◈ Homepage — http://www.neighborhoodmusic.org/Tickets for our 2026 Legacy of Love Benefit are on sale now! Click here to purchase! Inspiring minds and enriching our community through music education. Current student ready to make a Payment? Start here! MAKE A PAYMENT Interested in becoming a student? Start here! REGISTRATION Interested in learning more and getting involved? Start here! JOIN OUR MAILING LIST Neighborhood Music School Neighborhood Music School believes that lives change through music. Founded in 1914, we provide low cost/high quality one-on-one music instruction to those who need it most. Located in a charming Victorian house in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, we are proud to serve as an anchor to our community, a bridge to cultural exchange and opportunity, and an usher to the mentorship between teacher and student that is integral in music instruction and in life. MUSIC INSTRUCTION We currently offer private instruction in piano, violin, viola, cello, percussion, guitar, trumpet, flute, clarinet, saxophone, ukulele and voice. However, classes for other instruments can be added on an as needed basis. As students become more proficient in expressing themselves through singing or playing an instrument, they gain poise and self-assurance. Research indicates that developing musical literacy skills reinforces or catalyzes success in academic performance. Overall, musical expression positively affects self-esteem, test-taking success, a better school performance and so much more. Our mission is to not only teach music, but to help our students develop the joys, wonders and skills that passively arise from a multi-faceted music education. COMMUNITY BUILDING Our Community is our core and our biggest strength. The Neighborhood Music School has been a gathering place for neighborhood residents for generations. In addition to music instruction, we open our doors to the community for movie nights, concerts, picnics, special events and field trips. We pride ourselves on being an artistic home to our community of students, teaching artists, families, alumni, and new friends. PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES Students have many performance opportunities . The last week of each month, each student participates in Showtime. Students and teachers gather in the parlor the last ten minutes of every half hour lesson to perform for each other informally. Through these monthly performances, students build confidence and gain valuable experience. Students who are ready also perform in four in-person Student Recitals and four Virtual Recitals each year. Students, teaching artists and ensemble classes are often invited to perform at community events throughout the year. OUR HOUSE The Victorian house in which the school educates is listed in “Architecture in Los Angeles” (Gebhard & Winter) as one of only two 19th-Century houses in the area. After the 1987 earthquake, the house was retrofitted and restored from the bottom to the top to its Victorian beauty, thanks to grants from eleven foundations and with the contribution of the contracting skills of Nicholas Akers, a music-lover and prize-winning restoration contractor in Pasadena. The two-story house holds eight practice rooms. Although each room is unique in its atmosphere, every one is furnished with a piano. Downstairs, the parlor doors open to the main room, allowing a space for recitals and showtimes throughout the year. There is limited parking available on the property for students and teachers during lesson times. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize 358 S BOYLE AVE LOS ANGELES, CA 90033 CONTACT US: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] ◈ Interior Pages — 32 pages crawledInstructional Videos — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks   Instructional Videos   Beginner Rhythm Exercise Teacher Logan leads us in a Beginner Rhythm Exercise with Quarter and Eighth Notes.   Chromatic Scale Teacher Jason demonstrates how to play the Chromatic Scale.   Breath Support Teacher Elisa leads you in breath support exercises.   Harmonic analysis Teacher Travis shares his method for harmonic analysis.   The circle of fifths Teacher Travis explains the Circle of Fifths.   2 Circle Composition How to compose a simple 2 circle song with Teacher Logan   Chords and Chord Symbols with teacher jason   Online Learning Positives Teacher Elisa tells us about some positives she found about online learning   Name that Tune! Can you guess what song Teacher Tany is playing?   Holding the Violin Teacher Travis demonstrates holding the violin with the left hand.   Stringing a violin In this short video, Teacher Travis Laughlin demonstrates how to string a violin.   Tuning a Violin Teacher Travis shares his technique for tuning a violin. Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Contact — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Contact About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Call or Visit   358 South Boyle Avenue Boyle Heights, Los Angeles 90033 (323) 268-0762 Monday – Friday: 12pm-8pm Saturday: 9am – 4pm Sunday: Closed   Email General Inquiries [email protected] Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Legacy Salons — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Join us on October 25th, from 3pm-5pm to help build our Community Altar to celebrate 111 years of NMS and for the 11/1 Dia De Muertos Community Block Party in Mariachi Plaza! Register here! NMS Legacy Salon: JAzz Era JAm Join us on the Porch at NMS as we play, explore, and consider the music, sensibilities, cultural impact and people who informed the first 20 years of the NMS Legacy. It’s free, fun, and costumes are encouraged! RSVP here NMS Legacy Salon: Honoring Briseyda Zarate July 26th 4pm-6pm at NMS Reserve your tickets here NMS Legacy Salon: Mark Guerrero May 24th, 2025 4pm-6pm Reserve your tickets today! Join us for a creative, inspiring, and insightful event featuring Mark Guerrero. As the son of Chicano musical legend Lalo Guerrero, and an influential musician in his own rite, Mark’s musical legacy has spanned decades, when he first started playing in bands at age 12. This is a great event for everyone interested in the rock and roll history and the East LA Sound. This is also a great co,panion piece for the upcoming exhibit at La Plaza de Cultura y artes, A Great Day in East LA: Celebrando the Eastside Sound . This Program is brought to you in partnership with the Boyle Heights Historical Society. Bio: Mark Guerrero began playing in rock & roll bands at age 12.  He led the popular East Los Angeles band Mark & the Escorts, who recorded two singles for GNP Crescendo Records.  His first record “Get Your Baby” has been on many compilation albums and appeared in the movie “Logan Lucky” in 2018.  Mark has also recorded as a solo artist for Ode Records (produced by rock & roll hall of famer Lou Adler), Capitol Records, and with his group Tango, for A&M Records.  His songs have been recorded by artists such as Herb Alpert, Trini Lopez, Chan Romero, and his late father, Lalo Guerrero, known as the “Father of Chicano music.”  Mark’s recording and lyric manuscript of his song “I’m Brown” was featured in the Grammy Museum in 2008 and 2022, in the exhibit “Songs of Conscience, Sounds of Freedom.”  In addition to his own concerts, Mark has performed with Redbone, Eric Burdon, Los Lobos, El Chicano, Tierra, Lalo Guerrero, Cannibal & the Headhunters Band, and many others.  He has performed in venues such as the Cavern in Liverpool, England, Cite de la Musique in Paris, France, and the Roxy Theater and Whiskey A Go Go in Hollywood.  As a Chicano and East L.A. music historian, Mark has written over a hundred articles, hosts a website, radio podcast (“Chicano Music Chronicles”), YouTube Zoom show (“East L.A. Music Stories”), and been a guest on radio and television programs, consulted for museums, and lectured at universities. Celebrate Community with us on March 29th!   We are Proud to celebrate our history, our music, and our future!  As a country of immigrants, we have built a community of vitality, culture, creativity, and togetherness. In 2025, Neighborhood Music School is celebrating our 111th year, and the best way to do this is together! Join us as we present the first Celebrate Community with our friends from Piano Spheres, LACHSA, and more with a day of celebrating the unique and important gifts our families and histories have shared throughout the years. Enjoy a masterclass and rhythm workshop with Piano Spheres Stein Resident Artist, Andres Jaramillo, Musical performances from NMS students, guest artists from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, Community Resources, Summer Classes and opportunities, and more. This event will also launch our monthly Salon Series to make music, connect resources, and celebrate community throughout the year! Please reserve free tickets below to let us know you will be there! Reserve your free tickets here! Did you know? Neighborhood Music School was started as a Settlement House, and a gift to connect our community in music and philanthropy. Carrie Stone Freeman started the school with a $1000 gift and a belief that music education can transform individuals and communities.   Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Legacy Salons — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons Have you wondered what kind of careers are influenced, enhanced and built by music? How to navigate your pathway there? What music careers look like, sound like, and the best ways to explore those options? NMS collaborates with organizations, musicians, and creative artists to share and explore the ins and outs of creative careers, The NMS Legacy Salon is an ongoing series of creative exchanges led by tose who have explored unique and purposeful careers in music and the creative sector. Since 2023, NMS has partnered with our friends at PianoSpheres to present a Master Classes with 2023 Leonard Stein Resident Artist William Chapman Nyaho , 2024 Leonard Stein Resident Artist Althea Waites, and 2025/2026 Leonard Stein Resident Artist Andres Jaramillo. Watch their Salons below! NMS students Jacob Joya Lazo, Jacob Lalin and Lauren Bondurant with William Chapman Nyaho after Nyaho’s beautiful master class on Feb 24th, 2023. Watch Episode One Here! August 20, 2021 Watch Episode Two Here! December 3, 2021 Watch Episode Three Here! March 14, 2022 Meet NMS Vocal and the Coro Artist, David Castillo! The Neighborhood Music School Teaching Faculty is proud of the exciting careers in music each of our faculty have built! We took some time to talk to David Castillo, Vocal Faculty, and leader of the Youth Coro, about his projects and inspirations! What do you teach at NMS and how long have you been teaching your instrument? I have been teaching voice since 2010 and, since 2022, I have been teaching voice at Neighborhood Music School. In early August, we created a new vocal group called the Coro and they have working on and performing music of many different genres. We started with around 2 people and now we have a very strong group of 7-8 singers. We keep growing, and it's exciting. Come join us! We’re still trying to figure out a great band name, feel free to send your suggestions. How did you get started? My family kept many photos and videos of baby David sitting in front the TV with a guitar and mic stand (I made from a shoebox and a wrapping paper rolls) singing along to Raffi videos.  I think my parents put me in piano lessons in Kindergarten and I switched to violin in first grade.  I am from New Orleans and I am very fortunate to have an aunt who is a music director at a local high school. She let me borrow any instrument I wanted to learn. I picked up the Alto Saxophone and Trumpet in second grade and decided to stick with the Trumpet through senior year of high school playing in the marching and jazz bands. When I was in 2nd grade, my aunt also recommended I join the new boy choir her colleague was forming.That’s where I started my formal voice training. We toured all over and even sang for Pope John Paul II in the Vatican. After that, I did musicals in middle school and high school. What motivates you now?  What motivates me every day are really great environments to make really great art with really great humans.  In the past several years, that has been an important realization and foundational approach to have the enjoyable and sustainable career I am grateful to have.  Where has music led you? Anywhere unexpected? Music has led me to many incredibly unexpected and wonderful places. I guess I thought I would have a career singing very traditional opera right out grad school, but the journey has taken me to every other avenue.  That has been exciting. I’ve sung in Paris, Italy, New Orleans, and New York (Lincoln Center and Off-Broadway).  In LA, I have sung as a soloist at Disney Hall with the LA Phil and Dudamel and with the LA Master Chorale and Grant Gershon. I have been a professional ensemble singer with the Master Chorale since 2013, which made that boychoir start come full circle.  I also didn’t know music would take me into the Hollywood worlds and I have sung on some really great movies, video games, and shows such as Encanto , Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker , Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War , and America’s Got Talent .  What are you most proud of that you bring to your students?   I am proud of my rather unconventional teaching style.   I am fortunate to have experience working in so many fields of music, production, and acting and to have had incredible guidance from coaches and teachers in all those areas.  I do my best to distill all that info into a practical and adventurous approach to voice.  We are all completely different humans, which means we all have completely different voices.  And, since we’re human, our bodies and voices constantly are changing.  I think that is the coolest part of singing.  I’m all about taking the time to devote constant exploration to discover what an individual or group’s “superpower” may be.  Once we begin to understand them, I think it is important to lean into that and celebrate them.   What are your words of advice for current students or potential students? Keep it fun, keep exploring! What do you have coming next? It’s an exciting November.  I’m singing on the new Black Panther: Wakanda Forever out in theatres November 11.   On Tuesday, November 29, I singing at Carnegie Hall performing the role of Jim in Eric Whitacre’s Christmas opera The Gift of the Magi . We debuted this piece in December 2019 with the LA Master Chorale and he wrote a new extended edition we will premiere in New York.  Will share more, when able! What is your favorite quote/piece of music/object of inspiration? “Breathe and Tell a Story.”  My teacher Phil always would say that in our lessons. Learning and performing music can feel so technical and complicated and chaotic, this phrase simplifies everything and gives purpose for doing what we do. Favorite piece of music…hard to say just one!  I constantly have The Marsalis Family, M.I.A., G Yamazawa, Vacación, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Paco de Lucía, Wayne Shorter, esperanza spalding, or Jamiroquai playing.  I’m all over the place. Favorite object of inspiration would have to be the entire Chef’s Table body of work on Netflix.  Each chef’s story is a masterclass in process and ownership of self.  I probably watched all the seasons over a dozen times.       Watch episode two here! Dec 3, 2021 Episode 2: Composers Meet composers Michael Giacchino and Camilo Lara as they discuss their journeys leading to producing, composing and scoring! NMS students Teaching Artists — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Teaching Artists Our teaching staff is composed of professional musicians and educators whose mentoring and inspirational teaching methods encourage students to strive for excellence in all that they do. Our teachers hold graduate and undergraduate degrees from institutions like Cal Arts, UCLA, USC, Stanford, Cal State LA, and other respected universities; many of them also maintain active careers as music educators, composers and performers. For these dedicated individuals, working at the Neighborhood Music School is an opportunity to practice their craft while serving as a mentor and model to generations of students at Neighborhood Music School. Zoom Lesson Anna Antonian – Violin, Viola, and Piano Anna Antonian completed graduate studies in music at the Institute of Fine Arts of the former Soviet Union. Anna played in Madrigal Orchestra for seven years touring different countries. Anna immigrated to the United States in 1992 and has been teaching Violin, Viola, and Piano since September 1997 here at Neighborhood Music School. Anna also works at Los Angeles Music and Art school in East Los Angeles as a Violin teacher. michael cooper, piano Community Band at art in the Park Logan is a music lover, multi-instrumental musician, music teacher, and composer based in Los Angeles. He grew up in a musical family in Sacramento, then Salt Lake City, singing in church choirs and picking up instruments along the way including piano, drums, guitar, and flute. He found his passion in the 7th grade when he got his hands on an alto saxophone, which he studied throughout highschool and college.  He teaches woodwinds & directs ensembles at Neighborhood Music School including an all-ages, all-skill-levels Community Band at Hermon Park in partnership with Art in the Park.  He is an active member of the music community, performing and recording with a heaven's host of jazz, pop, and folk musicians including Similar Fashion, The Lucky Devils, and John Carroll Kirby. Slug Magazine called his music "an exhilarating and sugar-coated ride" and KFJC said his music "evoke(s) the joy of living in California and the joy of living in general."  Find his music at loganhone.com Jennifer Chun, cello, piano, violin Albert Gonzalez, Voice, trumpet Eric Johnson, Woodwinds Eric Johnson is a Los Angeles based woodwind instrumentalist, composer, and producer. He can be seen performing in local jazz venues as well as touring with soul and r&b group Thee Sinseers. While earning his masters in jazz and improvisational music from University of Nevada Reno, he was awarded a graduate teaching assistant position working with undergraduate jazz ensembles. Lenin Lugo, piano Caster Teoh – Trumpet and Trombone Hailing from Penang, Malaysia, Dr. Caster Teoh, serves as Principal Trumpet at Dream Orchestra of Los Angeles. Since coming to the United States, Caster has appeared in numerous orchestras, including the American Youth Symphony, Orange County Symphony, Santa Monica Symphony, Quad City Symphony, Cedar Rapids Opera, and West Coast Chamber Orchestra. While in college, he was one of the finalists in the Maia Quartet competition and was awarded outstanding Pi Kappa Lambda award in 2007. Caster has performed with many professional ensembles, including the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Brazilian Symphony Orchestra, National Orchestra of Malaysia, and the Kumamoto International Orchestra. During the summers, he has performed in many countries, including Brazil, Italy, Japan, Korea, Belgium, Taiwan, Australia, Thailand, and Canada. A doctoral graduate from the USC Thornton School of Music, Caster was inducted as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society in 2007 and 2013. Caster is a much sought after teacher of trumpet. His students have won numerous music awards, and been admitted to acclaimed universities such as University of Michigan and Eastman School of Music. Caster has been teaching at the Neighborhood Music School since 2015. Masatoshi Sato – Upright Bass Masatoshi Sato is a bass player, composer and educator.  