Enriching Lives through Music (ELM)

Enriching Lives through Music (ELM) offers chorus, orchestra, chamber music, and parent music groups during the year. The program also runs a summer camp and concert series and provides scholarships for private lessons for exceptionally motivated students. Over the summer, ELM partnered with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra to co-host their second annual Summer Chamber Music Camp, where for two weeks students met every day to rehearse in small chamber music groups.

• Schedule: Over the summer, ELM partnered with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra to co-host a two-week Summer Chamber Music Camp where students met every day to rehearse in small chamber music groups.
• Price: ELM is a full childhood, full scholarship program for every student. There are no financial barriers to participation.

ELM began as a pilot project in 2008 and is a full scholarship, multi-year, intensive program. The program provides music education, ensemble, and performance opportunities to youth to develop the social, emotional, and academic skills they need to succeed in life. Executive Director Jane Kramer, Ph.D., previously held a research position at the University of California, San Francisco Institute for Adolescent Health Policy. ELM serves primarily Latino children and families who live in and attend school 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 to students for their entire childhood. ELM is committed to accessibility and is ADA compliant. Enriching Lives through Music is a 2021 Giving Marin grant recipient and was voted as one of the best in Marin County for educational nonprofits. The program was featured in Marin Magazine’s “Marin Gives Back 2023” feature and in a December Marin Gives Back feature with other local organizations such as Marine Mammal Center, Canal Alliance, and Vivalon. A portion of the proceeds from the Sweetwater Music Hall Arts Fund inaugural benefit gala will go to support ELM’s scholarship fund.

Last updated August 10, 2026.