Source: Forbes Music education is more than an opportunity to nurture talent. It is a powerful developmental tool that boosts language and cognitive abilities in young children. A focus on developing this skill paves neural pathways that are essential for mastering complex subjects like math and science. And studies have shown that engaging in music, especially classical music training, enhances brain function in children by improving memory, focus, and planning skills. Yet, despite these benefits, music education is often treated as a privilege, not the fundamental right it should be. A reality that disproportionately affects youth from inner-city neighborhoods where funding is scarce ... Read More
Inner City Youth Orchestra LA
Inner City Youth Orchestra Plays Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA), founded and led by CSUDH Department of Music faculty member Charles “Chuck” Dickerson, performed on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Washington, DC, on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. The event was livestreamed on the center’s website. The performance was part of the prestigious venue’s “Social Impact” series, which offers free events several times a month to “reduce barriers to participation in the arts, celebrate the human spirit, and encourage intercultural understanding.” Founded in 2009, the ICYOLA seeks to transform the lives and minds of local young people through high quality music education, providing opportunities for ... Read More
