SAN DIEGO — A San Diego non-profit organization believes the gift of music is too important to come with a price tag. In this Zevely Zone, I saw firsthand how music is meant for everyone.
At Villa Musica, the non-profit organization shares their passion for music by offering individual music instruction, group classes, community ensembles, and performance opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds.
The non-profit receives money for lessons when students can afford to pay, but also offers a program that is free of charge. At the Logan Heights Library, there are plenty of free books and something else that will be music to your ears.
That is where we met a class of six and seven-year-olds learning how to play the violin for free.
Sometimes the smaller you are, the bigger you dream. Six-year-old Santiago had no idea his class was free or the violin that came with it. When they gave him a violin to take home he was surprised. "I thought it was great," said Santiago.
"The most important part about what we do is access," said Fiona Chatwin, Founder of Villa Musica. Fiona says they have a main campus in Sorrento Valley. "But it's hard to get there and a lot of families in low-income neighborhoods work until 6 o'clock. It's hard for them to get to us and so we thought why don't just go there. We will go to them," said Fiona.
Free music classes are offered to hundreds of children living in five underserved neighborhoods. Violinist Luis Dorame sees himself in every student. He told us he grew up in a family that needed a little assistance. "Absolutely, I grew up in City Heights and my mom was a single mom for a little bit," said Luis.
We also met 6-year-old Sophia. The violin in her hands was her first musical instrument. What did she think when they handed her a violin and told you that it was hers to borrow and take home? "I felt excited," said Sophia.
Her mother Romina Hernandez says learning the violin just wasn't in the budget. "Oh, I was so excited because I never considered having that opportunity for her," said Romina. "I just feel like it's a great exposure for her, just for her future."
Villa Musica teaches music to people of all ages and backgrounds hoping that someday they can play like Luis. The music teacher and performer once thought playing classical music was impossible, but a degree doing just that at San Diego State followed.
"It feels amazing actually," said Luis. "Sharing joy, sharing the music, sharing the love for music, the love for humanity."
As for Santiago, mastering a classical instrument is just the first of life's many possibilities. He wants to be a scientist when he grows up. "Violins are kind of like reading a book, like creating something you never created in your life," said Santiago.
Villa Musica makes music accessible through education, performance, and community engagement.
Founded as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation in November 2005, Villa Musica is a gathering place where people can take music lessons, play in an ensemble, or participate in a workshop.
Villa Musica's goal is to create a focal point for community music education in San Diego, where students and teachers can meet to exchange ideas and experience the joy of making music. By creating a supportive and creative environment for the study of music, we aim to inspire many San Diegans to make music making part of their lives.
Although the violin lessons we watched were free, Villa Musica does charge for music instruction to people of all ages and backgrounds. If you want to learn more about their many programs, click here.
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