The Lysy Fellowship

Income inequality

West LA City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit) County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

A high quality, comprehensive music education is entirely out of reach for low-income families and barely attainable to the middle class. Tuition for individual lessons, group ensemble classes, music theory, and chamber music costs approximately $7,000 annually. Whilst SOL-LA works to keep tuition as low and affordable as possible for its students, we have seen a growing disparity in achievement between those who can afford our full program, and those who can only afford the bare minimum. While there are many music programs that offer a free music education in Los Angeles, most do not address individual instruction, the most critical component for a student's ongoing success on their instrument.

Empowering the Next Generation of Musicians and Leaders
The SOL-LA Fellowship offers highly motivated middle and high school students from underserved communities the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive, tuition-free music education at SOL-LA Music Academy, a leader in community-based music instruction.
Fellows engage in a rich and holistic curriculum that includes private instruction, chamber music, ensemble participation, music theory, and our signature wellness and communication course, Bravura: Musical Expression & Wellness. Fellows also take part in community engagement and performance opportunities.
Fellows become ambassadors for SOL-LA, representing the Academy in their schools and communities while developing leadership skills and confidence.
What Fellows Receive
20 private instrumental lessons (45 minutes each)
Music theory instruction
Chamber music coachings
Ensemble experience
Bravura: Musical Expression & Wellness – A course focused on performance, confidence, and well-being
Performance opportunities
Ongoing mentorship and individualized support for long-term musical development
Eligibility
Open to middle and high school students.
Students must demonstrate a commitment to music study
Family must be willing to partner with SOL-LA in supporting the student’s musical journey.
Students must participate in all assigned Saturday classes and commit for one year.
Priority is given to low-income families whose gross annual income must not exceed $98,000

SOL-LA will change the lives of families who cannot afford a top-tier music education. These students and families will not only participate in instruction at SOL-LA, but will find a sense of belonging in our community. Through the study of music, students can find true community, make new friends, build self-confidence, learn consistency, and have wonderful, rigorous and collaborative experiences creating music. The Lysy Fellowship will also support entry to higher-education for our graduates, as colleges tend to favor students who show four years of successful dedication to a discipline.
"Research shows that music education improves cognitive skills, enhances memory, and boosts academic performance, laying a foundation for lifelong success." – American Psychological Association