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 […]
“Yes, You’re a Composer”: Jono Kornfeld on Embracing the Creative Process
For many people, music composition can feel intimidating, especially at the beginning. But CMC faculty member Jono Kornfeld believes the creative process is something everyone can access, and that trial and error, mistakes, and growth should be normalized, especially for beginners unsure of their skills. “Even though we experience music as something linear and temporal, […]
Volunteer Spotlight: Why Stelly Kuo Keeps Coming Back to CMC
When Stelly Kuo first showed up to volunteer at CMC, she wasn’t nervous, she was excited. “I played in the school marching band for 10+ years. I wanted to see more kids getting excited about music.” That same energy still fuels her each time she returns to volunteer. Her journey began thanks to a workplace […]
Growing with Music: Ryan Rusali
On March 30th, the final performer in the CMC Richmond Branch Adult Recital was the twenty-four year-old Ryan Rusali, a long-time student of CMC Faculty Lilia Zheltova. Ryan’s powerful rendition of Chopin’s Scherzo No. 1 was met with thunderous applause, echoing the response he received for his performance at CMC’s Field Day. Today, Ryan’s skill […]
MDYMP Takes the Stage at Carnaval
Each spring, the streets of San Francisco’s Mission District come alive with celebrations during Carnaval San Francisco, a two-day festival that highlights the diversity of the city’s Latin American communities. This year, the Mission District Young Musicians Program (MDYMP)—a tuition-free CMC program that provides culturally relevant music training to Mission youth—will take the stage alongside […]
Field Day: Playing with a Purpose
When CMC’s annual Field Day rolls around, the campus buzzes with the joyful sounds of music, laughter, and connection. For CMC piano faculty member Christian Bonvin, the event is more than a performance opportunity—it’s a deeply meaningful expression of community and shared purpose. “Field Day is unique because it brings together the entire CMC community: […]
A Musical Evolution Rooted in Community: Daniel Brown
For Daniel Brown, a professional jazz musician and founder of the Richmond District’s beloved record store NOISE, the roots of his musical journey trace back to childhood lessons at CMC. Introduced to CMC by his fourth and fifth grade music teacher, Robert Daniels, Brown’s early experiences at both the Richmond District Branch and the Mission […]
Excellence in Every Note: The Piano Department at CMC
At CMC, piano students are guided by teachers who bring both deep experience and heartfelt dedication. The Piano Department is a place where students of all ages and backgrounds can grow in skill, confidence, and joy. Whether they’re beginners learning their first scales or advanced students preparing for conservatory auditions. Two of CMC’s outstanding piano […]
Reuben & Jessalynn: Voices of Change
As performer, activist, songwriter and scholar, Bernice Johnson Reagon so poignantly summed up: “when we sing, we announce our existence.” The ethos that music provides all of us a necessary tool for self expression, transformation, and community-building is one that Community Music Center holds dear in its mission, vision, and values. The tuition-free New Voices […]
A Family’s Legacy of Supporting Music Education at CMC
For decades, the Chiu family has been an integral part of CMC, and their unwavering commitment to making music accessible to all. We have been fully committed to the center’s growth and success. Their deep ties to CMC have left an indelible mark on its mission of offering high-quality music education to individuals of all […]