By Victoria Lanier | Executive Director
This 11th year, Education Through Music-Los Angeles is so grateful to be reaching new milestones in our programming – thanks to you. In addition to reaching over 12,000 students across Los Angeles with music education each week in school, we have grown our team to include over 30 educators, 9 administrative staff, and over 100 volunteers.
We were grateful to host our 11th Annual Benefit Gala this past December, honoring ETM-LA Advisory Board Member and Actor/Musician Ed Helms, along with Veteran Music Educator Richard Meyer. Both of these Shining Star Honorees are individuals whose contributions through music have changed our lives. “The gap in education opportunities in different communities is one of the great social injustices, and Education Through Music-LA plugs right into that in a very smart and critical way,” said Helms. “Music has impact. And ETM-LA is a force-multiplier for that impact. [They] put teachers back in the schools, provide a curriculum, [and] provide resources.”
Over 60 students performed, including 5th Grader Verlaine self-identifies herself as someone who oftentimes feels stressed at school, especially when she feels judged or is being tested. However, she shared that music has helped her cope with her emotions. “Sometimes when I'm mad or when I don't do well on a test, music calms me down.” Verlaine has been learning the violin through the Education Through Music-LA program at her school, and cites that learning music helps her. "I like doing music because most of the music I'm learning is happy and joyful; I like to share it with other people to make them happy. What I love most about music class is that I get to make new friends, and I get better and better at learning the violin.” When Verlaine grows up, she says, she “wants to be a lot of things.” The story of 5th Grader Verlaine represents those of countless students across Los Angeles.
We are seeing the impact of music on a daily basis at our schools and communities, and again thank you for coming alongside our mission.
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