A key component of Law Rocks’ mission is to promote music education for underserved youth. In 2023, due to our increased sponsorship and fundraising, Law Rocks was able to offer a new grant at each Law Rocks show: The Music Matters grant. This grant, continuing in 2024, is given to a local nonprofit that supports youth music education in each of our U.S. tour cities. Omi Crawford, director of Law Rocks, says of the grant initiative:
“Since our 2009 founding, Law Rocks has supported hundreds of incredible nonprofits, with an emphasis on youth music education organizations. The Music Matters grant is a natural evolution of our mission and a chance to formalize our support of amazing music education nonprofits across the country.”
Today’s spotlight is on 2024 Law Rocks Los Angeles Music Matters grant recipient, Silverlake Conservatory of Music (SCM). The Mission of SCM is “to facilitate a dynamic music education and to teach beginning and accomplished musicians of all skill levels.” The organization strives to “address the decrease in arts education in schools while providing cultural enrichment to our community at large.” These efforts are what our Music Matters grant is all about, and we are pleased to shine a light on this incredible organization today.
Keep reading to learn more in our spotlight interview with Jennifer Rey, Director of Silverlake Conservatory of Music.
1) Can you tell us a little about the history of your nonprofit, as well as its mission and focus?
“Silverlake Conservatory of Music was established in 2001 by founders Flea (of RHCP) and longtime friend, musician and educator Keith Barry. After severe cutbacks to music education in the public school system and, feeling passionately about the benefits of music education, the pair decided to create a school that would fill that void in children’s lives and become a community hub. For the past 23 years, SCM has been serving the Los Angeles community at large, offering affordable and exceptional music lessons to students of all ages with a primary focus on the youth (ages 0-18 years). We offer private music lessons on all orchestral and band instruments, including voice, as well as a variety of ensemble classes. We grant scholarships to children who qualify, providing free weekly private lessons, instruments, supplies, ensemble classes and summer camp registration. Our goal is to keep our standard of teaching at the highest level while maintaining a friendly, fun and nurturing environment. We believe the study of music enriches not only the lives of the student and teacher, but the community and society as well.”
2024 Los Angeles Music Matters Grant Recipient: Silverlake Conservatory of Music
2) What is the best example of the way you’ve seen your organization’s work make a difference?
“Our organization strives to create community through music. We see this in action everyday in our lobby as parents and kids alike hang out and connect waiting for their music lessons. We see this in friendships made through our ensemble classes. We see this in the relationship between teacher and students. Our students are encouraged to take ownership of their lessons, their studies. To try and try again. They accomplish confidence in their skills and creativity. SCM allows students the space to be who they are and who they want to be.”
Photo courtesy of Silverlake Conservatory of Music
3) What are some upcoming initiatives that you are planning for?
“We are currently working toward expanding our programming, increasing our scholarship student count and the number of private lessons we offer. We are actively working on fostering a sense of community within our scholarship program. Our goal for the remainder of this year is to engage our families and maintain a strong roster of students receiving free music education here at SCM.”
4) What is the greatest challenge your organization faces?
“The greatest challenge SCM faces would have to be fundraising. Each year we must raise $1.5 million to provide our programming. This is a great challenge to have as it means we are providing more and more services for the community at large and especially to the 40% of our students who are on full scholarship.”
Photo courtesy of Silverlake Conservatory of Music
5) What does the power of music mean to you?
“Music is a universal language that is innate to all cultures. It unites through sound and rhythm. It speaks to our emotions. It is the backbone of civilization.”
6) How will the Music Matters grant be used?
“The Music Matters grant will be used toward repairs of scholarship instruments. All SCM scholarship students receive free instruments, lessons and supplies. Any repairs for scholarship students are fully covered by SCM and this funding will be an extraordinary help with these costs.”
Learn more about Silverlake Conservatory of Music.