Neighborhood Music School

Founded in 1914, Neighborhood Music School has dedicated over a century to transforming lives through accessible, high-quality music education. Our mission centers on providing low-cost, one-on-one instruction in piano, violin, cello, guitar, and more than a dozen instruments, fostering confidence, academic success, and lifelong musical appreciation. Located in a historic Victorian house in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, we serve nearly 350 students monthly while maintaining deep community ties through recitals, outreach programs, and intergenerational events. Our teaching artistsprofessional musicians and educatorsemploy mentorship-driven methods to cultivate technical excellence and creative expression. With a legacy rooted in the settlement movements principles of equity, we continue bridging cultural and socioeconomic gaps through music, offering scholarships, performance opportunities, and partnerships with local institutions.

Our restored 19th-century facility, listed in architectural archives, houses eight practice rooms and hosts monthly Showtime recitals, annual galas, and community festivals. As a nonprofit, we prioritize civic engagement, regularly performing at hospitals and retirement communities to instill students with purpose and social responsibility. Our century-long commitment to Los Angeles diverse communities remains unwavering, ensuring music remains a catalyst for personal growth and collective connection.