As a child, he moved from Japan to Montreal, Canada, where he discovered Jazz. He was inspired by Charlie Haden at the Montreal Jazz Festival and moved to Los Angeles, California to study at California Institute of the Arts and was mentored by Charlie Haden, Darek Oles, and Peter Rofe from The Los Angeles Philharmonic. He's currently residing in Los Angeles area, performing, recording,  and educating young artists. Gerardo Morales – Guitar and drums Gerardo Morales was born and raised in East Los Angeles, he began playing guitar and drums at age 12. He was influenced by various styles of music, such as Classical, Latin, traditional Mexican Rancheras, 80s music, Hip Hop and Rock n’ Roll. Gerardo has toured and performed with Grammy award winning artists such as Ozomatli, Black Eyed Peas, Christina Aguilera, Kanye West and members of the Carlos Santana band. In 2012, he released his first album Morales.Lara’s Dreaming Awake . He has worked on films including Toy Story 3, Little Fockers, and Think Like a Man. Gerardo is one of the founding member of the band The Mighty Tears of Joy and is currently working with JME on his newest album. Gerardo earned his BFA at the Conservatorio Profesional De Música Cristóbal De Morales in Sevilla, Spain. He currently teaches guitar at Neighborhood Music School, Hollywood High School, and King Middle School. Gerardo is also an accomplished musician and producer who performs throughout the United States, Spain, and Latin America. He is an essential member of LA’s Subsuelo, and under his direction produces Flamenco, Latin, Hip Hop, R&B, and Pop shows throughout the country. Jason McNally – Piano Jason McNally has been teaching at the Neighborhood Music School for 10 years. Jason was born in Doylestown, PA and did undergraduate study at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Ohio. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Piano performance, Jason moved to Los Angeles and obtained his Master’s in Piano from the University of Southern California. In addition to teaching at NMS and privately, Jason works as a church organist and serves on the board of the Long Beach Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. erika salas, violin, mariachi Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. Rafael Liebich – Piano Brazilian-American pianist Rafael Liebich has earned degrees from the State University Work at NMS! — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Work at NMS!       Teaching Artist openings We are seeking skilled teaching artists to lead one on one mentorship in person and online, group classes through Outreach programming and the Ensemble Program, and opportunities to collaborate with fellow teaching artists, guest artists, and the NMS community through Concerts in the Parlor, special events and residencies. All Teaching Artist Positions are part-time and flexible. Neighborhood Music School is currently seeking Teaching Artists in the following disciplines: Violin/Viola/Cello Piano   Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Legacy of Love: Generations Benefit 2026 — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 May 28, 2026   Purchase tickets or Sponsorships here! View Sponsorhips packages here Neighborhood Music School Celebrates 112 Years with 2026 Legacy of Love Benefit Honoring Mark and Dan Guerrero Generations of Music, Impact, and Community to take place at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes on May 28, 2026 LOS ANGELES, CA — May 28, 2026 — Neighborhood Music School (NMS), Los Angeles’ oldest community music school, proudly celebrates its 112th year of service to the Boyle Heights community with its annual Legacy of Love Benefit: Generations of Music, Impact, and Community , to be held at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes . This year’s celebration honors the extraordinary legacy of brothers Dan Guerrero and Mark Guerrero , trailblazing artists with long and distinguished careers. Dan is an award-winning producer/director and Mark a successful singer/songwriter. Their work has shaped the music, arts, and creative industries while uplifting and amplifying the voices of their community. As the sons of legendary Chicano music pioneer Lalo Guerrero and Margaret Marmion Guerrero, Dan and Mark grew up immersed in a rich cultural and artistic heritage and have each forged influential careers defined by creativity, advocacy, and service. Through their artistry and leadership, the Guerrero brothers have advanced representation in the entertainment industry, built platforms for emerging voices, and carried forward a multigenerational commitment to cultural pride and community impact. In recognition of their individual achievements and their shared legacy, Neighborhood Music School will present them with the Legacy Award at this year’s benefit. “Dan and Mark Guerrero embody the power of the arts to transform lives and strengthen community across generations,” said Karen Louis, Executive Director of Neighborhood Music School . “Their lifelong dedication to cultural expression, storytelling, and access reflects the very heart of Neighborhood Music School’s mission. We are honored to celebrate their profound impact and to gather in a space that holds such deep historical and cultural significance for Los Angeles.” The Legacy of Love Benefit is NMS’s signature annual event, bringing together artists, educators, civic leaders, and community members to support equitable access to high-quality music education. Proceeds from the evening will sustain NMS programs that serve students and families across Boyle Heights and throughout Los Angeles County through in-school partnerships, after-school instruction, private lessons, ensembles, and tuition-free community offerings. Set against the vibrant backdrop of La Plaza de Cultura y Artes , the evening will celebrate more than a century of music, learning, and community connection while investing in the next generation of young musicians. Event Details: What: 2026 Legacy of Love Benefit: Generations of Music, Impact, and Community When: May 28, 2026 Where: La Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Los Angeles Honorees: Mark Guerrero and Dan Guerrero Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at www.neighborhoodmusic.org   Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Inspiring minds and enriching our community through music education. Current student ready to make a Payment? Start here! Make A Payment Interested in becoming a student? Start here! Registration Interested in learning more and getting involved? Start here! Join Our Mailing LIst Neighborhood Music School Neighborhood Music School believes that lives change through music. Founded in 1914, we provide low cost/high quality one-on-one music instruction to those who need it most. Located in a charming Victorian house in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, we are proud to serve as an anchor to our community, a bridge to cultural exchange and opportunity, and an usher to the mentorship between teacher and student that is integral in music instruction and in life. Music instruction We currently offer private instruction in piano, violin, viola, cello, percussion, guitar, trumpet, flute, clarinet, saxophone, ukulele and voice. However, classes for other instruments can be added on an as needed basis. As students become more proficient in expressing themselves through singing or playing an instrument, they gain poise and self-assurance. Research indicates that developing musical literacy skills reinforces or catalyzes success in academic performance. Overall, musical expression positively affects self-esteem, test-taking success, a better school performance and so much more. Our mission is to not only teach music, but to help our students develop the joys, wonders and skills that passively arise from a multi-faceted music education. Community Building Our Community is our core and our biggest strength. The Neighborhood Music School has been a gathering place for neighborhood residents for generations. In addition to music instruction, we open our doors to the community for movie nights, concerts, picnics, special events and field trips. We pride ourselves on being an artistic home to our community of students, teaching artists, families, alumni, and new friends. Performance Opportunities Students have many performance opportunities . The last week of each month, each student participates in Showtime. Students and teachers gather in the parlor the last ten minutes of every half hour lesson to perform for each other informally. Through these monthly performances, students build confidence and gain valuable experience. Students who are ready also perform in four in-person Student Recitals and four Virtual Recitals each year. Students, teaching artists and ensemble classes are often invited to perform at community events throughout the year. our house The Victorian house in which the school educates is listed in “Architecture in Los Angeles” (Gebhard & Winter) as one of only two 19th-Century houses in the area. After the 1987 earthquake, the house was retrofitted and restored from the bottom to the top to its Victorian beauty, thanks to grants from eleven foundations and with the contribution of the contracting skills of Nicholas Akers, a music-lover and prize-winning restoration contractor in Pasadena. The two-story house holds eight practice rooms. Although each room is unique in its atmosphere, every one is furnished with a piano. Downstairs, the parlor doors open to the main room, allowing a space for recitals and showtimes throughout the year. There is limited parking available on the property for students and teachers during lesson times. