Electric Music Foundation Music Education Programs

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Electric Moon Foundation ("EMF") addresses two main problems present in Los Angeles County: the lack of arts education in public schools; and the trauma facing youth who have experienced homelessness and abuse.
For decades, music education in California has been decreasing, strangled by budget cuts and an ongoing emphasis on core subjects such as reading and math. This is certainly the case in the LAUSD, and is particularly acute in Central Los Angeles.
EMF also addresses the trauma faced by children and youth in Los Angeles County who have experienced homelessness and abuse. Nonprofit organization Schools on Wheels reports that one third of all homeless persons in Los Angeles County are younger than 18, and in addition to dealing with PTSD, depression and other mental health issues, LA resident children and youth who have faced abuse and homelessness are more likely to repeat a grade in school, be placed in special education classes, or drop out of school entirely.

By providing a comprehensive introduction to playing instruments, writing songs, working in bands, and staging performances for homeless school-aged youth, EMF addresses the lack of music education available in Central Los Angeles public schools. Through the healing power of music, EMF also seeks to address the trauma children and youth face having experienced homelessness and abuse. We take a unique approach to teaching music, teaching not just the notes, but what is ‘between the notes’: the joy of music; the thrill of performance; the confidence of self-knowledge; and the tools to apply these newfound experiences to all aspects of life. EMF programs seek to find the areas in the lives of our youth participants where guidance and assistance is needed which we then provide through mentoring and the healing process of music. Our youth grow emotionally, psychologically and socially as we encourage them to work through their experiences and feelings through the creative process. The outcomes are potent songs and lyrics filled with messages of empowerment, diversity and encouragement: "Don't you stand in my way, just trying to make the day ok. You won't shake my tree, I'll stand tall cause that's just me and isn't that the way it's supposed to be? Love, Peace and Harmony." We provide vital and important lessons that give our youth participants a chance to heal and to use what they have learned in their everyday lives and in their communities.

Los Angeles County will be different if our LA2050 funded programs are successful in that 275/150????? more homeless youth and children will have gained skills and attitudes that help them to be more resilient in the face of the trauma they have faced in their young lives. This will help them do better in school, engage with their peers in a more constructive manner and spread their positive attitudes to family and community. Indeed, helping these youth will also help their mothers, usually their only caregivers, who face the constant stress of providing for and nurturing their offspring. We have testimonials from many mothers describing the joy their children gain from EMF programs, and we believe they gain self-confidence and hope as well. If our 2025 programs continue as expected, we would also be able to raise more funds allowing us to train more instructors and expand into other underserved, marginalized communities in Los Angeles, chief among them South Los Angeles.

EMF plans to survey participants before and after our programs. We will ask about their exposure to the arts, experience with music, engagement with school, stress levels, and social support networks, etc. We will also work closely with Midnight Mission and Alexandria House personnel to track the effects our programs.
In the mean time, we have many testimonials: "Hi Brent!! I am writing to you to say THANK YOU!!! [...] Alexandria House offered music classes to the after-school program and my daughter [joined and] was extremely happy!! OMG your classes brought so much happiness to my daughter and my family, she wanted to attend all of your musical classes, you built so much confidence into this little human, my daughter!! About 3 months ago, I received a message from you telling me that you had a violin for my daughter, we went to pick it up and she has been practicing every day!! Thank you Brent for making the kids' lives you work with even brighter, we are so grateful to you!!"