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