Give In-School Music Classes to Los Angeles Youth

Eduardo, who attends ETM-LA partner school McKinley Elementary in Compton, is the first student in the Compton Unified School District to be nominated and accepted into the GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) program through VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts).

Through music class, Eduardo has discovered his talent and true passion; his goal is to be a musician when he grows up. “I like music class because I get to get together with my friends and play music,” he expressed. Eduardo’s music teacher, ETM-LA’s Naju Kim, noted, “Having worked with Eduardo for the past few years, he has shown a clear interest in guitar and music. He would always come to band rehearsal playing the new song he was learning that week, some being pretty technically impressive.”

Eduardo shared that his teachers encouraged him to try out for the GATE program and “give [himself] an opportunity.” Mr. Kim explained, “I worked with him individually to prepare two pieces for him to perform on electric guitar. With his dedication and love of the instrument, he was able to pass the final audition with flying colors and I am super proud of him.”

Learning music has had a huge impact on Eduardo’s life, both academically and personally. It has helped him communicate with others, and furthermore, Eduardo confides that, “Music class has changed my life.”

Education Through Music-Los Angeles is in its 14^th year of programming, and your support will go a long way toward helping us expand our reach to bring the gift of in-school music education to more underserved students across Los Angeles County. In 2019-2020, we are planning to serve quality sequential music education to 42 schools and 17,500 children across six Los Angeles County districts. Your contribution will also help us offer over 100 hours of top-notch training for music educators and over 420 combined hours of guidance for schools across Los Angeles in our commitment to helping every school create a long-term sustainable music program. 

In the words of Eduardo, “Every student deserves a chance to learn an instrument.”

Thank you to those who have generously given to help provide important music education services to disadvantaged schools, and to students like Eduardo.

Links:

• ETM-LA Website