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OUR MISSION
THE PLAY IT FORWARD MUSIC FOUNDATION (PIFMF) IS
A NONPROFIT ARTS EDUCATION ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS
TO PROVIDE FREE INSTRUMENTS, PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS AND
PROGRAMS TO THOSE WITH LIMITED RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITY.
“Children who study a musical instrument are more likely
to excel in all of their studies, work better in teams, have enhanced
critical thinking skills, stay in school and pursue further education.” - Arte Music Academy
MUSIC FOR EVERYONE
Nick Simmons and Dave Silva have known each other for more than 25 years, and share a deep love for music. They both grew up with music as an important part of their lives, helping them achieve a sort of meaning and focus in their own lives, and as their teaching careers grew, they both realized they wanted to help students who couldn’t afford lessons in a meaningful way.
That is how the Play it Forward Foundation was born.
OUR PROGRAMS
Free Lessons
New Horizon School
The Free Lessons Program was the initial inspiration behind the foundation. As music teachers we realized had students who could not afford the classes anymore. And not surprisingly, we found that the students who benefited the most from these lessons were often those who had the hardest time paying for them. We have witnessed firsthand the positive effects music these lessons have on students. Notably an increase in skill-level, confidence and self-esteem in students who normally would not have the access or the opportunity to receive a formal music education.
"Nikhil was emotionally traumatized by the fire but his love for music helped him cope. We lost our house in the Santa Rosa Fire and Play It Forward was able to give my son a scholarship for drum lessons. I am forever grateful to Nick for his compassion to help out the community when needed”
- Punam Aery
The New Horizon School and Learning Center provides individual learning programs for learning different and dyslexic students. We facilitate a weekly music class for the students, where many who might find other subjects challenging, find that musical expression is easier, and can be a pathway into a more relaxed approach in other classes as well. For some students, it's just a relief, for others, the basic steps of musical theory has been a confidence builder.
“The unity that has been created through music has helped the students bridge the social gap that is so common in learning different kids.”
- New Horizon teacher
Instrument Drive
Following the devastating wildfires of 2017, we partnered with Santa Rosa Symphony and Loud and Clear Music in an effort to collect instruments for those who lost them.
Over 250 instruments were collected and distributed to those affected.
This is now an ongoing program.
”When Jackson started guitar lessons we hoped it would give him a connection to his dad who we had just lost, but it gave him so much more. It gave him a confidence that we hadn’t seen before. He had always been a very quiet/reserved kid, but after starting lessons I began to see his self esteem and confidence level rise. I saw a shy kid learn to open up and become more comfortable in personal and social settings. Now, when I see him during a performance I am blown away by how comfortable he looks and feels on stage. That gain in self worth is something my husband and I had worked so hard to bring to Jackson. I truly believe that given the opportunity to take private lessons with an amazing teacher helped us accomplish that goal. Something I’ll be forever grateful for.”
- Deanna Mcginnis
HELP US OUT!
To continue our work with these programs, we are relying on grants, donations and other volunteer help. Here is how you can help:
GOT INSTRUMENTS?
We are driven to provide instruments to those in need, and have already received many generous donations from community members - anything from harmonicas and flutes to grand pianos, and all the guitars, drums, violins you can fit in between.
Do you have an old instrument that
you might want to donate?
DONATE NOW!
We rely on donations to continue our work to offer free music lessons and groups to those in our community who need it.
Click the yellow button above to
donate directly. Thank you!
Programs and Fundraising Goals
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Free Lessons Program: Our hope is to double our number of private lesson scholarships to 40. Help us raise raise $20,000 to make this possible.
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New Horizon School: New Horizon School and Learning Center provides individual learning programs for learning different and dyslexic students. Thanks to the Vintners Grant 2022, we have the funding we need to see the program through the next academic year.
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Journey Academy: TLC and Journey Academy together provide schooling and support to vulnerable students and their families. Help us increase music programming by raising $10,000 to get this pilot program up and running.
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Instrument Distribution: During the pandemic, we received a large amount of donations (thank you!), and now we would like to place them in homes and schools. If you know of a student or program in need of instruments, please reach out!
We are so thankful and pleased to announce we received a $10,000 grant from Sonoma County Vintners Foundation, whose generous grants address our region’s most critical needs through their Community Grants Program. This funding will support our music programming at New Horizons School.
Equally as grateful we are for the $10,000 donation by the Hotel Headlsburg Fund of Community Foundation Sonoma County made possible through the generosity of Circe Sher at the Pigs and Pinot Annual Celebration. This donation will support our general operating costs to ensure programming throughout the year.