Who We Are
The power of music is shown to improve social-emotional wellness, motivation for school, connection to peers, and self-confidence.
Mission
Education Through Music-Los Angeles (ETM-LA) partners with under-resourced schools to provide music as a core subject for all children and utilizes music education as a catalyst to improve academic achievement, motivation for school, and self-confidence.
Vision
Education Through Music-Los Angeles believes that every child deserves access to high-quality music education, taught by qualified and well-trained music teachers. Music can support learning in other key subjects, including math, science and language arts. Engaged parents and school communities are key to the success of students.
Where it all began...
As an East Coast native, founding Executive Director Victoria Lanier had worked extensively as a music educator and violin instructor for inner-city New York programs including ETM®, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Institute Seminar, and a Harlem-based foster youth program. Upon moving to Los Angeles, Lanier became immersed in the music scene and witnessed firsthand the lack of equitable in-school music education among historically marginalized Los Angeles communities. She founded Education Through Music-Los Angeles (ETM-LA), the first independent 501(c)3 nonprofit to bring the ETM® model and its benefits to Los Angeles youth. ETM-LA began programming in 2 schools reaching 800 students its first year to a planned 43 schools reaching approximately 18,000 students this 20th year.
In 20 Years, ETM-LA has achieved...
Where we are now
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 we 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. For the next 20 years and for as long as it takes, ETM-LA remains resolute in our mission. We will continue to…