Play it Forward

☻

Play it Forward ☻

Two men sitting with musical instruments, one holding a ukulele and the other holding a guitar, in a wooden room with a drum set in the background.

Born from a musician's vision in 2016, Play It Forward Music Foundation emerged when Nick Simmons and Dave Silva recognized a fundamental need in Sonoma County: access to quality music education shouldn't depend on economic circumstances.

Drawing from their combined decades of teaching experience, they created a grassroots organization that bridges this gap by connecting instruments, instruction, and performance opportunities to those with limited access.

Our Story —

Music to the People

☻

Music to the People ☻

Two women in a room playing a ukulele, one smiling and strumming, the other assisting, with a music room sign on the door and a framed picture on the wall.

The Philosophy —

Our Mission

Play it Forward Music Foundation is a nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to foster connection through music. We provide programming, instruments, lessons, and performance opportunities to people with limited access. We believe music has the power to transform lives both internally and collectively, enriching our community. 

Our Equity Statement

We believe that music is a universal language that has the power to unite people from all walks of life. As an organization that provides free access to musical instruments and music lessons to disadvantaged children and adults, we are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. We recognize the importance of celebrating differences and honoring each individual’s unique background and experiences. By promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, we hope to empower our students and foster a community that is built on compassion, understanding, and acceptance.

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Meet the Board

  • Woman smiling against blue background, wearing large earrings and a sleeveless top.

    Karen Joy Brown

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • Man with long hair tied back, wearing a blue checkered shirt, standing against a solid blue background.

    Nick Simmons

    PRESIDENT

  • Man with glasses, beard, and long hair wearing a black blazer and white shirt against a blue background.

    Art Frengel

    SECRETARY

    I ran my own business for 40 years before retiring, and now I help Play It Forward by organizing all the donated instruments and making sure they get to people who need them. I play guitar, bass, and piano, and I've been in bands around the Bay Area for almost 20 years. I still write my own songs and do some recording at home. What I love most about Play It Forward is helping everyone in our community get access to music, which is why I've volunteered on lots of committees since the organization started.

  • A woman with long curly hair wearing a brown blouse against a blue background.

    Jennifer Frengalas

    I've been teaching piano since I was 16 years old and have been with Play It Forward since after the Tubbs Fire in 2017, when I wanted to help our community through music. I used to be the Executive Director during the pandemic and raised over $50,000 through grants and donations. I believe music connects us to ourselves and each other. I enjoy all types of music depending on my mood, but sometimes after a day of teaching, I prefer the sound of silence!

  • Elderly man wearing glasses and a checkered shirt against a blue background.

    Dave Traver

    I'm a lawyer who helps people with disabilities, and I joined this music foundation because I couldn't afford clarinet lessons as a kid — missing that opportunity stuck with me. Now my daughter Maria takes piano lessons at PIF. I've been on lots of boards for schools and libraries, so I help make sure everything runs smoothly. I love music, I even went to Woodstock as a teenager and still love music from the 60s like Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan.

  • Ronni Sullivan

    I'm a retired electrician who loves fixing guitars, which is how I got involved with Play It Forward — I like helping fix guitars before they go to their forever homes. Music has been important to me since I was a kid - I remember pestering my parents for a guitar and the amazing feeling when I finally made it sound like songs on the radio! I play guitar and bass at open mics, enjoying everything from rock to Americana. My all-time favorite musician is Joni Mitchell. I volunteer because I know what it's like to really want an instrument, and I want to help anyone who dreams of playing music.

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