Making Music Accessible to All
Our impact goes beyond lessons, we're building a more connected, creative, and musical community.
Music Everywhere You Go
We bring live music to every corner of our community, from festivals and fundraisers to neighborhood concerts and senior centers.
175
Free Performances a Year
62,494
People Reached Across the Region
Tahoe City Summer Concert Series
Made in Tahoe Festival, Palisades
Music in the Park, Truckee Railyard
Community Arts Center Concert
Tahoe City PUD Concert Series
Open Mic at Yonder
Music on the Beach, Kings Beach
Women in Music, Music in the Park
Made in Tahoe, Palisades Village
Student Recital
Student Open Mic at TTSM
Music on the Beach, Commons Beach
Song Group (Weekly Monday Jam)
Song Group at TTSM Studio
Open Mic at Yonder
Tahoe Joy Festival, Community Arts Center
Student Performance, Music on the Beach
"This organization is one of the primary reasons north Tahoe has such an amazing music culture."
-- Bill Wang
Inspiring the Next Generation
Music builds confidence, discipline, and joy. Through assemblies, school programs, and scholarships, we make sure every child has a chance to experience it.
Assemblies & School Programs
2,136
Students inspired through free in-school music assemblies
We bring engaging, educational music experiences directly to schools, inspiring thousands of students each year.
"All of our students were laughing and learning the whole time."
Melanie Cooke
Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction
Sierra Expeditionary Learning School, Tahoe Truckee USD
"This is the best assembly we've ever had in the 13 years I've been at Kings Beach."
Kelley Swarberg Ogilv
Physical Education Teacher
Kings Beach Elementary
"We are so thankful to TTSM! Our students were engaged throughout, from the youngest TK to the oldest 5th grader!"
Stephanie Foucek
Principal
Tahoe Lake Elementary School
"After the assembly at SELS today, my son excitedly said, I am going to learn the drums!"
Molly Casper
SELS Mom
"Both boys came home very excited about learning an instrument! The SELS assembly was the highlight of their day."
Dana Seaborg
SELS Mom
"The Tahoe Truckee School of Music's Percussion Assembly was an educational and engaging experience for our entire school community."
Colleen McAdams
Music Instructor, TK-5
Truckee Elementary School
Workshops & Group Classes
Percussion, rock band, and intro-to-music programs offered at local schools, giving students hands-on experience making music together.
"It was great and I want to continue."
-- Odin
Intro to Rock Bands student
"I am really impressed with what Subra is doing for the Tuesday band."
-- Brielle B
Rock Band Mom
"It was fun!"
-- Lena
Intro to Rock Bands student
"It was really great and I learned a lot!"
-- Zoe
Intro to Rock Bands student
"Zoe had a blast!"
-- Annie M
Intro to Rock Bands Mom
"It was really awesome."
-- Enzo
Intro to Rock Bands student
"Thanks again! My kids loved it!"
-- Karen M
Rock Band Mom
"It was great to expose Ethan to music classes as he hasn't had a lot of experience. Thanks for helping make this possible."
-- Debbie D
Intro to Rock Bands Mom
Scholarships & Accessibility
- • All lessons priced below market rate
- • Scholarships available for families in need
- • No child turned away due to financial barriers
"My son would have had to stop taking piano lessons without the music scholarship program. Kane has become an incredible piano player and vocalist. He even won the high school talent show as a freshman with the skills he learned at TTSM. Thank you to all of Kane's music teachers and scholarship program donors for all you have done for our son!"
-- Scott Thompson
Performance Opportunities
Students gain real-world confidence through recitals and community performances, taking their skills from the practice room to the stage.
"I watched the band members go from timid singers to confident rock stars!"
Shelley Bolen
Band Mom
"The band members became more confident, successful, and compassionate!"
Lauren Jones
Band Mom
"The kids are still great friends and love to jam together."
Lauren Jones
Band Mom
"These kids have had opportunities that most adult bands would wish for."
Kelley Swarberg-Ogilvy
Band Mom, 6 years with TTSM
Strengthening Our Local Music Scene
TTSM helps musicians make a living doing what they love, by providing paid work, teaching opportunities, and fair wages.
