Give In-School Music Classes to Los Angeles Youth

Playing the Violin Strengthens Joshua’s Focus 

In a recent essay, 6th Grader Joshua explained the physiological effect music has on people. He wrote, “People may feel uneasy or stressed out at times and studies have shown that music can severely reduce stress in the body. As people play their instruments, their unpleasant energy transfers into a more positive energy, as a result reducing the heart rate that leads to stress.”

This bright young student uses music to de-stress and to relax. Joshua shared “Music is important to me because after school – after studying and doing homework – I can just relax to music and enjoy it.” As a violinist, he also explained how the intricacies of playing an instrument helps strengthen his focus. Joshua’s mom added, “Studying music is vital for Joshua and all students because music helps children strengthen their communication, math, and problem-solving skills and helps children to focus and to develop teamwork.” 

Joshua has experienced the benefits of music education, and he will carry these skills with him for the rest of his life, no matter what his future holds. Joshua shared, “Music makes me feel happy because there are so many ways of expressing yourself with music.”

Joshua’s mom confided, “I have been yearning for my children to play an instrument. As we have limited time and resources, learning to play instruments was considered a luxury. But Joshua and his older sister, Abellaine, are playing violin thanks to ETM-LA. From the depths of my heart, thank you to ETM-LA teachers and staff for all your dedication and hard work.”

Summer Academy for the New School Year

In August, our dedicated teachers and local educators came together in person for Education Through Music-LA’s intensive week-long Summer Academy. Participants explored culturally relevant and diverse strategies for teaching music in under-resourced communities, best practices in classroom management and procedures, student engagement, curriculum design, and more. Teachers and staff alike were excited to reunite and dive into preparing for the new school year!

Guest presenters Dr. Ric Alviso (Ethnomusicologist/ Composer; Santa Monica College; CA State University, Northridge) and Keith Terry (Percussionist/ Rhythm Dancer/ Educator; UCLA; Founding Director, Crosspulse) led workshops covering a wide range of topics along with ETM-LA’s Program Department and Faculty.

ETM-LA believes in continually amplifying the voices of our students and communities. Therefore, Cultural Equity and Inclusion (CEI), Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT), and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) remain paramount in our ongoing practices and training. The Academy featured workshops on Multicultural Music Exploration, Using CRT and SEL as Building Blocks to Classroom Success, Getting to Know Your Community, and more topics – offering key tools to help teachers more deeply research, reflect upon, and explore ways to build cultural, authentic connections.

After intimate round-table discussions with local district leaders, school psychologists, and experts in social services, one music teacher shared: “Each table addressed a very intimidating aspect of teaching and I feel much more confident in my ability to navigate those situations. I’m also very grateful to have those connections and support systems in place if I need help.”

Other feedback from participants included: “[It was] very helpful to see the direct relationships between grade level and the objectives and ideal teaching methods for each age group.” And when asked what the most invaluable takeaway was, one member responded, “Everything!”

ETM-LA looks forward to continuing this vital work during the 2022-23 school year!

Links:

• ETM-LA Website
• Joshua's Spotlight Video

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent traumatic events have been devastating, including a significant decline in students’ mental well-being. According to the article, “Children’s mental health is in crisis” (American Psychological Association; survey by the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago) 71% of parents say the pandemic had taken a toll on their child’s mental health.

5th Grader Odilia believes in the power of music. In her award-winning essay for ETM-LA’s 12th Annual Music Unites the World Festival, she writes: “Music can help you go through bad times while you are sad or just feeling down…you can relate to special songs that motivate you.” She notes that “when you’re motivated, you can overcome many challenges.”

Throughout this challenging time, your generosity keeps students like Odilia motivated and happier. Music has played an instrumental role in building Odilia’s own strength and resilience. “Music helps me get through tough and challenging times… I feel better, calmer, and happier. Music makes me feel happy and motivated to try harder and be a better person.” Odilia’s mom adds that music is “soothing” to her daughter. “It helps her have a better mood, and it gives her encouragement.”

“In my future, I want to be a business owner,” Odilia proudly states. In the meantime, she finds joy in her choir class: “I love my music teacher and being able to have fun with music with my friends.”

Odilia’s mom recognizes the importance of music education. “[It] improves learning skills, communication, creativity, and more for Odilia and all students. Studying music helps grow a strong mindset full of positivity, respect, discipline, and intelligence.” Odilia shares, “[I] feel lucky to have a music class, and it makes me feel sad for those who don’t get to experience music.”

Because of your unwavering support, students like Odilia are provided with the life-changing benefits of music education. And you have help nurture these additional milestones:

• 95% of ETM-LA partner school teachers believe music education should be offered as part of the core curriculum (most recent external evaluation).
• Teachers reported a 40% increase in student engagement at ETM-LA partner schools, compared to only 7% in other schools receiving no or intermittent music programming.
• In April, ETM-LA & ETM National’s partnership with NBCUniversal & Illumination/Sing 2 won “Outstanding Collaboration Honoree” at the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Nonprofit and Corporate Citizenship Awards.

ETM-LA provides quality, yearlong, core curriculum music instruction in under-resourced Los Angeles schools as part of the school day for every child. Since its founding in 2006, ETM-LA has grown from 2 schools and 800 students to reaching approximately 18,500 students at 42 schools in 2021-2022.

Thank you to those who have generously given to help provide long-term, sustainable music education programs and provide equal opportunities to ensure that children like Odilia have hope for a brighter future through music.

Links:

• ETM-LA Website
• Odilia's Spotlight
• Why Music Education?