At the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Young Musicians Program, Jorge Milla leads a rehearsal. Photo by Shafkat Anowar/The Dallas Morning News.
In Wednesday’s (12/18) KERA News (Dallas), Elizabeth Myong writes, “Caely Rodriguez is one of about 300 students who are a part of the Kim Noltemy Young Musicians Program, which provides free lessons and instruments to students in southern Dallas. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays year-round, the program teaches students at five southern Dallas locations: Ebby Halliday Elementary, Maria Moreno Elementary, Ascher Silberstein Elementary, Trinity Basin Prep Ledbetter campus, and Owenwood Farm & Neighborhood Space. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the program, which has survived the pandemic and provided free arts education as programs across the state have faced budget cuts. Fort Worth Independent School District cut $1.2 million from its upcoming visual and performing arts budget for the 2024-25 school year … Music education has proved to have positive effects on adolescents, like increased confidence, creativity and mental and emotional well-being, according to a 2023 research study from the University of Southern California. Students in the program learn life lessons, including how to embrace and encourage their neighbors, accept their strengths and weaknesses, and show up on days they don’t want to…. Behind the scenes, more than 25 music teachers champion the students’ growth.”
