Victoria Lanier
ETM-LA Executive Director
LOS ANGELES, CA – Moving to California in the early 2000’s after several years teaching music in under-resourced New York City schools for the non-profit organization Education Through Music (ETM), I was hard-pressed to find programs hiring music teachers in schools. Funding for music and arts education had been on a steady decline (many cited the impetus as being Prop 13 in 1978). Schools and administrators struggled to build self-sustaining, school-wide music programming. Public morale for music in schools was at an all-time low, and student participation in music in public schools was seeing unprecedented declines, the largest of any academic subject area (The Sound of Silence, Quadrant Research, 2004).
With a small but passionate group who believed in the power of music, I founded Education Through Music-Los Angeles (ETM-LA) as the first independent affiliate of ETM in July 2006. Our mission was, and remains, to further equity and access for all students in under-resourced schools to receive quality, comprehensive music education.
Having taught music in marginalized communities, I saw first-hand how music levels the playing field for the most vulnerable students – giving them hope, joy, and sense of belonging. My own journey as a music student in public schools and the support I received as a young teacher ignited the spark that shaped my lifelong career in music education.
Access to quality music education for all children should be non-negotiable. Yet, program fragmentation and threats to the arts and music education continue to exist. ETM-LA presents a multi-faceted solution to support cohesive, yearlong comprehensive music education as a core subject for every student in under-resourced schools. We began in just two schools reaching 800 children: St. Sebastian School on the Westside and Castelar Elementary in Chinatown. Today, 20 years later, ETM-LA reaches over 18,000 students across 41 schools and five school districts annually. To date, we’ve impacted over 150,000 children with music education. Our work is built on four key pillars:
1) Deliver yearlong, sequential, culturally responsive music instruction, along with curriculum, instruments, & resources.
2) Recruit, train, support, and place music teachers & teaching interns.
3) Provide ongoing professional development for music educators & classroom teachers.
4) Support schools and districts in building sustainable music programs.
As I reflect on our growth these past two decades, salient feelings of gratitude, joy, care, community, and connection arise. Whether seen or behind the scenes, countless individuals have contributed their time, energy, expertise, and dedication in service of our mission. I am humbled and honored by the countless acts of kindness from so many – team members, board, associates board, music teachers, leaders, parents, artists, champions, students, volunteers, partners, community advocates, and many more.
From ETM-LA’s 10th Year milestone, this excerpt still resonates today:
As students and stakeholders share stories of how music has impacted their lives, we see a universal theme – transformation.
Melvin developed a motivation for learning and excitement for school through playing the clarinet, turning around his grades to receive the top academic achievement award. Alberto learned to be more responsible through joining the band and practicing his flute while attaining self-confidence and the ability to express himself. Amelia gained life skills through playing the violin and ukulele, including becoming a better listener and learning to challenge herself.
The transformation goes beyond the individual. We see the power of music transform entire school communities as a rich culture of holistic learning, appreciation for the arts, and innovation emerges. Its undeniable effect can be seen as we step onto Foster Elementary’s campus in Compton and hear musical sounds emanate from classrooms with the bustling of creative games and activities; parents participate in musical productions, and class teachers volunteer time and energy to advocate music for their students. (August 2015)
I invite you to read the stories of transformation which continue to show our impact today. For the next 20 years and for as long as it takes, ETM-LA remains resolute in our mission. We will continue to come alongside our communities in ensuring sequential and comprehensive music education as a right for all students, regardless of background. Schools must continue to be safe places where care, self-confidence, connection, creativity, cultural inclusivity, and community abound freely. ETM-LA stands hopeful that our impact and the transformative benefits of learning music will be amplified for generations to come.
It is truly the collective hands, hearts, and minds of our dedicated Education Through Music-LA family and communities that have brought us to this point. The Power of “We” is what sustains us – and what will guide us into our journey these next 20 years and beyond.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Katie Moskovciak
Phone: (818) 433-7600
Email: press@etmla.org
Website: www.etmla.org
Photo Credits (in order of appearance: Eardog Foto/Kimberly Wang, Xina Yee for ETM-LA, Tonya Hylton for ETM-LA)
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Education Through Music-Los Angeles is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to provide and promote music in under-resourced schools as part of the core curriculum for every child in order to enhance students’ academic achievement, creativity, and overall development.
For more information: www.etmla.org