Business Details
34 Years
experience
Your Trusted Music Education Partner in Santa Cruz
Since 1992, Community Music School has been dedicated to enriching lives through music education, performance, and community engagement. Our programs are designed to foster musical growth and appreciation for students of all ages, from children to adults. With a focus on traditional folk music and a commitment to accessibility, we offer summer camps, workshops, and ensembles that emphasize collaboration, creativity, and technical skill development. Our team of professional musicians and educators brings decades of experience to every program, ensuring participants receive high-quality instruction in a supportive environment. We maintain a free teacher database to connect students with qualified instructors and operate an instrument adoption program that redistributes donated instruments to those in need.Through community events like concerts and instrument petting zoos, we strive to make music accessible to all. Our programs have been recognized for their transformative impact on participants, fostering confidence, teamwork, and artistic expression. We adhere to strict ethical standards, maintaining transparency in operations and prioritizing community needs. With over 30 years of experience in music education, we continue to innovate while staying rooted in our mission to build a more musically connected world.
Services
Summer Music Camps
Community Concerts
Teacher Database
Music Match Program
Instrument Petting Zoos
Teen Band Program
Music Recordings
Monthly Newsletter
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- We've provided music education programs since 1992 with proven community impact
- Our faculty includes professional musicians with teaching expertise
- We maintain a free teacher referral database for personalized instruction
- Our instrument adoption program redistributes donated instruments to those in need
- We create inclusive musical communities through camps and ensemble programs
What people say
Life-changing experience
Musical confidence
Supportive environment
Creative courage
Technical skill development
Services
Summer Music Camps
Our summer camps provide immersive music education experiences for children, teens, and adults. Participants learn from professional musicians through instrument-specific instruction, ensemble playing, and performance opportunities. The programs emphasize technical skill development while fostering creativity and musical collaboration in a supportive environment.
Community Concerts
We produce annual concerts featuring professional musicians and student ensembles. These events showcase diverse musical traditions while supporting youth music education programs. Performances include interactive elements like instrument petting zoos that engage audiences of all ages in musical discovery.
Teacher Database
Our free referral service connects students with qualified music teachers across multiple instruments and styles. The online database helps learners find instructors matching their specific needs while supporting local music educators through free listings.
Music Match Program
This initiative redistributes donated musical instruments to students and organizations in need. We facilitate instrument adoption for music learners while partnering with local nonprofits to ensure equitable access to musical resources across the community.
Instrument Petting Zoos
Interactive instrument showcases allow participants to explore different musical instruments through hands-on experiences. Staff-guided demonstrations at community events help audiences understand instrument mechanics and encourage musical experimentation in a fun, accessible format.
People
Susan Willats
Executive Director
With over 30 years of program administration experience at UC Santa Cruz, Susan leads our organization with a commitment to equitable music education. She expanded our outreach programs after seeing her daughter's positive experience in our camps.
Shelley Phillips
Founder and Artistic Director
A multi-instrumentalist and educator with international performance experience, Shelley founded our organization and developed its core programs. She brings expertise in Celtic harp instruction and community music initiatives, having received multiple arts awards for her work.
Questions
What types of instruments can I donate?
We accept small instruments like guitars, flutes, and violins in good condition. We cannot accept pianos or large instruments due to storage limitations.
Do you offer beginner music classes?
We provide free beginning music instruction for low-income children in Live Oak. For other beginners, we recommend checking our Music Teacher Database or Cabrillo College's programs.
What is your refund policy for camps?
We offer full refunds for camp cancellations. Simply email us to notify us of your cancellation at any time before the event.
How do I find a music teacher?
Our free online Teacher Database connects students with qualified instructors across various instruments and musical styles in the Santa Cruz area.
What age groups do your programs serve?
We offer programs for children starting at age 7 through adult workshops, with specialized camps for teens and adults focusing on traditional folk music education.
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