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] NMS History — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Our History The Neighborhood Music School began in 1914, in a little cottage on a street in Boyle Heights that was named —quite appropriately—Mozart. Founded by musician-composer Carrie Stone Freeman, it was known at the time as the Los Angeles Music School Settlement. Freeman’s gift of $1,000 gave life to this learning center where low-cost lessons enabled children to develop musical talent that might otherwise not have been available to them. LA Times writer Lee Shippey referred to the school in a 1931 edition of the paper, as “one of the most admirable institutions in Los Angeles.” By 1924, more than 300 students per month were taking lessons at the school—a group that represented as many as 18 nationalities, including Russians, Jews, Italians, Germans and Japanese. The nine teachers—some of whom were members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and often earned $5.00 a lesson elsewhere—were paid 50 cents an hour at the LA Music School Settlement. Students paid as little as 12 cents an hour; some were given scholarships. Renamed the Neighborhood Music School, the nonprofit school moved to its current location on South Boyle Avenue in 1933, where it continues to provide low-cost music instruction and scholarships to students of all ages. Its home is now a charmingly restored 19th century Victorian house where a cacophony of musical sounds can be heard, as young students and their families walk through the colorful rose garden that leads to the entrance. In a more recent LA Times article, columnist Steve Lopez wrote, “This is not a building, but a home. Moms and dads wait quietly in the foyer, toddlers in their laps, as their older children disappear into practice rooms to unravel the mysteries of the pianos, stringed instruments or woodwinds. You can almost hear the sighs of generations of children forced to plow through the scales, and you can easily imagine the confidence-building joy as they make breakthroughs, young brains absorbing a new language.” With a current enrollment of almost 350 students per month, NMS also provides performance opportunities such as “Showtime,” the school’s monthly informal recitals where students perform for their families and each other at the end of each half hour lesson. The teaching staff is composed of professional musicians and educators whose mentoring and inspirational teaching methods encourage each student to strive for excellence in all that they do, as well as creating the foundation for a lifetime of music-making and enjoyment that is most often the natural outcome of this learning process. Having been an institution in the Boyle Heights community for more than one hundred years, the school takes its civic duty seriously, regularly inviting neighbors for recitals, Concerts in the Parlor, Master Classes and other ongoing events, including an annual Open House/Community Festival. NMS students perform at a nearby hospital, retirement communities and other LA-area venues, bringing joy to their audiences and instilling the youngsters with pride of accomplishment and an understanding of the importance of helping others. As was the mission in its founding, Neighborhood Music School continues to build bright futures, one note at a time. The Settlement Movement and Community Music Schools Did you know that Neighborhood Music School is one of the oldest community music schools in the US? Our school has roots in the settlement movement that began in the 1880s and peaked in the 1920s. Settlement houses provided educational and social services for immigrants and the community-at-large as a way to bridge social and economic gaps. At the time of its founding, NMS was known as the Los Angeles Music Settlement and focused on providing English and music instruction. Here are some other community music schools that have similar legacies! Third Street Music School Settlement , New York City, NY (1894) Settlement Music School , Philadelphia, PA (1908) Brooklyn Music School , Brooklyn, NY (1909) Community Music Center of Boston , Boston, MA (1910) Neighborhood Music School , New Haven, CT (1911) The Music Settlement , Cleveland, OH (1912) Neighborhood Music School, Los Angeles, CA (1914) Community Music Center , San Francisco, CA (1921) Community Music School , Buffalo, NY (1924) Music School of Delaware , Wilmington, DE (1924) Community Music School , St. Louis, MO (1925) Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Our Supporters — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Neighborhood Music School is proudly supported by: Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Newsroom — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Newsroom Three NMS students were featured in Andrew Campa’s article about online education on July 29th, 2020.   Embed Block Add an embed URL or code.   So much is happening in and around Neighborhood Music School! April 2021: ShoutoutLA.com published an interview with NMS ED, Karen Louis! Read it here ! October, 2020 : Read about the artistic journey of composer, musician, and NMS advocate Germaine Franco! Check it out here ! August 6th, 2020 : NMS was a guest on Ozomatli’s Livestream! Check it out here ! July 29th, 2020 : Read about the impact online education has had on some students during the pandemic here ! June 22nd, 2020: Learn about the path NMS Director, Karen Louis, took to get to NMS here ! December 4th, 2011: Read the article written by Registrar Melissa Martinez when she first discovered NMS with Boyle Heights Beat here! Monthly update Archive: May 2022 can be found here! April 2022 can be found here! March 2022 can be found here! January 2022 can be found here! December 2021 can be found here! November 2021 can be found here! October 2021 can be found here! September 2021 can be found here! August 2021 can be found here! July 2021 can be found here ! June 2021 can be found here! May 2021 can be found here (with reopening details!) March 2021 can be found here ! February 2021 can be found here! January 2021 can be found here! December 2020 can be found here! November 2020 can be found here! October, 2020 can be found here ! September, 2020 can be found here! et aqui August, 2020 can be found here ! July, 2020 can be found here ! June 2020, can be found here ! May, 2020 can be found here ! April, 2020 can be found here ! Embed Block Add an embed URL or code.     Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Support NMS — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate   Make a gift today! Support programming in Long Beach Support community Music at NMS your impact creates opportunities Gifts of $100-$500 provide instrument upkeep, maintenance, Ensemble Performances, local field trips, healthy snacks Gifts of $501-$999 provide Summer Camp tuition scholarships, Recitals, Careers in Music Series, Special event support, Professional Development for Teaching artists Gifts of $1000-$4999 support a full year of tuition for 1-4 students, sponsor Concerts in the Parlor, Legacy Salons, and Master Classes Gifts of $5000+ support the Tuition Free Ensembles, bridge-building sponsorship for student study at summer conservatories, guest artists. Our Mission Inspiring minds and enriching our community through music education. Neighborhood Music School believes that lives change through music education. Founded by Carrie Stone Freeman in 1914 as a part of the Settlement movement, NMS was known as the "Los Angeles Music Settlement." Freeman's gift of $1000 gave life to this learning center where affordable lessons enable children to develop musical talent and creativity. What began as a modest gift has developed into an artistic and educational home with an $1,000,000 operating budget, 600+ students weekly, 27 teaching artists and 110 years of history and transformative development through music. We are proud to serve as an anchor to our community, a bridge to cultural exchange and opportunity, and an usher to the mentorship between teacher and student that is integral in music instruction and in life. Help Make our Match What We've Achieved 350+ Students of all ages. Outreach Programming in the classroom, the community, and at NMS. Early Childhood Music & Movement classes for youth ages 3-6. Tuition-Free! 27 teaching artists who are professional artists in the field to provide mentorship, assessment and development on a one-on-one basis. 6 performing ensembles and ensemble opportunities for advanced, collaborative group training. Summer Music Programs for all ages. Affordable and accessible one-on-one music instruction on a wide variety of instruments. A Student Scholarship Program with 2 cycles per year. A low-cost instrument rental program to ensure all students have quality instruments at home. Cultural opportunities and introductions throughout Los Angeles. Strategic partnerships with our Community Partners. Giving Opportunities There are many ways that you can contribute to the school. The following are other ways you can make a tax-deductible gift to the Neighborhood Music School today: Create your own matching gift Ask your company if they have a “Matching Gift” program. Many companies will match your gift to the Neighborhood Music School dollar-for-dollar. If yours will, please provide us the matching donation form from your Human Resources department, and we’ll take care of the rest! Consider NMS in your estate planning Sponsor a Neighborhood Music School Special Event You or your company can sponsor a masterclass, concert series, or other special event at Neighborhood Music School! In-kind contributions In addition to monetary donations, NMS is also very grateful for donations of instruments, tickets to local performance events, and time of volunteers. If you would like to speak to someone about giving opportunities, please call Karen Louis at  (323) 268-0762.   Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Works by Carrie Stone Freeman — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman carrie stone freeman Our founder, Carrie Stone Freeman, was a composer and was very active in the Los Angeles music societies and salons in the early 20th century. She donated many of her pieces to the Los Angeles Public Library. Please enjoy the following selections of her children’s lullabies and art songs. Thank you to our friends at the Los Angeles Public Library and Cal State LA for their archival assistance. Carrie Stone Freeman was friends with Amy Beach, another prominent American composer at the turn of the 20th century. As a symbol of their friendship, she dedicated one of her pieces, Meadowlarks , to Carrie. This work is available on IMSLP . bye, honey lam’ bye bye (1909)  Slumber Sea Chanteys (1910) The Hill to Pray (1911) in my dreams (1913) Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Ensembles — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons Neighborhood Music School Ensemble Program The Neighborhood Music School Ensemble Program provides a collaborative, performance-based learning environment for students looking to advance and accelerate their training by playing together. Each group is coached weekly by an experienced Neighborhood Music School teaching artist. Ensembles perform extensively in the community including at special events for NMS (Annual Gala, Open House), partners in education (USC, Idyllwild Arts), corporate sponsors (Bank of America), nonprofit partners (Venice Family Clinic, Bach in the Subways) and upon request. All ensembles are tuition-free with registration. Latin JAZZ BAND Latin Jazz Band meets on Mondays at NMS. Led by Teacher Matthew, Eric, and Sergio students learn latin jazz standards and new music, along with improvisation and jamming. string ensemble String Ensemble is led by Teacher Jennifer at NMS. Students who play violin, viola, cello, and double bass are welcome to audition for this group. coro Coro meets on Saturday mornings from 10:00-11:00am at NMS. Led by Teacher Albert, this ensemble is for anyone who just likes to sing and no previous experience is needed to join. community band Community Band meets on Saturday mornings from 11:00am-1:00pm in Hermon Park. This any-age, any-experience, any-instrument ensemble is led by Teacher Logan and performs regularly in the park and at other locations. Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Winter Recital 2023 — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020   Join us on Wednesday, December 20th at 6pm PST as we share our greatest gift of the season: our 2023 Virtual Recital!Watch with us on our YouTube Page, or stay right here!     Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] NMS Capital Campaign — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Neighborhood Music School Capital Campaign Help us grow!     Neighborhood Music School is ready to launch! On September 25th, 2021, Neighborhood Music School launched a capital campaign to grow, expand, and build more music with and for our community, and we need you! With the investment and belief of the Margie and Robert E. Petersen Foundation, we have begun this campaign with $2.5 million to purchase or develop a 2nd location! This seed funding allows us the foundation upon which to build with intention, enthusiasm, and achieve our mission in ways that will serve generations to come. We know how critical it is to grow mindfully and with the full support of our NMS community, and we need you to help us build the next phase of our school! This is how you can help! Lift your voice! We want to hear from you! As a valued member of the NMS family, how you would like to see NMS grow? What are the resources and areas that you feel would best support our mission of Inspiring minds and enriching our community through music education? Please fill out the short survey below, and register your contact information so we can invite you to our community focus group conversations! Take the Survey here Build our Board! Our Board of Directors is a fiercely committed group of advocates who believe deeply in our mission, our community, and the work of Neighborhood Music School. In the next few years, we will grow our board to expand our vision, representation, and embark on a strategic planning course that will ensure that Neighborhood Music School is strong, supported and thriving for generations to come! The Board of Directors is comprised of two groups: the Advisory Board who focus on serving as a resource and connector to the larger music, business, and creative communities in Los Angeles and beyond, and our Governing Board, who leads the governance of the organization and is on hand to guide the mission and support the staff that guides the operations. To learn more about the Board of Directors, please fill out the survey below, and we will be in contact with the next steps! Learn more about the board Partner with NMS! We grow stronger when we grow together! It is with the support and commitment of our community, collaborative and philanthropic partners that we can build our facility to best serve our community for centuries to come. Click below to fill our a request form to start the conversation about how we can build together a brighter future, one note at a time! Start the partnership conversation     Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Scholarships — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons Scholarships Our Spring 2026 scholarship application is now open! The deadline to apply is Saturday @ 11:59pm on January 17, 2026. Make sure to read the instructions page very carefully, making sure to prepare all necessary documents, and take note of important details about our auditions and orientation meeting. Our process has significantly changed since our last round of applications! Feel free to share this information with friends and family. And reach out to our office if you have any questions: 323-268-0762.  Good luck! Apply here(English) La fecha límite para postularse es el sabado 17 de enero de 2026 a las 00:00. Lea atentamente la página de instrucciones, prepare todos los documentos necesarios y tome nota de los detalles importantes sobre nuestras audiciones y la reunión de orientación. ¡Nuestro proceso ha cambiado significativamente desde nuestra última ronda de postulaciones! Comparta esta información con sus amigos y familiares. Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con nuestra oficina: 323-268-0762. ¡Mucha suerte! aplicar aquí Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Calendar of Events — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Legacy of Love Benefit Thursday, May 28, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM NMS closed Thursday, May 28, 2026, 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM Memorial Day - School Closed Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM Showtime Week Mon, May 18, 2026, 2:30 PM – Sat, May 23, 2026, 2:00 PM Open House Saturday, May 16, 2026, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM Faculty Outreach Performance: White Memorial Community Garden Open House - 10:30 P.M. Friday, May 8, 2026, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Performance Gallery — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate   NMS Performance Gallery Please enjoy these performances inside and outside of our Boyle Heights creative home. If you are interested in having NMS come perform or collaborate on a project, please contact [email protected]!     NMS 2020 Gala 2020 Virtual Showtime! When NMS closed it’s doors dues to COVID-19, the students brought Showtime! online! Showtime! is our week-long monthly showcase that takes place in our parlor. Students present their works in progress to an audience of family, friends and community. Please enjoy the focus, bravery and beauty in our students’ music! Teacher Performances En Bateau, C. Debussy Teaching Artists Jason McNally and Rafael Liebich perform “En Bateau” by Claude Debussy   Advanced Strings Quartet perform at the idyllwild Arts in society Symposium: sustainability On February 21, 2020, NMS Advanced Strings Ensemble, Executive Director Karen Louis and Teaching Artist and Ensemble Coach, Travis Laughlin joined the Dakota Wind Quintet and students from Idyllwild Arts to collaborate and perform for the Idyllwild Arts in Society Symposium; Sustainability. Ensemble & Community Performances Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Meet our Community! — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact   Meet our Community! At Neighborhood Music School, our community is what makes our music resonate and create harmony in our house and in the world. We’d love to introduce you to some of our family as they share some of what learning music at NMS has meant to their personal journeys.     Meet Justin! Meet Yamileth! Meet Luis! Meet Levi! Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Staff Picks — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks  Staff picks Enjoy these specially-curated playlists, stories, and fun facts from our teaching artists and staff! Each month features a new topic, genre, or other musical curiosity. Follow our Spotify channel here ! Featured Apr 8, 2025 In The City Playlist Apr 8, 2025 Read More → Apr 8, 2025 Apr 1, 2025 Espanglish Playlist Apr 1, 2025 Read More → Apr 1, 2025 Feb 1, 2025 Black History Month Playlist Feb 1, 2025 Read More → Feb 1, 2025 Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Our Values — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact We are proud to be a community music school that focuses on the unique development of each student at every phase of their individual journey. Core Values Neighborhood Music School was founded in 1914 as a Settlement House created to provide music and English instruction to the immigrant communities who had settled in Boyle Heights. Neighborhood Music School is deeply rooted in equity and inclusion. Our community is our core and our strength and we serve students, families and community with the love and respect they have come to know and trust since 1914. Value 1: We are a safe space and a place of comfort. Founded as a Settlement house in service to the multicultural community of Boyle Heights, we continue to ensure that our core values welcome and accept all who come into our house with kindness, patience, openness and caring. We understand that every journey is unique and deserves equal and unbiased opportunities. Value 2: We are an artistic home with a deep history and exciting future at the intersection of music study, mentorship and community engagement. We uphold the values and engagement of creative training, exploration, and development. Value 3: ·  NMS strives to connect our students, teaching artists, and community with the vast cultural, creative, and generative opportunities that the Los Angeles landscape has to offer. We actively seek out partnerships, collaborations, and professional development to ensure that the music created at, in and through NMS is anchored in growth, transformation and creative inquiry. Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Staff — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Our Staff  The Neighborhood Music School is run by the following dedicated administrative staff: Karen Louis, Executive Director “Where words fail, music speaks” – Hans Christian Anderson Music has played a definitive and restorative role throughout my life and career. I am thrilled, honored and humbled to serve as Executive Director of Neighborhood Music School and to be part of this artistic anchor and home in the Boyle Heights community. As a child, music- and the process of building music- was integral to my discovery, play, problem solving and comprehension. As a teenager, music took on another role as a mentor, a destination, a community, and a directional guide through endless challenges and opportunities. As a teaching and performing artist, music became an incredible tool for storytelling and identity. As I continue to grow, so do the awareness and appreciation of the massive power that the arts- and music in particular- have on all of us, all of the time. With an undergraduate degree in Theatre from the College of Wooster, a M.