Give In-School Music Classes to Los Angeles Youth

“Music sparks my mind and has made me stronger”                                                                                                       - Celeste, 5th Grader 

Every spring, Education Through Music-Los Angeles (ETM-LA) hosts the Snacks & Sound Series which represent a significant milestone for ETM-LA’s beginner students in instrumental and vocal ensembles as they perform for the first time, showcasing their musical learning in front of a live audience. This season of open rehearsals and ensemble presentations across our partner schools includes: Bagels with the Band, Cookies with the Choir, Oranges with Orff, Snack Attack with Modern Band, and Sweets with Strings. 

During performances, ensemble directors (ETM-LA Music Teachers) connect with parents and guardians, building advocacy and providing guidance on how to support their child’s musical journey. ETM-LA Music Teacher Terri Walsh emphasizes the events’ impact on connecting families with their children’s education: “[When] families know what their children are learning in choir, it helps connect them and they can really see how much focus, effort, and fun goes into the choir rehearsal and program.” 

5th Grader Celeste, a choir student of Mrs. Walsh, experiences joy and transformation through music: “I look forward to going to school every day, just for choir class. Music changed my life because it made me realize music is a way to let out my emotions. Music makes me feel free, calm, and like I can come out of my shell.”

Celeste’s mom recognizes the deep importance of music education for her daughter. “Since Celeste started choir, she is feeling empowered by her teacher and peers to speak up, stand out, and sing! It’s programs like ETM-LA and teachers like Mrs. Walsh who positively impact the lives of young children at a time when they are so impressionable.”

“I know music can help others if they just had access to a music class and teacher like mine.”  - Celeste

Your support has helped ETM-LA achieve milestones to date:

• The majority of our Interns graduated to join our Music Teaching faculty this year.
• Three (3) of our Compton partner schools graduated from ETM-LA’s model, proudly hiring on our teachers full-time and sustaining their own music programs.

Because of your unwavering support, students like Celeste receive the life-changing benefits of music education. During “Cookies with the Choir”, parents/guardians demonstrated gratitude for the chance to be part of their child’s musical experience and walk away with a deeper appreciation for music education. Mrs. Walsh shares, “It was evident that a bond was happening during this special time.” Through these ensemble performances, ETM-LA furthers its mission of providing high-quality music education while nurturing the next generation and fostering a lifelong love of music.

THANK YOU for your support of our mission to ensure that children like Celeste have hope for a brighter future through music. We could not do this vital work without you!

Links:

• Read more about ETM-LA's Snacks and Sound Series
• Meet ETM-LA's Music Teachers
• Advocate for Music Education