-The Watts Willowbrook Music Academy is a collaboration with multiple organizations in South LA. In sequential group classes taught by professional musicians at each site, students ages 7-18 learn to playing violin, viola, cello and bass. Instruction is offered at the beginning, continuing and advanced levels.
-The Watts Willowbrook Youth Orchestra is an ensemble of 50+ young musicians drawn from the group classes of the Watts Willowbrook Music Academy, alumni of the program, and students from music instruction programs at nearby elementary, middle and high schools. Students learn, rehearse and perform classical music, music from film and theater, folk and world music, and popular and jazz standards, every Saturday for 47 weeks a year. Twice a year, the Orchestra performs at the Salvation Army Siemon Community Center in South Los Angeles for an audience of more than150 family members, peers, and members of the community.
-Weekly Music Workshops bring general musical education to students ages 7-18 after school at community sites. The goal is to develop the children’s understanding and appreciation of music by learning to read music, playing instruments and singing.
-In the Senior Musical Arts program, adults ages 55 and older learn to play piano, sing, and read and interpret music in free, weekly, year-round classes provided at senior centers located in very low income communities in South Los Angeles. The program is taught by a professional musician and certified music therapist.