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts from Columbia College, Chicago, and a M.A. in Nonprofit Management from Antioch University, Los Angeles, I have worked as an actor (who sang often, if not well), arts administrator and teaching artist, teaching and performing on stages and in classrooms in New York City, Memphis, Chicago and many other places along the way. Since establishing my home in Los Angeles, I have built a path that includes arts administration, development and advocacy through my work as Executive Director of the LACHSA Foundation , raising funds for the arts programs at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts , as Deputy Director of Arts for LA . I currently serve of the Board of the Boyle Heights Chamber of Commerce and LA Dance Chronicle . I recognize that the nexus of creative development fuels all other development: personal, communal, societal, universal. To do this well, and fully, relies on the level to which we honor our voices, experiences and our humanity while exploring and trusting the craft and the discipline with which we build our relationships. Neighborhood Music School is built upon the practice of honoring voices, artistry and development from teaching artist to student, community engagement, and as the anchor of being an artistic home to so many generations before, and so many generations ahead. I am thrilled to lead this talented team as we fulfill the mission of Neighborhood Music School and continue to fill this home with stories, growth, creativity and music. “Music is the best.”- Frank Zappa [email protected] lisa sherman-colt, DIRECTOR of operations and ADMINISTRATION Ms. Sherman-Colt has dedicated the past three decades of her professional career to her three passions: arts education, youth, and social justice. Her work as an administrator and artist has earned her numerous distinguished accolades recognizing her leadership in education. She was flown to Washington D.C. to receive the National Crystal Apple Distinguished Educator Award. She is the recipient of numerous awards/ grants from community and educational organizations. These include: the Michael Jordan Foundation, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Surdna Arts Foundation, the CSULA Principal Residence Network, the American High School Theatre Festival, the California Arts Council, and the Confucius Institute. As a distinguished administrator from the United States, Ms. Sherman-Colt earned a fellowship through the Chinese Bridge Delegation and travelled to China to tour schools and meet with Chinese educators and administrators. Ms. Sherman-Colt was a member of an educational /arts panel for National Public Radio and has been selected to speak at educational conferences throughout the country. In addition, as a professional dance educator she choreographed and directed numerous ballets that have premiered throughout the United States and abroad. Presently, Mrs. Sherman-Colt serves as the Director of Operations and Administration at the Neighborhood Music School in Los Angeles. Previously, Ms. Sherman-Colt served as Chief Program Officer of the Cayton Children’s Museum, Executive Director of Oakland School for the Arts, Interim & Assistant Principal of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and Artistic Director of Milwaukee High School for the Arts. Through her tenure, she earned two graduate degrees: M.S. in Educational Leadership and a M.F.A. in Dance Performance / Choreography. In addition, she earned two bachelor’s degrees: B.S. Dance Education and B.S. Dance Performance/ Choreography. Her commitment to community service can be seen by her continued devotion to promote education programming by meeting with various foundations and sitting on numerous non-for-profit arts education boards. These include: the Ballet Wisconsin Board, the Art Schools Network Board – conference committee, the Milwaukee Public Schools Board – ABC Coalition for K-12 Arts Education and the Milwaukee High school for the Arts Foundation. [email protected] Dr. rafael Liebich, Director of Programs and Evaluation Brazilian-American pianist Rafael Liebich has earned degrees from the State University of Campinas (B.M., 2001), the Federal University of the Rio Grande do Sul State (M. M., 2004), and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the USC Thornton School of Music (2012). He was faculty and Artist-In-Residence at University of La Verne (2015 - 2021), and currently holds teaching positions at El Camino College (where he also acts as Coordinator of the Applied Keyboard Area), and Neighborhood Music School in Los Angeles (where he also acts as Director of Programs and Evaluation). Much sought as a performer, collaborative, and recording artist, he has performed for various concert series throughout Southern California, and worked in studio recordings for soundtracks of short movies and documentaries. An advocate of contemporary music, Dr. Liebich actively pursues embracing diversity in his performances as well as in his pedagogical practice. He is a member of the International Society for Music Education, and his scholarly work includes publications in music analysis, music education and sociology, and music interpretation and aesthetics. From USC Thornton School of Music he received honors such as the Keyboard Ensemble Award, the Keyboard Studies Department Award, as well as induction into the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honors Society. In hi Outreach Programs — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons Our Outreach Vision is to introduce, explore and inspire community through hands-on introduction, engagement, and education of music and musical concepts. NMS Teaching Artist Matthew Angel shares his violin with the enthusiastic learners at PUENTE Learning Center We share our outreach: In the classroom through the presentation of workshops, residencies and hands-on education and practice. In the community through performance, demonstration, and as guest artists at resource fairs, festivals, community events and public arenas. At NMS through community events, open houses, concerts, and activities. Our Goals Introduce musical concepts, instruments, and ideas to the community. Spark curiosity and connection to music with the community. Create connection and opportunity to bring new students to NMS. Share joy and the process of music making and education. Our Partnerships We believe each outreach program is a partnership, and is customizable to the needs and interests of our shared program. Current Partners include: PUENTE Learning Center USC Keck/Bionic Ear Lab Art in the Park classes at art in the park Join us for special group class programs at our partner location, Art in the Park! All classes are tuition-free through support from the Department of Cultural Affairs, LA County Department of Arts and Culture, and California Arts Council. Thursdays Latin Percussion Lab, 3:30-4:15pm (K-5th grade) Latin Jazz Band, 4:30-6:30pm (all ages) Tuesdays Early Childhood Music and Movement, 3:30-4:15pm (ages 3-6) Beginners’ Music Jam, 4:30-5:30pm (all ages) Please register for these classes here Interested in learning more about our NMS Outreach opportunities? We’d love to partner with you! Reach out to Julianne Papadopoulos, Community Partnerships and Development Coordinator at [email protected] for more information.   Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Open House — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020   Please join us for our Spring Open House at Neighborhood Music School.  Por favor únase a nosotros para nuestra Casa Abierta de Primavera en Neighborhood Music School.   Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Communitity Partner — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Los Angeles Wildfire Resources Please take our anonymous Needs assessment survey here Neighborhood Music School is committed to serving our community far and wide. Our community is our strength and our light. In LA County, we are all affected by the devastating wildfires whether we have lost a home, lost work via businesses and homes lost, have friends and family staying with us, and want to help the resource efforts to serve our Los Angeles Community. Neighborhood Music School has organized an area at the school which operates as a Free Store and a Donation Center. We are currently accepting new and gently used clothing of all sizes, water bottles, baby supplies(formula, diapers, etc), food staples(boxed, canned, fresh), air purifiers(new), and small essential home appliances(new or like-new). NMS Community is invited to donate and/or receive available goods at the school. At the end of each week, remasining items will be contributed to drives affecting the fire-stricken areas. Additional Resources: LA County Emergency Resources Page LA County (new) Recovery Page LA County Arts Resources Page KTLA Financial Resource Page Community Partnerships Neighborhood Music School works closely with our neighborhood partners to connect the cultural offerings and opportunities of Los Angeles with the community we serve and support. Current partnerships include: Venue and Residency Partners: Art in the Park Puente Learning Center White Memorial Hollenbeck Terrace Education Partners: Idyllwild Arts Interlochen Center for the Arts Los Angeles County High School for the Arts LAMusArt Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony   Watch here! Donate here! Help NMS Grow! Bid on our auction Become a sponsor Here! September 25th, 2021 You are invited to join our NMS community of students, families, partners, board members and friends as we continue to build and share the journeys that music has