Free Music Academy of Silicon Valley

Welcome! We’re Matthew, Maria, and Lorenna, the founders of the Free Music Academy of Silicon Valley. Our nonprofit aims to address the longstanding socioeconomic and racial disparities in the world of classical music by providing free music lessons to under-resourced youth in the Silicon Valley region of California. The cost of private lessons in the area can be up to $100 per hour, creating a significant barrier for many families from disenfranchised backgrounds, and in turn contributing to the unfortunate disparities heavily prevalent. Matthew, our president, personally experienced this disparity, being one of the only Latin students in his musical groups growing up in Silicon Valley, where 20% of the overall population is of Hispanic/Latin descent.

This is where we come in. Inspired by already-existing programs like El Sistema, YOLA, and Sphinx, our academy offers our students with weekly lessons with a world-class trained musician, instruments as needed, and performance opportunities for students who might otherwise miss out. Classical is not only a timeless and beautiful form of art, it also enhances cognitive function, emotional expression, and life skills such as discipline and perseverance. With your support, we can help students find their voice, build confidence, and experience the transformative power of music, regardless of their background.