The majority of the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra impact is through the City Heights Music School (CHMS). As an overview, we 1) foster excellence in the arts for all ages through weekly classes, performance ensembles, and day camps, 2) provide a community center for arts learning, and 3) invest in public education through teacher training and in the family through parent education and support. All programs and events take place at our City Heights Music School (CHMS) location in the underserved community of City Heights, unless otherwise noted.

Summer Programs – In 2024, CHMS offers a free Level Up Summer Sights and Sounds camp, funded by the San Diego Foundation, to an anticipated 200 5th-8th grade students at Wilson Middle school in City Heights. A 3-week series of low-fee multi-art day camps is expected to reach 200 TK-12th grades at the CHMS location. A free 3-week multi-arts camp, funded by South Bay Union School District, is offered at Mendoza and Nicoloff Elementary schools for an estimated 500 2nd-8th graders.

Year-round Programs – Community music classes (piano, guitar, violin, voice, ukulele, drums, and Mariachi), plus Early Childhood, visual art, Ballet Folklorico, and hip-hop dance classes, reach 200+ students of all ages in 10-week sessions of 30-minute to 2-hr weekly classes. Fees range from $0 to $200 per session. Scholarships and instruments are available.

January to June – A 15- to 20-week in-school, in-person Music123 session educates more than 1200 students in grades TK-5 with World Music, art, ukulele, keyboard, and recorder classes. After-school programs include Mariachi, HipHop, drums, and art.

Teacher Training: A comprehensive teacher training program offers a structured pathway for aspiring educators, beginning with a 5-week apprenticeship, progressing to a 10-week paid teaching assistant role, and culminating in the development of proficient teachers dedicated to positively impacting student lives.