informed over our 107 year history! In this livestream benefit for Neighborhood Music School, we will introduce you to our members of our alumni, board, community partners and students. Last year, we shared our house, school, and community and the ways in which music has influenced our immediate landscape inside the school itself, and how we adapted when those doors needed to close, due to the pandemic. This year, we will explore the ways and means music has impacted us all outside of the NMS doors. In this year of constant adaptation and transition, music has identified itself as a superpower in healing, in hope, and when we come together, we have the opportunity to build a harmony that benefits the greater community. We will learn where music has led our alumni, our students, our community partners, and where NMS is headed in the years ahead! Thank you to our sponsors and donors who are making BIG difference! Diamond Sponsors Gold sponsors Silver Sponsors Bronze sponsors Georgiana Erskine The Gorelick Family John Dylan Keith and Sarah Masslon Virginia (Ginny) Mancini Elayne Techentin Event Donors Denise Aubuchon Howard & Jackie Banchik Larry & Theresa Bucher Raynaldo & Stella Bustillos Mary Louise Bustillos Joseph & Dolores Cruz Albert & Lydia D'Antonio Joseph & Carlotta De Francisco Charles Fairchild Marc & Patricia Foorman Helen L. Franke Linda Grand Bernard & Lenore Greenberg William & Vivian Hutton Thomas & Gloria Lang Andree Morin Robert & Ann Ronus Diane Sternal Dr. Olga & Roy Walden     Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Virtual Gala Showcase 2020 — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Neighborhood Music School Presents: From Our Home To Yours A Virtual Gala Showcase Watch the Video here! Make a Donation Become a Sponsor! Watch the Livestream Here! Watch the Individual Performances here! Join us on September 26th at 6:00pm as we venture through the past, present and future of Neighborhood Music School to follow the path that began as a Settlement House and evolved into an artistic home to generations behind and ahead. Where Words Fail, Music Speaks- Hans Christian Anderson On May 16th, 2020, we put this to the test. In order to work toward flattening the curve of Covid-19, keep our community safe, and spirits lifted, we (temporarily) closed our doors, and opened our windows to shine a light on the music, mentorship and community that has anchored Neighborhood Music School for 106 years. Presenting Sponsor The Al Sherman Foundation Platinum sponsor Bank of America Gold Sponsor Michael J. Libow Gold Sponsor Westmount Gold Sponsor Presidio LLP Anonymous Anonymous Bronze Sponsors Bruce Gorelick Elayne Techentin With deep gratitude, we would like to thank the following Friends of Neighborhood Music School for their support in 2020. Denise Aubuchon Michael Barin Theresa & Larry Bucher Martha Burns Thomas P. Cacciatore Gigi Carleton Doris R Childs Lydia & Albert D'Antonio Marsha Day Carlotta & Joseph De Francisco María Del Pilar Elizabeth Dennehy Michael Dimitriou Jeffrey Dollinger Garfield Ecung Carrie Fairchild Jenifer Fleming & Daniel Moreno Linda Florjanic Helen L. Franke Hon. Gilbert T Gembacz & Camille Gembacz Michelle Goddess Linda J. Grand Eugene Hutchins Mr. & Mrs. William Hutton Anne Louis Ilcus Kimberlee Jones JoAnn Kostelas Jenny Kostroff Todd and Staci Kreiser Thomas Lang Jeff Levy Andrew Louis Dr. James Louis Kristan and Richard Louis Susan Louis Ginny Mancini Costis Markakis Mike and Dawn Maron Sarah Masslon and John Dylan Keith Nancy J. Mello Gerardo Morales Judy Patel Sandra Perez Elizabeth M. Pestian Courtney Pippen Dr. and Mrs. John O. Pohlmann David Potovsky Manuel Prieto Laura Reutz Monica G. Roper & Trevor Roper Ann & Robert Ronus Rachel Rosenbaum Nancy Scott Jean Smith & Rodnie Nelson The Spitzmiller Family Constance St. John Suzy Staulz Bertha Stojic Caleb Tiller Raymond Towne & Karen C. Hanna-Towne Victor Vallejo Leticia Velasquez The Villicana Foundation Melissa Wagner Dr. Olga Walden & Roy Walden Marsha Zickfield Day & Stephen M. Day Sherri Ziff and Rock Your Life Coaching The Zager Family Mary Zoryan Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Carrie Stone Freeman — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman carrie stone freeman A prominent Los Angeles figure in the early 1900s, Carrie Stone Freeman was a pianist, vocalist, composer, music teacher, and founder of Neighborhood Music School. She also founded the Los Angeles Music School Settlement Association and was state chairman of music for the Los Angeles and Southern districts of California Federation of Women’s Clubs. Born Carrie Amelia Stone on July 9th, 1871 in East Troy, Wisconsin, Stone Freeman had a promising start at an early age as a musical prodigy. Taking piano, voice, and organ lessons with several instructors, her studies would lead her to New York and Chicago to continue learning music and furthering her career. It was in these years Stone Freeman would craft her professional life working as a soloist, piano accompanist, and teacher assistant, building her reputation as an important and acclaimed musician. At the age of thirty-three, Stone Freeman moved west and established herself in Los Angeles to build a new network for herself and others within the music world. As an active member of the music community, Stone Freeman advocated for music education through lectures and performances. The programs she presented included conversations with the active audience to discuss and analyze music. During these events, some of Stone Freeman’s own compositions were included and promoted across Los Angeles. On March 2nd, 1908 (Feb 1908), Stone Freeman performed in The Wreck of Hesperus , a musical setting of the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem with music by Thomas Anderton, presented at Mammoth Hall with the St. Mark's Episcopal Church Choir. Carrie Stone Freeman believed in teaching music and actively performing; this was full participation in arts education. Carrie Stone Freeman was a member of the Ebell Club and the Harmonia Musical Club, a group of brilliant professional musicians that discussed music through lectures, meetings, and performances, and also hosted local events. On April 27th, 1909, Stone Freeman performed several of her own works, including “Twilight” and “Bye, Honey Lamb, Bye Bye,” during a program with the Ebell Club in Highland Park as a part of a lecture on Shakespeare’s Tempest . During a November 29th, 1910 Harmonia Club event, selections from Stone Freeman’s “Slumber Sea Chanteys” were performed. The charm Carrie Stone Freeman had in music transcended the human audience into the animal kingdom, as featured in an article on September 5th, 1912. When speaking to the Los Angeles Herald, Stone Freeman observed the power of music and how it influences a bond between humans and animals. When she was asked if she was ever afraid of the creatures in her home causing her harm, she responded with laughter, reassuring she was not afraid of the animals. She shared, “Lots of times I let them stay wherever they light on me—they never try to bite—and all they apparently want is music — Two years ago there was one little fellow (spider) which clung round all the time. We'd put him out, but he'd come back again and again.” Music as a significant connective force, as strong as language, is also noted by another observation Stone Freeman had about the birds around her home and the calling nature had with music. She said, “The birds come, too, when I'm playing. There have been five nests built (a)round our eaves this year, and when I am at the piano they flutter close to the window. I don't let them come in, but sometimes they slip In without permission. I was playing some of Beethoven's sonatas last week, and the windows were besieged by hummingbirds.” On November 13th, 1913, Stone Freeman gave another illustrated lecture to members of the Twentieth Century Club in Long Beach, CA: American Composers; music from contemporary composers [of their time]. The program featured the following selection of works: Ecstasy ; Op. 56 No. 4 by H.H.A. Beach “To a Wild Rose,” “At an Old Trysting Place,” “From an Indian Lodge,” and “A Deserted Farm” from Woodland Sketches by Edward MacDowell Sleep Little Lady ; Serenity by Mary Turner Salter No. 2, “Ophelia” and No. 4, “Narcissus” from Water Scenes, Op. 13; No. 3, “Venetian Love Song” from A Day in Venice, Op. 25 by Ethelbert Nevin Ethelinda, Op. 14, No. 2, by William H. Sherwood Stone Freeman understood that lectures were more than analyzing music theory and more so about the effects music has with its audience. Through her years of study, we see Stone Freeman had a clear understanding that music can be taught not just by a classroom lecture, but by observations held within oneself in the body and soul; over-analyzation can make music lose its magic and the mystery it has on all of us. In April 1915, Stone Freeman gave a lecture, “How to Listen to Music,” for the Santa Barbara (CA) Music Study Club and other visiting guests. Morning Press quoted Stone Freeman as saying, “For the true enjoyment of music, let us not analyze too deeply Into the constructive realm, else we may be in the same position as one who would get deep into the heart of the rainbow, to find only drops of water. Whenever for the sake of study and knowledge we analyze an art work in order to surprise the secret of its construction, we need to recreate it, in order to recover its charm and inspiration. Music represents the self-moved activity of the soul. In no other art is the difference so great between the inspired and the mechanically put together. Whatever is bright, tender, and joyful, resolved or noble, music expresses with peculiar power. Evil lies outside its pure provinces. Something unifies all art. It must grip reality somewhere. All art is expression, adequate and harmonious.” Among the many presentations over the years and working with several notable musicians across Los Angeles, one of the most notable colleagues and close friend to Carrie Stone Freeman was H. H. A. Beach (Amy Beach). Amy Beach, a composer and pianist from Henniker, New Hampshire, dedicated a piece of music to Stone Freeman that was inspired by the motifs sung by California