Play for Music Education

DCYOP’s Young Virtuosi inaugural Generations Concert-celebrating 65 years of transforming young lives through music✨🎻
We performed kingside special guest DR. Chris Royal, a DCYOP Alum, Board Member, Howard University Professor and accomplished professional trumpet player.
So grateful to be part of this legacy and to share the stage with living proof of what’s possible when you invest in young musicians 💫

Today is a day to celebrate the incredible work our moms, Menchu & Stela, do behind the scenes every single da —the work that so many people never get to see, but never goes unnoticed by us. From the constant support and encouragement to everything they do to help make our events and opportunities possible, we truly could not do this without them. Happy Mother’s Day from Play for Music Education 🤍

A few weeks ago, we brought our Play for Music Education Initiative to the amazing students at John Lewis Elementary! 🎶✨

We introduced our instruments, shared fun facts, and played a games where students guessed emotions expressed through music. Their imaginations stole the show:

“This literally makes me feel like I’m skipping down a hill at sunset.” 🌄
“This sounds like something you’d play for a ballerina.” 🩰

The room was buzzing with curiosity, laughter, and endless questions — plus a few encore requests, of course 😄

Huge thanks to Ms. Joanna Ramirez and for making this joyful experience possible.

Every parent of a young musician has heard it at least once: I want to quit. 🎶 Swipe through to learn how you can help your child push through — because the kids who stick with it are glad they did. More resources for parents at our website. 🔗 Link in bio.

Closing out Music in Our Schools Month with a full heart. 💙 To every teacher, conductor, chamber coach, and masterclass artist who has been part of our musical story , whether for years, a summer, or just an afternoon - your impact runs deeper than you know. To those who taught us to play the first notes, those who refused to let the music stop during the pandemic and kept teaching through Zoom or outdoors, and those who support us now on stage - THANK YOU!
Thank you for showing up, sharing your gift, and keeping the music going in our lives.

If you saw our last post, you know where we just came from.

We are grateful to Senator Booker’s office and especially, Dr. Juan Rios, for making space for two DC public high school students to come in and make our case. And our case was specific: DC residents need this bill more than anyone.

Most states have elected officials who can be held accountable for what happens to arts funding in their schools. DC families pay the same federal taxes but have no voting representation in Congress to create that pressure. That is not a criticism of our leaders; it is a structural reality. And it is exactly why federal tools like the GAAME Act matter so much here.

There is a common assumption that music competes with “real” education. The research says otherwise. Music instruction that builds progressively over time, with dedicated teachers, instruments, and a program that grows with the student, is associated with stronger math scores, improved reading, lower absenteeism, and better social-emotional outcomes. Music education is not a break from learning. It is learning. It is education.

Play for Music Education connects DC families to programs that exist outside the school system. That work matters. But our hope is that one day, no child in DC will have to leave school to access these benefits. The GAAME Act moves toward that.

Swipe to see why. Share if you want others to know.

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MusicIsEducation PlayForMusicEducation

Join me in wishing a very Happy Birthday to Santi, co-founder of Play for Music Education and my music buddy!
He’s eager, dedicated, and funny, and loves math as much as he loves music (especially Mahler, which he will talk about for hours if you let him).
We went to the same elementary and middle school, but it was music and orchestra that actually made us friends. Now we spend so much time working on this initiative and rehearsing together that we see each other sometimes way too much. 😅
But here’s the truth: I wouldn’t have started Play for Music Education with anyone else. It’s the commitment and willingness to show up that make this whole thing work.
Happy birthday, Santi. Here’s to another year of performances, outreach, and probably way too many rehearsals. 🎶💙
~Avril
P.S. Still not letting you pick the repertoire😈

We had the incredible opportunity to work with members of the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” in a chamber masterclass and concert last weekend.

Huge gratitude to MSG Benjamin Wensel, SFC Patrick Lin, SSD Julia Clancy, and SSG Allison Smith for sharing their artistry and thoughtful insights with us. Together with Mika and Joshua, we performed Dvořák’s American Quartet.
Thank you to and for creating this opportunity.
.plays.cello

Happy Music In Our Schools Month! 🎵
We love this year’s theme: “United Through Music”, because it’s exactly what we’ve experienced firsthand.
Music connects us beyond words and across cultures. It creates community and teaches far beyond just how to sound in tune. Music education IS education. That’s why we’re so passionate about this at Play for Music Education, where we work to help DC families understand music’s transformative benefits and connect them to accessible programs in their communities.
Music In Our Schools Month reminds us why this matters: every student deserves access to music education, no matter their zip code or background.
School is where all children should be able to pick up an instrument, join an ensemble, and experience the power of making music together.
This month, we’re celebrating the teachers, programs, and advocates who make that possible, and we’re continuing our mission to ensure more DC families can access these life-changing opportunities.
Find out more on how to support - link in bio