Grantee Database
PURPLE SILK MUSIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Grant Year
2023-24
Grant Program
Impact Projects
Award Amount
$25,000.00
Project Description
With support from the California Arts Council, PURPLE SILK MUSIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC will undertake Year 1 of a two-year community-based music education project, Songs of the Chinese Railroad Workers—Phase II, engaging students, artists, cultural practitioners, and community members from two neighborhoods—Oakland Chinatown and San Francisco Chinatown—identified as under-resourced by the California Healthy Places Index (HPI). Approximately 350 students (grades 1-12) in PSMEF’s Chinese music program will learn and perform songs of the Chinese immigrants and other workers (Irish, African American, Japanese, Mexican, Native American) who built the Transcontinental Railroad. PSMEF will partner with Silk Road Ensemble, founded by Yo-Yo Ma, which is undertaking a multi-year American Railroad initiative to honor the unsung contribution of these workers. PSMEF and Silk Road will share repertoire and plan a joint performance for PSMEF’s 30th Anniversary Concert (2025).
Organization Summary
CORE PROGRAMS/SERVICES:
In 2025, PSMEF marked its 30th Anniversary, celebrating three decades of service to the Bay Area community. This milestone anniversary also represented a turning point for PSMEF, as its long-time Artistic Director and several older artists retired. PSMEF’s Board had been preparing for this transition for several years, recruiting new Board members and artists in anticipation of these departures. PSMEF also hired its first Executive Director in January 2025.
As part of this leadership transition, PSMEF has recommitted to its original educational mission and decided to prioritize an enhanced community-based instructional program, while continuing to honor its commitment to performance. In mid-2025, PSMEF moved its core weekend program from Laney College to the Shoong Family Chinese Cultural Center (SFCCC), centrally located in the heart of Oakland’s Chinatown neighborhood, its primary service area. The revised weekend program, now called the Purple Silk Music Academy (PSMA), features a multi-tiered Chinese music education curriculum focused on intensive instruction in traditional Chinese musical instruments, taught by PSMEF’s staff of Chinese music specialists. Instruction is delivered in a small group format, providing in-depth, individualized instruction over time for each student. PSMA also emphasizes ensemble work and upper-level students participate in the Purple Silk Youth Orchestra and perform at community events throughout the year, including Chinese New Year’s celebrations.
PSMEF also introduced a new curriculum for its Artists-in-Schools (AIS) program, Introduction to Chinese Music, developed by a former K-12 educator. It is actively pursuing partnerships with Chinese immersion schools throughout the Bay Area, as well as sites with afterschool Mandarin programs.
Finally, in 2025, PSMEF piloted its first Summer Music Program (SMP) to counteract “summer learning loss” for students enrolled in its weekend program. In 2026, it will continue the SMP at SFCCC and introduce a shorter summer program at one partner school.
Doing Business As
PURPLE SILK MUSIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Address
1427 Willow St
Oakland
94607-1523
County
Alameda
Region
Bay Area – Other
sairina@purplesilk.org
Congressional District
California's 12th Congressional District
State Assembly District
District 18
State Senate District
District 7