meadowlarks. The piece itself, entitled Meadowlarks , features words set from a work by poet Ina Coolbirth from San Francisco, CA. The inspiration for the song came to Amy Beach one spring while visiting Riverside, CA. Hearing the songs sung by the meadowlark out in nature, she set accompaniment to the motif sung by the bird. The world premiere of Meadowlarks by Amy Beach was premiered in Los Angeles on October 27th, 1916 during a concert of her works for a group of members from the Zoom Instructions — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions optimize your zoom lesson/Optimice su lección en Zoom Zoom offers the most audio options when used on a desktop/laptop device. For help using Zoom on a phone or tablet, please click here . Zoom ofrece la mayoría de las opciones de audio cuando se usa en un dispositivo de escritorio/portátil. Para obtener ayuda para usar Zoom en un teléfono o tableta, haga clic aquí (direcciones en ingles). From your desktop or laptop: Desde su computadora de escritorio o portátil: Open audio settings. Abra la configuración de audio. Under Audio Profile, select “Original Sound for Musicians.” All other options should be unselected. En Perfil de audio, seleccione "Sonido original para músicos". Todas las demás opciones deben estar deseleccionadas. Exit Audio Settings and return to the call. The option to turn Original Sound on/off should appear in the top left corner of your screen. If not, exit Zoom and rejoin the call. Salga de Configuración de audio y regrese a la llamada. La opción para activar o desactivar el sonido original debería aparecer en la esquina arriba a la izquierda de la pantalla. Si no funciona, salga de Zoom y vuelva a unirse a la llamada. Once the Original Sound option appears, click to turn it on. Una vez que aparezca la opción Sonido original, haga clic para activarla. With Original Sound on, perform a sound check with your teaching artist. Happy learning! Con Sonido original activado, realice una prueba de sonido con su profesor/a. ¡Feliz aprendizaje! troubleshooting/SOLUCIÓN DE PROBLEMAS Make sure your Zoom application is up to date. Every device and internet connection is different; you may need to try different combinations to find your individual solution. Asegúrese de que su aplicación Zoom esté actualizada. Cada dispositivo y conexión a Internet es diferente; es posible que deba probar diferentes combinaciones para encontrar su solución individual. If audio trouble continues after turning Original Sound on, return to Audio Settings. Above Audio Profile, deselect the box “Automatically adjust microphone volume.” Si el problema de audio continúa después de activar el Sonido original, regrese a Configuración de audio. Encima de Perfil de audio, anula la selección de la casilla "Ajustar automáticamente el volumen del micrófono". Device position in relation to your instrument can also affect the audio on Zoom. After deselecting “Automatically adjust microphone volume,” perform a sound check with your teaching artist. Try moving closer to your device, then try moving away from your device. If you are playing piano, avoid positioning your device on top of the piano if possible. La posición del dispositivo en relación con su instrumento también puede afectar el audio en Zoom. Después de anular la selección de "Ajustar automáticamente el volumen del micrófono", realice una prueba de sonido con su profesor/a. Intente acercarse a su dispositivo, luego intente alejarse de su dispositivo. Si está tocando el piano, evite colocar su dispositivo encima del piano si es posible. High-fidelity music mode (under Audio Profile) requires a very strong internet connection (ethernet preferred) and is only available for Mac/PC users. El modo de música de alta fidelidad (bajo Perfil de audio) requiere una conexión a Internet muy fuerte (preferiblemente Ethernet) y solo está disponible para usuarios de Mac/PC. Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Classes and Registration — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons Informacion en español Classes and Registration Neighborhood Music School offers one-one-one lesson in the following instruments: piano, guitar, violin, cello, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, flute, clarinet, bass, drums, ukulele, and voice. All lessons are on an open enrollment status. You may start and cancel at any time. Currently all lessons are held Monday - Saturday once a week. Students can enroll in lessons starting at the age of 6. Students who are younger than 6 years old will need to be assessed by a teacher before enrolling for one-on-one lessons. To inquire about our available lesson days and times please call the Main Office at (323)268-0762 or email [email protected] NMS Student Handbook (English) Tuition Prices are Monthly rate per student and instrument. Under 18 30 min. $68 45 min. $102 60 min. $136   Over 18 (Adult) 30 min. $75 45 min. $112 60 min. $150 Online Registration Form Register Here New students please call the main office first to inquire about available lessons before registering.       Parent Portal Enter Here Current students please follow the link to access the payment portal, registration and event sign-up. Scholarships NMS is proud to offer a variety of scholarships for students experiencing financial hardship. Please visit our Scholarships page for more information. Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected] Summer Programs — Neighborhood Music School Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Home About Us Our Values Meet our Community! Teaching Artists Staff Board Our Supporters Contact Performance Gallery Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons NMS History History Carrie Stone Freeman Works by Carrie Stone Freeman Resources Emergency Wildfire Resources and Community Partnership Page Instructional Videos Newsroom Staff Picks Events Calendar of Events Legacy of Love: Generations Open House Legacy Salons at NMS Winter Recital 2023 NMS Virtual Benefit 2021: Healing, Hope & Harmony NMS: From Our Home to Yours Virtual Gala 2020 Students Your Zoom Lesson Zoom Instructions Work at NMS! Help NMS Grow Donate Programs Classes and Registration Summer Programs Outreach Programs Scholarships Ensembles Legacy Salons Now Enrolling for summer music programs! Registration is limited and first-come, first-served! $100 per week All Summer Music programs are week-long intensives from 10am-2pm, Monday-Friday. June 15-19: Music & Nature (All Ages) June 22-26: Drums & Percussion (Ages 7-17) June 29-July 3rd: Jazz Combo/Ensemble (ages 13+) July 6-10: Music Theater & Improv (All Ages) July 13-17: Experiments in Music Making & Instrument Building (Ages 8+) July 20-24: Exploring Math, Science & History Through the Magic of Music (Ages 7-12) Music & Nature with Teacher Stuart June 15-19 Students will explore the connection between music and the natural world. They will discover how animals communicate through sound, learn nature-inspired songs and works by classical composers and sound artists, and create their own field recordings using "found sounds." Throughout the week, students will use these recordings to build a sound map of the school, blending creativity, listening, and environmental awareness. ( All Ages) Drums & Percussion Week with Teacher Gerardo June 22-26 Students will explore the fundamentals of music reading, timing, rhythm, and technique in a fun, hands-on setting. Open to all skill levels, this camp introduces a variety of musical styles, including Latin rhythms, jazz, and pop. Through practical exercises and group performance, students will strengthen their drumming skills, build confidence, and grow as musicians. ( Ages 7-17)   Jazz Combo/ Ensemble with Teachers Masatoshi and Eric June29-July 3 Step into the world of jazz and explore the excitement of making music in a dynamic ensemble. In this week-long intensive, students will explore the collaboration, creativity, and musicianship that define jazz performance. From blues and selections from the Great American Songbook to modern jazz repertoire, participants will rehearse and perform as a combo while learning to listen. respond, and create in the moment. Students will strengthen their instrumental skills, build confidence in improvisation, and deepen their understanding of jazz as both a tradition and a living art form. ( Ages 13+)   Music Theater & Improv with Teachers Stuart and Dani July 6-10 Students will collaborate in creating an original performance through group songwriting and improvisational theater. Campers will explore storytelling through music, movement, and improv games while developing creativity. confidence, and teamwork. By the end of the week, students will perform their one- of a kind production and share their original work. ( All Ages)   Experiments in Music Making & Instrument Building with Teacher Tany July 13-17 Unleash your creativity in this hands-on, week- long camp where imagination meets sound.  Students will design and build their won unique instruments - such as homemade French horn using tubing and funnels, a cookie tin banjo, and a wood block zither _ while also creating accessories like mallets and bows. Throughout the week, students will experiment with sound, rhythm, and tone, and discover how to make music using their homemade instruments and other found objects.  This engaging camp encourages innovation, problem-solving, and artistic expression in a fun, collaborative environment. ( Ages 8+) Workshop Fee: $10   Exploring Math, Science & History Through the Magic of Music with Teachers Jennifer and Frank July 20-24 Discover, play, and connect!  Young musicians dive into the exciting world where music meets math, science, and history. Students will explore rhythm to understand fractions, experiment with sound and vibration by building their own instruments and discover how music has shaped our world.  Through hands-on activities, group music-making, and creative exploration, students engage their curiosity while developing musical skills and a deeper understanding of the world around them. ( Ages 7-12) Tuition $100 per week New Students Current Students Register Here Parent Portal Back to Top 358 S Boyle Ave Los Angeles, CA 90033   Contact Us: P: (323) 268-0762 E: [email protected]