About Kelly Makley

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So far Kelly Makley has created 38 blog entries.

2024: Year in Review

2025-08-18T13:18:05-07:00

We are proud to share our progress in providing equitable access to music education in 2024: 37,469 students were reached through our virtual and in-person programming, with 71% from Title 1 (under-resourced) schools. We served 277 schools across the nation, with 165 of these qualifying as Title 1. 94 bus scholarships were awarded to Title 1 schools, ensuring transportation access to our concerts. 96 professional artists were employed, enriching the experiences of our students. 2,730 students at 9 schools received our assemblies on campus with professional musicians from the Classics Philharmonic Orchestra. Our volunteer docents visited 38 schools, engaging 3,255 [...]

2024: Year in Review2025-08-18T13:18:05-07:00

Our Impact: 2023-2024 Season

2025-08-18T13:18:05-07:00

This season, we produced three concerts: The Conductor's Spellbook Danza Cubana 3-2-1 Blast Off! Additionally, we: Employed 77 professional artists.  Provided 29 live assemblies serving 2,649 students and teachers.  Served 425 students with our Ukulele Residency Program at 24 schools,  Served 8 elementary schools with high percentages of military families, reaching a total of 722 attendees from these schools.    Provided invaluable opportunities for 20 talented students from San Diego public schools to perform with the Classics Philharmonic Orchestra.  Served 48 schools with pre-concert classroom visits from our Volunteer Docents, reaching 4,415 students and 190 teachers. 

Our Impact: 2023-2024 Season2025-08-18T13:18:05-07:00

Friends of Note: The Caryl Lees Witte & Jim Lee Fund

2026-03-20T13:26:14-07:00

We invite you to join our new initiative by becoming a Friend of Note. Founded by our long-term advocate, Mimi Lee, the Friends of Note will support and sustain classical music education in San Diego County on an annual basis. In alignment with Mimi’s vision, you can empower under-resourced students through music at these levels: Member: Benefit 60 students/2 classes - $300 annually/$25 monthly Sustaining Member: Benefit 120 students/4 classes - $600 annually/$50 monthly Patron: Benefit 180 students/6 classes - $900 annually/$75 monthly Legacy: Benefit 240 students/8 classes - $1,200 annually/$100 monthly Premier Legacy: Benefit 240+ students/8+ classes = $1,200+ annually/$100+ [...]

Friends of Note: The Caryl Lees Witte & Jim Lee Fund2026-03-20T13:26:14-07:00

Meet Conductor Dana Zimbric

2025-08-18T13:18:05-07:00

Dana Zimbric has been benefitting children throughout San Diego County with music education since 2003. This classically-trained conductor is on a mission to make classical music relevant, engaging and accessible for today’s audiences. She holds a Bachelor’s of Music and a Master’s of Music in Orchestral Conducting. In a competitive field that severely lacks women in leadership positions, she is paving the way for future female conductors. In addition to her work with Classics 4 Kids, she holds positions as the Artistic Director and Conductor of the California Chamber Orchestra in Temecula and Staff Conductor with Golden State Ballet. She is also a [...]

Meet Conductor Dana Zimbric2025-08-18T13:18:05-07:00

“Danza Cubana” Links

2025-08-18T13:18:05-07:00

Please Note: This video is ONLY available from April 11 to May 10, 2024. YOUTUBE LINK: Danza Cubana 2024 Enrichment Packet: C4K YOUTUBE Danza Cubana Educational Packet 2024 How to turn on/off English or Spanish closed-captions: At the bottom-center-right of the video, click the "CC" button to turn closed-captions on or off. Click the "Settings" button (shaped like a gear) next to it, click the "Subtitles/CC" option, and select English or Spanish captions. Optional Zoom Broadcast: If you are unable to stream YouTube in your classroom, please email chuber@classics4kids.org to arrange a private Zoom broadcast to take place before May [...]

“Danza Cubana” Links2025-08-18T13:18:05-07:00

2023: Year in Review – Impacting 38,000 Lives!

2025-08-18T13:18:05-07:00

As we reflect on 2023, we wanted to share our accomplishments in providing equitable access to music education. In 2023, we: Reached 38,061 students with our virtual and in-person programming, with 66% from low-income schools. Served 251 schools throughout the nation, with 161 of these schools qualifying as Title 1 (low-income). Enabled access to our concerts with 90 bus scholarships for low-income schools. Employed 86 professional artists. Provided invaluable opportunities for 53 talented students from San Diego public schools to perform with the Classics Philharmonic Orchestra. Volunteer docents served 48 schools with pre-concert classroom visits, reaching 4,012 students and 174 [...]

2023: Year in Review – Impacting 38,000 Lives!2025-08-18T13:18:05-07:00

San Diego Foundation’s Impact Video

2025-08-18T13:18:05-07:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9d7ZGhKZck&t=2s San Diego Foundation recently posted this video about how Classics 4 Kids utilized funding from the Jay Kahn Endowment Fund to impact low-income students throughout San Diego. Their astounding surprise donation enabled us to expand programming to the Joan B. Kroc Theatre for the first time in November. This inclusive location enables access to schools from high-poverty neighborhoods located in the San Diego Promise Zone. The expansion increased access to our programming for students from low-income schools by 16%, comprising 84% of our audience during November's performances of The Conductor's Spellbook. Read their full blog post. [...]

San Diego Foundation’s Impact Video2025-08-18T13:18:05-07:00
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