More Than Just Jingle Bells: Renaissance Roots and Live Jazz
If you want to escape the typical “Jingle Bells” loop this season, CMC has two solid options coming up. They’re bringing together distinctive Eastern and Western sounds for a celebration that feels both timeless and lively. The Winter Celebration: From Renaissance to Hans Zimmer On December 21, faculty member Shirley Wong-Frentzel leads the Annual Winter […]
A New City, a New Studio: Alex Belkin Finds Home at CMC
Moving to a new city involves a thousand logistical hurdles, but for a musician, one challenge looms larger than the rest: finding a place to practice freely. For Alex Belkin, a saxophonist who recently relocated to San Francisco, the search for a sanctuary to practice his craft led him to CMC in the Mission District. […]
Warm Up With Music: New Piano Tutorials Offer Quick Start for Beginners This Winter
If you have been thinking about adding more creativity and joy to your daily life, learning the piano is the perfect place to start. Winter often encourages us to find cozy indoor activities, and there is no better time to dedicate yourself to learning a new skill. We know taking the first step is often […]
Steve Shapiro: 33 Years of Music and Community at CMC
When Steve Shapiro first moved to San Francisco, he was not familiar with Community Music Center. A friend in Bolinas, who happened to be CMC’s sixth Executive Director and who was moving on from CMC, suggested he apply for the job. After an interview with the board, Steve realized it was a perfect fit—for him […]
CMC & SFJAZZ Announce New Partnership
As part of the SFJAZZ Digital Lab series, CMC is excited to offer a new tuition-free, 12-week hands-on music production course for youth, led by acclaimed producer and songwriter Pablo Quintero, beginning January 2026. January–March 2026 This new program expands CMC’s mission to make high-quality music education accessible to students of all ages, backgrounds, and […]
Neighborhood Choir Program Performances Spread Joy and Song in December
CMC singers and partners are celebrating the end of the year in song with free performances throughout San Francisco this December. These events feature the spirited singers from CMC’s Neighborhood Choir Program for Older Adults & Adults with Disabilities and an array of musical genres from Latin, jazz, show tunes, gospel, oldies, traditional folk and […]
Family Band “4 Days” Shines at CMC’s Open Mic
One of the most memorable performances at CMC’s recent Open Mic came from 4 Days, a family band that includes CMC student Sara Jiménez López. Their energy and the unique dynamic of a family performing together made it one of the standout moments of the night. For Sara and her family, performing at the Open […]
Celebrate the Holidays with “Navidad en la Misión”: A Joyful Musical Tradition Returns
This December, CMC invites everyone to celebrate the season with Navidad en la Misión, a joyful concert that brings together the sounds, rhythms, and traditions of Christmas from Spain and Latin America. The event will take place on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 4:00 pm at Mission Dolores Basilica in San Francisco. Building on the […]
Be Part of the Music: Volunteer at CMC
From concerts to gardening days, Field Day, and the annual Gala, volunteers help make the magic of CMC possible. Whether it’s greeting guests, helping with the auction, or setting up for a concert, every volunteer plays a role in connecting people through music. For volunteer John Jones, being part of CMC has been a rewarding […]
Val Abrego’s Story
At a young age, Val Abrego always loved music and dreamed of being a rock star, but they were incredibly shy and not sure they could overcome that. They began as a piano student at CMC, then joined the tuition-free Children’s Chorus, and eventually focused on private voice lessons, for which they earned a merit […]