“I don’t sing because I’m happy. I’m happy because I sing.” ― William James There are few joys as accessible as singing—whether it’s singing along to the radio, joining a community choir, singing a bedtime lullaby to a child, or just in the privacy of your own shower—it’s the only instrument that’s part of yourself. Songs are endless avenues for storytelling, self-expression, connecting with cultural traditions, and unifying groups across many different styles and backgrounds. But it can be hard to know where to start if you want to pursue becoming a better singer. Should you start with voice ..read more

Vance Maverick, a composition student at CMC, is ready to debut his first opera this June at the CMC Concert Hall in the Mission. His path to this achievement has been marked by dedication, collaboration, and support from the community. Maverick’s passion for musical composition began at 13 when he discovered the Bach Brandenburg Concerti. Although he pursued other interests, including a career in computer science, his love for composition persisted. In 2017, he decided to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a composer and turned to us for guidance. Under the mentorship of Jono Kornfeld, a ..read more

Creating community through music, especially through singing, is an incredible gift that we all possess. We have this amazing ability to connect through communal music-making, communal creation, and shared purpose, and it’s something that is perfectly encapsulated in choir and choral settings. It’s such a refreshing and soul-releasing opportunity that we have, becoming an amazing community space that people not only enjoy but in many cases truly need as a place to connect with other trans people, to collaborate with other trans people, and to create something new with other trans people. Wheth ..read more

San Francisco, CA – The Community Music Center is proud to announce its expanded Mission Branch Campus, a historic milestone for the organization. The new state-of-the-art facility, situated in San Francisco’s Mission district, underscores CMC’s century-long commitment to music education and community engagement. “We’re excited to celebrate the grand opening of our expanded campus, reflecting our dedication to preserving the neighborhood’s history and fostering music education,” said Executive Director Julie Rulyak Steinberg. The expanded campus will provide access to 900 additional students a ..read more

If you ever want to know anything about what people have gone through, in writing it can be manipulated and changed. And we know that we have seen narratives changed over and over throughout the years. But one thing you cannot change is the music, the music has always told the story. – Maestro Curtis, PhD, faculty member at CMC.  Black music in the United States holds a significant role as a mirror reflecting the cultural, social, and political experiences of the Black community. This musical tradition, spanning various genres, has been instrumental in shaping American popular culture a ..read more

If you ever want to know anything about what people have gone through, in writing it can be manipulated and changed. And we know that we have seen narratives changed over and over throughout the years. But one thing you cannot change is the music, the music has always told the story. – Maestro Curtis, PhD, faculty member at CMC.  Black music in the United States holds a significant role as a mirror reflecting the cultural, social, and political experiences of the Black community. This musical tradition, spanning various genres, has been instrumental in shaping American popular culture and ..read more

Learning to play the piano can be an exciting and rewarding journey, but like any skill, it comes with its own challenges. As a beginner, it is important to be aware of common mistakes that can hinder your progress and diminish the enjoyment of your musical activity. By recognizing and addressing these obstacles from the start, you will be able to set yourself on the path to becoming a more competent and confident pianist:  Skipping Fundamentals: One of the most common mistakes beginners make is skipping or neglecting the basic fundamentals of piano playing. It may be tempting to jump int ..read more

Join us Sunday, February 25 from 3–5pm! We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of the CMC Mission District Expanded Campus in January 2024! This expansion marks a significant milestone for the Community Music Center, and we invite you to join us in celebrating this momentous occasion. Come for a free, fun, and family-friendly Grand Opening Open House on February 25 from 3–5 pm. Rediscover CMC, explore our newly expanded campus, and experience a range of musical opportunities for musicians of all ages! Both kids and adults can take a free demo class, join a jam session, and enjoy outdoor ..read more

Friday, March 8, 2024, Palace Hotel SF Save the date for an upscale evening of music and celebration of CMC’s mission to provide music for everyone. All proceeds support CMC’s mission to make high-quality music education accessible to all people, regardless of financial means. Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2024 Gertrude Field Community Impact Award Honoree! Gala Updates For questions about sponsorship, contact Elenka Refsell at 415-647-6015 x178 or erefsell@sfcmc.org ..read more

By Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig Article in The Bold Italic, September 13, 2023 There is a lot of truth to the proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” — especially when it comes to helping that child find and cultivate their talents and interests. One such “village” is a collective of teachers, mentors and musicians who have been doing just that for more than 100 years at the Community Music Center. Read Article ..read more