Inspiring Notes Makes Up For Budget Cuts In Music Education
SAN FERNANDO VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — An after-school enrichment program in the San Fernando Valley is making up for budget cuts in public school music education.
Inspiring Notes, a 501(c)3 organization, is the first of its kind in the valley, filling the gap left in local schools forced to cut back on in-school arts programs.
Music educators and professionals are helping to enhance arts education by offering after-school music lessons.
Those volunteering for the program say its benefits extend beyond just learning to play an instrument.
"Music is more than just music and performing. It touches a child's life intellectually as well as emotionally," mentor and veteran musician Phyllis Newman told KCAL9's Stephanie Simmons.
"If you give a child a musical instrument, they're not going to look for drugs or guns or anything like that because they are involved in creating something wonderful."
The program focuses on elementary schools in the area.
Inspiring Notes President Marge Roten said she hopes that emphasis will help to raise interest in younger students who have fewer opportunities for music education in the classroom.
The program also offers mentorship through the high school level.
More information about Inspiring Notes can be found on the organization's website.
