Martin Cohn: Supporting Music in the Bay Area for Over 25 Years
Martin Cohn and his wife Kathy have been longtime champions of Bay Area music and have supported Community Music Center since 1996. Martin has also served on the boards of Philharmonia Baroque and San Francisco Performances, showing his deep commitment to music in the community. His connection to CMC began through his role as a […]
Design CMC’s Next T-Shirt!
Calling all artists and creative minds—this is your chance to design Community Music Center’s next official t-shirt! We’re looking for artwork that celebrates what CMC means to you: music, community, and the joy of making music together. Here’s how it works: submit your design by Monday, September 22 to skoehler@sfcmc.org. CMC staff will review all submissions and select […]
Feel the Beat: CMC’s Percussion Classes Bring the World’s Rhythms to San Francisco
The Fall Quarter marks the beginning of a new academic year at CMC, and our percussion classes are ready to set the season in motion. Whether you’re drawn to the poetic traditions of Veracruz, the soulful pulse of Peru, or the vibrant grooves of Brazil, we invite you to explore drumming traditions that connect people […]
Your Chance to Explore Music
This August, CMC is inviting neighbors, families, and music enthusiasts to step inside and experience the joy of making music. Through a series of free Open House events for children, youth, and adults, participants can explore instruments, sample short classes, and get a feel for CMC’s welcoming learning environment before the Fall Quarter begins. From […]
Debbie and Emily: Inspiring Women Leading CMC’s Board with Purpose
At CMC, leadership means believing in the power of music, supporting the people who make it happen, and helping the community grow. As Debbie Chinn finishes her time as Board President, we thank her for all she has done to support CMC’s extraordinary growth. We are also thrilled to welcome her successor, Emily Berger, who […]
Why Piano Lessons Matter: Supporting Your Child’s Whole Development
For María Rosi García, a piano teacher at CMC, teaching music goes beyond technical skills: it’s about guiding children through their personal growth. She often works with students who arrive full of energy but struggle to stay focused. María explains that behaviors like getting up mid-piece to tell a story or difficulty following instructions are […]
Composed Fully of Love: Cal Lerchi’s Pride for New Voices Bay Area
As annual Pride Month festivities commence all across the nation, we are honored to spotlight the pride coming from our own CMC community. We connected with Cal Lerchi, an intersex and nonbinary singer who has been a member of the New Voices Bay Area TIGQ Chorus—a tuition-free mixed-voice choral ensemble for singers who self-identify as […]
Congratulations to our 2025-26 Merit Scholars and Recital Performers!
This May, a panel of CMC faculty and staff auditioned students for full scholarships for the next school year’s private lessons. These annual awards are based on need and merit. This year the jury heard dozens of young musicians play an extraordinarily diverse repertoire. The jury wishes to thank everyone who helped prepare students for […]
“I’d Like to Keep This a Secret…”: How a Yearly Rehearsal Space Pass Helped Tommy Yuan Grow as a Musician
When we spoke with Tommy Yuan about his experience using a yearly rehearsal space pass at CMC, he didn’t hold back about how much it has meant to his musical growth. “Having a yearly rehearsal space pass has been a game changer for my practice routine,” Tommy told us. “It gave me a private space […]
Free Summer Concerts at CMC: The 2025 Shenson Faculty Concert Series
This summer, CMC invites you to enjoy the 2025 Shenson Faculty Concert Series, a special lineup of four evenings featuring live music performed by CMC’s exceptional faculty. These free concerts are made possible through the generous support of the Shenson Foundation, a long-time champion of the arts in the Bay Area. Thanks to the Foundation’s […]