Kala and GITC/YMPCA Partnership

Through expanding its work in the schools and a new partnership with the YMCA, Guitars in the Classroom aims to bring music into the lives of even more children across the country this year. Guitars in the Classroom, a nonprofit music organization and 6-time NAMM Foundation grantee, has pledged to provide 100 instruments each year to YMCA’s after-school music instruction programs for use by children in need who could otherwise not participate in music classes.

“Working with our sponsors Kala Brand Music Company we are pleased to assist the YMCA to create musical access for children from every walk of life through their quality programs,” notes Jessica Baron, Founder and Executive Director of Guitars in the Classroom. “Through the YMCA National Headquarters, clubs can apply and qualify for instrumental support once a year and we will do our best to garner support from the Music Products Industry for this effort. This annual drive to help the Ys will strengthen YMCA programs while helping GITC build new pathways for music integration training in the local schools in the years ahead.”

Through Kala’s generosity, children will have an opportunity to play ukuleles in eight participating YMCAs across the country – in addition to GITC classrooms throughout California and Phoenix, Arizona. “GITC is glad to serve as an open door for any interested company to assist the YMCA music programs by donating instruments, accessories and gear to the clubs, in addition to requesting companies to support our programs in schools through donations of instruments for teacher training,” adds Ms. Baron. This school year, GITC is training teachers in every region of the country to lead music for learning in preschool through 12th grade classrooms.