Enriching Lives through Music

Enriching Lives through Music offers chorus, orchestra, chamber music, parent music groups, a summer camp, and a concert series. The program also runs a Summer Chamber Music Camp, where students rehearse and perform chamber music.

• Schedule: For two weeks, students met everyday to rehearse in small chamber music groups.
• Price: ELM is a full childhood, full scholarship program for every student.

Enriching Lives through Music provides youth with an immersive music education and resources that inspire and empower them to pursue their dreams. The program is a full scholarship, multi-year, intensive program that includes music education, ensemble, and performance activities such as chorus, orchestra, chamber music, and parent music groups, along with a summer camp and concert series. It provides scholarships for private lessons for exceptionally motivated students, and there are no financial barriers to participation. ELM is committed to accessibility and is ADA compliant. ELM serves primarily Latino children and families in the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael, an area of socioeconomic disadvantage, and addresses the academic achievement gap by providing full scholarships and academic support for students’ entire childhood. elmCATS is an accelerated program for select ELM students who exhibit exceptional commitment and talent, and the program is influenced by the El Sistema model from Venezuela.

Executive Director Jane Kramer, Ph.D., leads the program and previously held a research position at the University of California, San Francisco Institute for Adolescent Health Policy. ELM began as a pilot project in 2008. ELM partnered with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra to co-host their second annual Summer Chamber Music Camp. ELM was featured or highlighted in Marin Magazine, Marin Independent Journal, San Francisco Classical Voice, ABC7 Bay Area, Marinlocalnews, Marin East Bay Times, Marin Living Magazine, Marin Arts Website, WithItGirl, Marinscope, and Giving Marin. ELM received support and recognition from Lucasfilm’s Doug Chiang and his wife Liz, and a portion of the proceeds from a Sweetwater Music Hall Arts Fund benefit gala featuring Bob Weir goes to support ELM’s scholarship fund. ELM was voted as one of the best in Marin County for educational nonprofits and is a 2021 Giving Marin grant recipient.

Last updated June 19, 2026.