About
Play It Forward Music Foundation Programs offer music education and music lessons, including a Free Weekly Preschool Music Hour, performance opportunities, and an instrument exchange. The programs include community programs and school programs that connect instruments, instruction, and performance opportunities to people with limited access. The organization provides free instruments and free lessons to disadvantaged children and adults.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Price: $175 funds a month of lessons for students of all ages; $525 supports lessons for 3-months; $2,100 supports a music student for a year
Play It Forward Music Foundation is a nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to foster connection through music, providing programming, instruments, lessons, and performance opportunities to people with limited access. It serves both children and people of all ages throughout Sonoma County and provides free access to musical instruments and music lessons to disadvantaged children and adults. The foundation was born from a musician's vision in 2016 and started in 2017, and since 2017 it has championed a bold vision.
The leadership team includes Nick Simmons, President; Art Frengel, Secretary; Jennifer Frengalas; Dave Traver; Ronni Sullivan; and Guy Tillotson. Nick Simmons has been playing flute, guitar, and bass for 35 years and teaching music for almost 30 years. Art Frengel ran his own business for 40 years before retiring. Jennifer Frengalas has been teaching piano since she was 16 years old. Dave Traver is a retired lawyer with a career of helping people with disabilities. Ronni Sullivan is a retired electrician who fixes guitars. Guy Tillotson has skills as an educator, administrator, project manager, and volunteer.
Play It Forward Music Foundation provides a Free Weekly Preschool Music Hour and partners with New Horizon School in Santa Rosa and Journey Academy in Sebastopol, reaching young people who might otherwise never experience music education. Community partners support and amplify the mission, creating a network that allows music education to reach further, impact deeper, and transform more lives. Families and community members can donate an instrument, with messages such as “That guitar in your closet could be someone's gateway to self-expression” and “Your unused trumpet could become someone’s artistic voice.”
A parent testimonial states, “Johnny loves the cello. He works through his frustration instead of getting stuck. The smile and look on his face when he finally plays the piece correctly is amazing. Thank you for giving him this opportunity.”
Last updated March 28, 2026.
• Ages: 0–18 years old
• Price: $175 funds a month of lessons for students of all ages; $525 supports lessons for 3-months; $2,100 supports a music student for a year
Play It Forward Music Foundation is a nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to foster connection through music, providing programming, instruments, lessons, and performance opportunities to people with limited access. It serves both children and people of all ages throughout Sonoma County and provides free access to musical instruments and music lessons to disadvantaged children and adults. The foundation was born from a musician's vision in 2016 and started in 2017, and since 2017 it has championed a bold vision.
The leadership team includes Nick Simmons, President; Art Frengel, Secretary; Jennifer Frengalas; Dave Traver; Ronni Sullivan; and Guy Tillotson. Nick Simmons has been playing flute, guitar, and bass for 35 years and teaching music for almost 30 years. Art Frengel ran his own business for 40 years before retiring. Jennifer Frengalas has been teaching piano since she was 16 years old. Dave Traver is a retired lawyer with a career of helping people with disabilities. Ronni Sullivan is a retired electrician who fixes guitars. Guy Tillotson has skills as an educator, administrator, project manager, and volunteer.
Play It Forward Music Foundation provides a Free Weekly Preschool Music Hour and partners with New Horizon School in Santa Rosa and Journey Academy in Sebastopol, reaching young people who might otherwise never experience music education. Community partners support and amplify the mission, creating a network that allows music education to reach further, impact deeper, and transform more lives. Families and community members can donate an instrument, with messages such as “That guitar in your closet could be someone's gateway to self-expression” and “Your unused trumpet could become someone’s artistic voice.”
A parent testimonial states, “Johnny loves the cello. He works through his frustration instead of getting stuck. The smile and look on his face when he finally plays the piece correctly is amazing. Thank you for giving him this opportunity.”
Last updated March 28, 2026.
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