Give In-School Music Classes to Los Angeles Youth

Thank you for your commitment to providing equity and access to high-quality music education in under-resourced schools across Los Angeles County. Because of your generosity, Annika, a fifth grade Orchestra Student, is discovering her purpose and sense of self. She shares:

“I really like playing the cello because it makes me feel like me. Learning music makes me feel really good and it tells me that I need to relax...it makes me feel better. When I was [younger] I would always listen to music and my mom would sing to me. Everyone has something to give to the world, and for me, it’s music.”

Music plays a big part in shaping Annika’s identity. Through Education Through Music-Los Angeles’s (ETM-LA) music program at her school, Annika has the opportunity to explore, grow, and take pride in her work. She was also able to participate in ETM-LA’s 15th Annual Music Unites the World Festival (MUWF) in March, which promotes unity among Los Angeles school communities from across the globe.

Held at the historic Saban Theater in Beverly Hills, student ensembles received coaching and encouragement from renowned artists and educators. Each day, the ensembles diligently prepared culturally diverse repertoire for their culminating festival concerts. During his keynote message to the kids, Angel Velez (Conductor & Orchestrator, Star Wars: The Clone Wars; ETM-LA Associates Board Member) shared, “Music has taught me one of the biggest things and it’s how to explore, and with music I get to explore all the time.” The culminating concerts brought together over 1,200 ETM-LA partner school students, friends, family, and community members.

Our students and teachers are also working hard to prepare and perform their Spring Concerts. These events give students an opportunity to showcase their learning and strengthen a sense of community within the school, nurturing support for music education. ETM-LA surveys this 2024-25 school year indicate that 98%of parents at our partner schools believe music education is important for their school community. 

Every child deserves the right to music in school. Because of your support, we plan to expand our program to four new school communities this fall and bolster our Music Teacher Intern graduation rate by an increased 60% to strengthen LA County’s teacher pipeline. 

Thank you for your belief in our mission to ensure that all children have hope for a brighter future through music.