Our Vision

 

Sound Art is unique in that we do not have, nor do we desire an expensive building or fixed location. Our instructors travel to the sites we serve and engage neighborhoods instead of requiring students to come to us. The result is a program that is mobile, flexible and part of the community. We offer programs at all grade levels, during and after school, at community centers, juvenile detention centers and camps. Our goal is to link existing community resources using the vehicle of music.

 

Sound Art instructors are all professional, working musicians and teach in teams of two, which allows for personal attention and group instruction. Our approach to teaching music encourages mentor relationships and an atmosphere of shared learning. We take ideas that are typically covered in college or music conservatories and break them down for children who don’t understand musical jargon, but can hear the concepts in the music.

 

Every community that we serve has a strong musical culture. We use this culture as a common starting point to demonstrate fundamental musical skills. Using music that is culturally relevant to our students assures an instantaneous emotional commitment to learning and validates our students’ experiences, giving them the confidence to succeed.

 

Sound Art serves the inner city neighborhoods where enrichment programs are most scarce. With continuing budget cuts across school systems, music, arts and other extra-curricular programs have been hard hit. Yet studies show that music education leads to improved overall academic performance and improves at-risk students’ drop-out rates. Even further, music education is shown to build self-esteem, self-direction and confidence among children and youth.

 

The typical neighborhood that we serve is approximately 90% non-white and poor. More than half of adult residents 25 years or older have a 9th grade education or less. At local high schools, more than one-third of students drop out before earning a diploma . The economy in these neighborhoods is severely depressed, with nearly 35% of families earning below the Federal Poverty Level.

 

Our students have little or no access to programs that promote positive self-expression within their neighborhoods. In an environment with few positive alternatives, many turn to gangs, drugs or crime. When we bring a Sound Art class to these kids, we teach them to express themselves creatively, take responsibility for their lives and show them they can succeed. The simple task of acquiring the self-disciple and motivation to learn music informs and naturally enhances their ability to make choices based on positive rather than negative influences.

 

Catherine Goldwyn

Executive Director and Founder

 

Jenny Kaczorowski

Grant Writer and Office Manager

 

Nils de Mol van Otterloo

Program Director

Elaine Sir - Board Secretary

Manager, Music Licensing

Fox Music, Inc.

Tarzana, CA

 

Susan Morris - Board Treasurer

CPA, CFE

Laguna Hills, CA

 

 

Gary Burton

Grammy Award winning vibraphonist

Fort Lauderdale, FL

 

Bob Belak

Entrepeneur

Arbus Corporation

Phoenix, AZ

 

Norm Timmins

Wealth Consultant

San Diego, CA

 

Catherine Farnham

Marina del Rey, CA