My name is David Silva and I’m a music teacher from Sebastopol, CA. I’ve been instructing since 2008 and playing and performing for 35 years. In 2017 I Co-founded the Play it Forward Music Foundation to help provide music education and instruments accessible to those in our community who otherwise cannot afford them. I am happy with the work the foundation has done and am proud to serve as a board member.

Learning to play a musical instrument empowers young people in so many ways, giving them self-confidence, teaching discipline, a sense of accomplishment, learning to be part of a team, and of course, the personal joy of making music.  Many students are experiencing hardships that make it difficult or impossible to partake in music education. I joined the board because I believe in the PIF mission of connecting these students with the instruments and teachers they need to succeed.

I believe making music is a human birthright. I want EVERY child to have access to instruction, instruments, and musical support. It’s an enormous honor to work alongside the amazing founders and fellow board members of Play It Forward.

I am a retired attorney who lives in Santa Rosa with my wife Mary and our daughters Maria and Nellie. The girls attend High School at Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm in Santa Rosa, where I am a Director of the Board. Music education has always been essential to our daughters' lifelong education and happiness.

As a former elementary school teacher, I have seen how the introduction of music to a child's life opens a magical door to creativity and self-esteem. Play It Forward continually provides those experiences.

Vanessa Bird specializes in mental health and pediatric school-based occupational therapy in Sonoma County, and is the mother of two future rockstars.

Serving this Board pairs my love of music with passion for helping others. By working with Play it Forward I get to help bring music to those with limited resources fulfilling my desire to do more for our community.