Ready to Jam? CMC’s Summer Jazz Workshop Returns
For local musicians looking to sharpen their improvisation skills, CMC is bringing back its popular Summer Jazz Workshop. Designed for adults and high school students, the workshop focuses heavily on small group playing, pulling students out of the practice room and onto the bandstand. Max Yoshimoto, a student from a previous year, knows the feeling […]
Game On: CMC Launches First-Ever ‘Pianolympics’ for Young Musicians
Piano lessons often make people think of quiet recital halls and serious solo performances. But this Sunday March 8, CMC is changing that with the first-ever Pianolympics. The event will take place in CMC’s new Piano Lab and will turn music theory into a fun, high-energy game. It’s designed especially for beginners ages 8 to […]
Make Music, Make Friends: Summer 2026 Starts Now!
It’s almost that time of year again! The classrooms of our Mission District Branch are about to fill with the sounds of tuning violins, rhythmic drumming, and young voices finding their range. While school doors close for the summer, our doors at 544 Capp Street open to a world of musical possibility. We provide a […]
From the Boardroom to the CMC Stage: Meet David Neuman
For twelve years, David Neuman helped shape the future of CMC as a member of the board of directors. This February, he will take the stage at 544 Capp Street as a performer, continuing his long relationship with the organization he considers his “musical home.” “As a serious amateur musician who always made room in […]
Remembering Betty Wong
On December 13, 2025, we lost a legend and community pillar. Betty Anne (siujunn-:bood:) Wong passed away, leaving behind a 64-year legacy at CMC that simply cannot be replaced. However, Betty was never one to be pinned down to a single style or genre of music. One day, you might find Betty in Room 5 […]
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 […]