Paid Gigs & Instructor Roles
Regular employment opportunities for local musicians
Above-Market Compensation
We value our musicians and pay them fairly
Opportunities to Teach, Perform & Inspire
Multiple revenue streams for working musicians
Six figures paid to musicians annually
Through teaching, gigs, and performances every year
"I'm proud that we're able to help support our local musicians in pursuing musical careers. This community deserves a thriving music scene, and our instructors and performers are the ones making it happen."
-- Ben Martin, Founder & Executive Director
Filling the Gap in Music Education
When schools lose funding for music, we step in to keep the beat going.
- • Free assemblies at every public elementary school
- • Supplemental group classes during and after school
- • Providing and repairing instruments for school programs
- • Funding instructors for jazz and ensemble programs
"Ken was joyful, interactive, funny, and a complete entertainer for our TK through fifth grade students."
Jennifer Dewald
Principal, Kings Beach Elementary
"The pacing, structure, and delivery of the performance were all spectacular."
Colleen McAdams
Music Teacher (TK-5), Truckee Elementary
"This is the best assembly we've ever had in the 13 years I've been at Kings Beach."
Kelley Swarberg Ogilvy
Physical Education Teacher, Kings Beach Elementary
"Our students were engaged throughout, from the youngest TK to the oldest 5th grader!"
Stephanie Foucek
Principal, Tahoe Lake Elementary
It's Never Too Late to Play
Our adult programs help people rediscover their passion for music, from private lessons to open mics and band coaching.
Private Lessons
Song Group
Open Mic
Band Coaching
Live Performance
Song Group (Every Monday)
Song Group at TTSM Studio
Open Mic at Yonder
Song Group
Student Recital
Music on the Beach
"Ben challenged me to play styles I had been afraid to attempt. It's great to be learning again."
Rick Mitchell
Guitar, 40 years playing
"I wish I had found this place years ago. Super friendly and welcoming for all ages and levels."
Montana Hodges
Adult Beginner
"In my late 70s I decided I really wanted to learn piano. Stephanie has helped me grow into an intermediate player."
Terry Krivan
Piano Student
Removing Barriers to Music
We make sure everyone can make music, no instrument or rehearsal space required.
-
Free Instrument Loan Program
Students can borrow instruments at no cost, removing financial barriers to learning
-
Rehearsal Space
Local bands can practice in our facilities for a small fee
-
Instrument Donation & Repair
We accept donations and maintain instruments to keep music accessible
The People Behind the Music
It takes a dedicated team to keep the music playing, from passionate teachers to generous volunteers.
"None of this would be possible without our amazing army of volunteers. They show up for every event, every festival, every concert. They are the backbone of this organization."
-- Ben Martin, Founder & Executive Director
Lives Changed Through Music
Behind every note is a story of confidence gained, friendships formed, and lives transformed through the power of music.
"Jasmine has blossomed and grown astronomically. Those live performances are shaping her self confidence at a critical stage in her emotional development."
Heather Shick
Parent, Multi-Instrument Student
"My son would have had to stop taking piano lessons without the scholarship program. He won the high school talent show as a freshman."
Scott Thompson
Parent, Scholarship Recipient
"Music lessons added so much to my son's self esteem. Being severely disabled, he often felt useless. Music opened his world up."
Gail Yeider
Parent, Scholarship Recipient
"She is noticeably building confidence and chose to sing in front of her whole school at the talent show."
Sharon Morjig
Parent
"We've been taking drum lessons for 5 years and it's amazing how much progress our kid has made. TTSM is basically crushing it."
Kirsten Guinn
Parent, Tahoe City
"I watched the band members go from timid singers to confident rock stars!"
Shelley Bolen
Band Mom
Help Us Keep the Music Playing
Your support makes everything above possible, from free assemblies to scholarships. Every donation, lesson, and volunteer hour helps spread joy and build community through music.
Make a Direct Impact
Your contribution directly supports music accessibility in our community
$50
Funds 1 scholarship lesson
$150
Supports 1 school assembly
$300
Provides an instrument loan
$500
Funds a full scholarship
Stay Connected
Get updates on our impact, upcoming events, and ways to get involved.