MARCH 2023
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A NOTE FROM JANE
We're stepping into spring this year by honoring the life-changing impact of a music education.
I recently received a note from a young violin student that said, “ELM has changed my life and I love my life."
I cannot imagine ten more impactful words. We know that deep engagement in music is life-changing and it doesn’t get much better than playing music with a loving and supportive community throughout one’s childhood. ELM friends become a second family and ELM’s warm, colorful space is truly a second home for our community.
What a whirlwind this quarter has been. For me, the most exciting news is that this year I started my first recorder cohort in 10 years. With my administrative and fundraising roles at ELM growing in proportion to the rapid growth of ELM in general, I have been missing the direct musical connection with our students. And so, with my first group of students well-launched and now in college, I couldn’t wait to start a new cohort.
Most exciting about this cohort is that it represents the first group of pre-wind and brass students to be admitted from the community at large.
Now, all children from the Canal neighborhood have the opportunity to join ELM, regardless of what school they attend.
Speaking of access, as we grow in the number of students, programs and instruments offered, and look forward to initiating a Latin music track, we find that we are using our current space to the maximum. ELM is buzzing with students from after school until 9pm many nights. We have reached a tipping point and are hoping to find a larger and more permanent home in the Canal, accessible to our growing number of students. We are ready and excited to be taking this next big step.
This spring we have an unprecedented number of concerts and activities, including a side-by-side with the
SF Chamber Orchestra on March 19th, for which we will play The Mix of the Culturas, written for us by Giancarlo D’Addona, based on the musical memories of our students' families. We were honored to be invited, alongside four other Bay Area youth music groups, to perform at the newly-renovated Guild Theater in Menlo Park. Stay tuned for more information about that one, which will be in early May. We will also be performing in Santa Rosa at the beautiful Green Music Center along with other El Sistema programs and the Sonoma State Orchestra.
Thank you for your continued enthusiasm and support.
Warmly,
Jane Kramer, PhD, Founder and Executive Director
STUDENT CONNECTIONS
Welcoming New Wind & Brass Students
In January, we admitted 10 fourth grade recorder students who will form our first cohort of community-based wind and brass students. As we continue to make ELM more accessible to our community by admitting students from all San Rafael elementary schools, we're pleased to welcome our newest recorder students, whose ELM journey has just begun.
This recorder class is also special because it is the first class that Jane has taught in a decade. Jane is co-teaching the class with Cathy Lenz, a long-time San Rafael elementary school music teacher, who brings a background of Orff pedagogy and ukulele to the class. In June, this group of recorder students will choose a brass or wind instrument and join our growing Sinfonia orchestra.
Collaborating with the SFCO
After two consecutive summer chamber music camp collaborations, we are honored to continue our partnership with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra (SFCO), thanks to a generous grant from the California Arts Council. ELM & the SFCO will perform in a special side-by-side performance of The Mix of the Culturas, which Venezuelan composer Giancarlo Castro D'Addona composed with our elmCAT students.
If you missed our performance of Culturas at ELM's winter concert or want to relive the magic, be sure to join us on March 19th for an encore performance! Stay after the show to meet with the SFCO’s newly-appointed music director, Cosette Justo Valdés.
Catching up with ELM Alumni
What better way to start 2023 than sharing stories and memories over breakfast burritos with our current high school seniors and ELM alums?
Home from college for the holidays, ELM grads shared their college experiences and highlights with us. It was a rare opportunity for our seven ELM high school seniors to seek advice about college from their older ELM peers and to reminisce about favorite ELM memories when they were elmitos at Pickleweed Park.
Abi playing drums at Pickleweed as an elmito
“Seeing other ELM students attend college motivates me to go to a 4-year college. Usually, after people graduate, you lose touch with the people you grew up with, so having this sort of community allows me to reminisce on special memories.”
It brings us such joy to stay connected to our ELM students and alums, and we look forward to celebrating their many future successes as they soar to new heights.
ELM IN THE COMMUNITY
Receiving Heart of Marin’s Excellence in Board Leadership
Every year, the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) recognizes Marin County’s outstanding nonprofit volunteers, leaders, and organizations at their Heart of Marin ceremony. We're proud to share that ELM's phenomenal board chair, Tiana Wimmer, was this year's recipient of the prestigious Heart of Marin "Excellence in Board Leadership" award.
The daughter of Juilliard professors and a musician herself, Tiana was immersed in music from an early age. She knows first-hand the transformative power of a high-quality music education, which is precisely what drew her to ELM. Her passion for music, commitment to making a difference, and wide-ranging skill set have made her a truly wonderful board chair for ELM. We are grateful for the leadership that Tiana has provided for ELM these past three years. On behalf of the entire board and staff, we thank Tiana for the work she continues to do for ELM and our community.
ELM SPOTLIGHTS
Celebrating our Enrichment Volunteer, Edith Lonergan
Since she started volunteering with ELM in 2021, our after-school enrichment volunteer, Edith Lonergan, has been a vibrant, energetic addition to our program. Not only does she help with crafts and activities each week, she also volunteers as a reading buddy, cheers on our students at ELM concerts, and keeps Kerner festive by decorating for every holiday.
For this edition of our Spotlight, Edith sat down with our host, Kate Fitzsimmons, to talk about what drew her to ELM, what she enjoys about volunteering with us, and how our mission, community, and students continue to inspire her.
PERFORMANCES & EVENTS
Spring Open House
Experience ELM in action with a behind-the-scenes tour of our Saturday program. Join us at Venetia Valley School on April 22 from 10-11:30am for student rehearsals, a live performance, coffee with the ELM board & parents, and a preview of our spring concert repertoire! Space is limited, so please secure your spot early.
More Upcoming Events
March 19 | 3pm ELM & SFCO Side-by-Side at Mt. Tam United Methodist Church
March 23 | 5pm Marin Women's Hall of Fame Celebration at the Peacock Gap Golf Club
April 2 | 2pm & 4pm elmCATS Recitals at Sweetwater Music Hall
April 29 | 7:30pm Sonoma State Seminario at The Green Center
May (Date and Time TBA) | BAY Rising at The Guild Theater
June 4 | 1pm & 4:30pm ELM Spring Concert at Marin School of the Arts
Help ELM Find a New Home
Help us to purchase a building or land to create a center for music, culture, and community in the Canal.
ELM provides youth with an immersive music education that empowers them to pursue their dreams and access resources they need to succeed in life.