With support from the California Arts Council, MUSICIANS AT PLAY FOUNDATION (MAP) will expand access to tuition-free music education and mentorship for underserved Los Angeles-area youth. MAP provides instrumental, vocal and performance education programs aligned with California Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) standards fostering positive socio-emotional, behavioral, academic, and developmental outcomes.
Founded in 2015 by the family of renowned film composer John Williams, MAP is a vibrant community of world-class musicians and educators who partner with schools to offer tuition-free instrumental and vocal music instruction, coaching, and mentoring programs for youth ages 12-27 and free or low-cost professional community concerts in underserved communities. MAP also offers Career Technical Education training events and opportunities. It began with a single band class at New Roads HS in Santa Monica and has grown to include partnerships with schools and school districts in Burbank, Simi Valley, Los Angeles, Inglewood, and North Hills/Monroe Community. Over the past 10 years, MAP programs have impacted more than 41,000 students, teachers, parents, and community members.
Its core instructional program, Artists in Schools (Instrumental Youth Orchestra and Choir), is facilitated by accredited educators who are award-winning professional local musicians working in the film, concert hall, and recording industries in Los Angeles and globally. They provide mentorship and training through sequential workshops, culminating in public performances. Fourteen disciplines of music are taught, including Choral, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Horn, Sax, Clarinet, Flute, Percussion, Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin, and Piano. All programs align with California Visual & Performing Arts Standards.
In spring 2022, MAP launched the RISE, an annual multi-week, high-level musicianship training and recording experience offering exposure to career opportunities in film/TV. In 2024, MAP launched the Civic Orchestra of Los Angeles (CO-LA) to provide world-class training and performance opportunities for young pre-professional musicians. In April 2024, MAP was approved for a groundbreaking, federally recognized, registered apprenticeship for “Session Musician” and is working on including all instruments within this framework as we build employer partnerships.

