Give In-School Music Classes to Los Angeles Youth

The 2020-21 school year began the milestone 15th year of programming for Education Through Music-Los Angeles (ETM-LA). Even amid the pandemic, ETM-LA is continuing to provide sequential, weekly instruction to approximately 19,000 students in 46 schools across L.A. County through distance learning this Fall semester.

Renata, a first-year orchestra student, started playing cello after her older brother Rogelio (ETM-LA Alumnus) sparked her interest in learning music. Renata shares, “He plays and practices [violin] a lot, and I like going to his classes and recitals. I think it had a big influence because I wanted to be part of playing an instrument. Sometimes we even play together.” Renata enjoys learning music so much that even after the school year ended, she enrolled in ETM-LA’s virtual Summer Strings Program to continue practicing her instrument. She also finds playing music “really relaxing… it calms me down a lot.”  

In August, ETM-LA’s dedicated teachers came together virtually for the annual week-long intensive Summer Music Teacher Training Institute. They explored culturally responsive teaching methods and attended courses including Engaging Students Virtually, Social & Emotional Learning through Music, Movement-Based Activities, Making Connections across the Curriculum, and more.   

“It was inspiring to see such a well-executed virtual lesson which actually used and took advantage of some of the perks of being virtual, rather than just being a facsimile of in-person instruction. Very engaging, educational, and inspiring!” – ETM-LA Teacher

At Education Through Music-Los Angeles, their deep and years-long work around Cultural Equity and Inclusion remains paramount to best serving the diverse students and communities of L.A. County. Trainings are ongoing with administrative staff and music teachers, with recent workshop topics including Building Bridges of Unity, The Evolution of Black Music, and Ethical Song Research. ETM-LA is honored to do this work, most especially offering key tools to support teachers in their research, reflection, and exploration of ways to further ensure culturally responsive classrooms for the communities with whom the organization engages.

Following this year’s Training Institute, one music teacher shared, “I appreciate the advice and guidance ETM-LA offers as we’re all aiming to give the students the music education they deserve despite the difficult circumstances.”

ETM-LA proudly offers over 100 hours of exceptional training for music educators and over 420 combined hours of guidance for schools across Los Angeles County in their commitment to building long-term sustainable music programs.

Your support will help ETM-LA continue bringing the hope and joy of music to students like Renata, and help close the gap for under-resourced schools that remain deprived of core curriculum, yearlong music and arts programs. ETM-LA is unwavering in its mission of standing alongside low-income area schools and ensuring equity and access to quality music education through these challenging times, which is when the joy of music is needed more than ever before.

Thank you to those who have generously given to help provide important music education services to under-resourced schools, and to students like Renata!

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 to serve approximately 19,000 students at 46 partner schools in Los Angeles County.

Links:

• ETM-LA Website

Even amidst these uncertain times, Education Through Music-Los Angeles remains resolute and unwavering in our commitment to provide high-quality music instruction to disadvantaged, low-income students across Los Angeles. Nearly one hundred students from ETM-LA partner schools enrolled in the two-week Virtual Summer Program where they enjoyed learning and fun while participating daily in virtual strings ensemble, band, or general music and vocal instruction courses.

Each day began with a “Health and Wellness Through Music” session led by Music Teacher and Therapy Specialist Ricardo Hurtado, during which students shared their feelings, performed movement exercises, and learned ways to stay healthy during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The students then continued onto their specialized classes, which ranged from playing the blues to playing Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” as well as music theory, conducting technique, and songwriting using Soundtrap and GarageBand.

The students eagerly learned how to play new instruments and expanded their skills on their current instruments. They were especially glad to have the opportunity to see their friends and classmates again, even if it was virtually. Student Ethan said, "I like that I can be in a band with my friends who are also playing different instruments. It's like we are on a team!" Audrey from Castelar Elementary added, “Playing music makes me feel happy, relaxed, and excited. My favorite part about summer program is playing different instruments and genres of music."

Special guests made surprise appearances throughout the two weeks, including Harpist Gayle Levant, who has played and recorded with major artists including Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Barbra Streisand, and Stevie Wonder, and on hundreds of film and TV projects. Levant shared stories about her illustrious career. When student Ingrid asked if she ever felt nervous when meeting a celebrity, Levant replied only once, “during a recording session with Frank Sinatra, but only because the harp hadn’t arrived at the studio on time!” She also offered advice to the students: “Love what you do, then it will never be work.”

Parents, siblings, and even pets excitedly joined in on the fun at home too! Sally, an ETM-LA parent, shared: “With the stay-at-home orders, they haven't had much engagement... This class gave [the students] a fun, interactive, and educational opportunity to express themselves through communication, music, and dance. We wish it could be all summer!”

The Virtual Summer Program came on the heels of ETM-LA’s 10^th Annual Music Unites the World Festival, which premiered on Facebook and YouTube. The virtual festival showcased the power of music and community to bring people together from across the globe. Co-hosted by Actor/Musician Ricardo Hurtado (Nickelodeon’s School of Rock; Netflix’s Malibu Rescue) and Singer/Actress Bridget Barrera (Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place; ABC’s Cristela), festival highlights included interactive music activities — such as a class led by Percussionist Arthur Thompson (Dave Koz) — heartfelt student readings of personal essays, and first-ever ETM-LA virtual choir and instrumental performances.

This past school year, ETM-LA pivoted to provide distance learning instruction and resources to approximately 17,500 students across LA County. In our upcoming 15^th year of programming, your support will help ETM-LA continue closing the gap for low-income area schools that remain deprived of in-school, yearlong music and arts programs. We are standing alongside our schools through this difficult time, and we are more resolved than ever in our mission to support equity and access in providing quality music education.

Thank you to those who have generously given to help provide important music education services to disadvantaged schools, and to students like Ethan, Audrey, and Ingrid!

ETM-LA provides quality, yearlong, in-school music instruction in disadvantaged Los Angeles schools as part of the core curriculum for every child. Since its founding in 2006, ETM-LA has grown to serve approximately 17,500 students at 42 partner schools in Los Angeles County.