Since its inception in 2015, Music Mission San Francisco (MMSF) has provided free, high-quality after-school music education to underserved children (ages 7-14) in San Francisco’s Mission District. Operating primarily from the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts (MCCLA), MMSF established itself as a vital community resource, consistently offering around 60 classes annually and enriching the community with two to three public student concerts each year. Our commitment to accessibility was formalized in 2020 when Music Mission San Francisco officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Our program has demonstrated consistent growth and adaptability. During the 2019-20 school year, prior to the pandemic, MMSF provided intensive instruction (four hours per week) in violin, cello, and choir to 45 students, organized into five distinct skill levels.

When the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a shift in approach, MMSF demonstrated resilience by transitioning to online instruction, ensuring continuity of learning for our students during a challenging period. We proudly returned to in-person learning for the 2022-2023 school year.

The 2023-24 school year marked a significant expansion. In addition to our established programs at MCCLA, MMSF opened a second site at the Community Music Center (CMC), introducing instruction in flute, clarinet, trumpet, and trombone.

This growth trajectory continued into the 2024-25 school year, where MMSF achieved a record-high enrollment of 53 students.

Beyond regular instruction and concerts, MMSF enriches the student experience by occasionally hosting professional musicians who perform for and with our students. Furthermore, students and their parents have been offered unique opportunities to attend rehearsals by the San Francisco Youth Symphony, broadening their exposure to the wider musical world.

Throughout our history, Music Mission San Francisco has remained steadfast in its commitment to removing financial barriers: the entire program, including the provision of musical instruments, is offered free of charge to all participating families.