the onboarding and training.

“I’m going to be able to help so many more students and families,” Pistilli says. “I have data and backup that what I’m doing is proven to be working and to be impactful and to be something that people need.”

On a typical weekday, Pistilli wakes up, commutes to her day job and teaches elementary-school students until 3:30 p.m. She then drives to the Rubato School and starts teaching students by 4:30. At 8 p.m., after her last student leaves, she heads home, picks up dinner and finally eats around 9 p.m.

“I hang out with my cat, maybe watch one episode of a show and get to bed so I can do it all again the next day,” she says. “I’m working all day, but I’m playing music. I’m hanging out with some awesome kids. It’s tiring, but it’s rewarding. It brings me so much joy.”

Rubato School of Music founder Shana Pistilli is using a $10,000 grant from Mastercard to create opportunities for more neurodiverse and special-needs students via music education.