With support from the California Arts Council, Community Music Center (CMC) will continue offering the tuition-free Mission District Young Musicians Program (MDYMP) to 25 primarily Latinx youth ages 11 – 18, outside of school time. This bilingual program is designed to engage and empower students through the music of Latin America. Youth receive a comprehensive Latin music education including private lessons, ensemble rehearsals, theory classes, and performances, with a focus on social-emotional learning and creative expression. MDYMP is critical to CMC’s efforts to amplify the voices of black and brown students and faculty. Inspired by their training and MDYMP’s Latinx teaching artists, students become skilled musicians, creative leaders, and community culture-bearers. This program’s NEA grant for FY2025 was terminated on May 2, 2025, and CMC does not expect its FY2026 request to be funded.