“The BMuz program has been a really big part of my life and my development as a musician. Up until I started at BMuz, music seemed very rigid to me and I only ever saw white violinists playing classical music. And I never saw myself reflected in that.” —BMuz high school mentor
Berkeley’s public schools are famous across the nation for growing outstanding young musicians. And for the second summer running, the Berkeley Public Schools Fund is proud to partner with BMuz, a program of the New Apollo Youth Symphony Orchestra (NAYSO), to broaden student access to their multi-day immersive music camps in Berkeley.
With support from the community, the Schools Fund is funding 40 full camper scholarships so that BUSD students who may not otherwise be able to access music camp can continue their musical development over the summer.
“The BMuz program has been a really big part of my life and my development as a musician,” noted a Berkeley High student who started playing violin in 4th grade, joined BMuz in 6th grade, and now works at BMuz as a high school Mentor. “Up until I started at BMuz, music seemed, like, very rigid to me and I only ever saw white violinists playing classical music. And I never saw myself reflected in that. But going to BMuz, I learned about different musicians from different backgrounds. I learned what I could do with my instrument. I got the experience to learn different ways, different types of music to play—like fiddle music and jazz and much more. And now as a Mentor, I get to pass that down to the next generation and show them that they can use their instruments for what they like.”
We are grateful to BMuz leader Shannon Houston (also a Longfellow music teacher), as well as the leadership of BUSD’s Visual and Performing Arts department for the myriad ways they are ensuring that the power of Berkeley’s educational opportunities in music legacy are accessible to all. BMuz summer ’24 registration is live!
Learn more about BMuz and consider joining the Schools Fund in your support for music enrichment for ALL. (Select “Music Scholarship Fund”)