Since our inception in 1994, Classics 4 Kids has been dedicated to addressing educational inequities by providing critical music education to students in San Diego County. Our programs cater to TK to 6th grade students, comprising of professional orchestra performances, on-campus assemblies, and virtual programming. In our last season alone, we impacted over 52,000 students, teachers, and families across 312 schools nationwide. Over 33,000 of our audience represented Title 1, low-income schools. We believe in the power of arts integration, and therefore we incorporate science, literacy, and math into our music education programs. Our innovative cross-curricular approach is aligned with CA [...]

We are thrilled to be among the first recipients of a surprise $150,000 gift from local entrepreneur and musician Jay Kahn's transformative Endowment Fund of $100 million! Conductor Zimbric (far right, above) had no idea it was going to happen! San Diego Foundation surprised 10 music education nonprofits providing vital access to underserved communities. What an honor to continue Kahn’s legacy among these meaningful San Diego nonprofits. Enjoy the full version of this amazing story about the legacy of Jay Kahn and his incredible gift to the San Diego region: Read the Article Classics 4 Kids looks forward to improving even more [...]

Please email info@classics4kids with any questions.

Classics 4 Kids is a proud recipient of the 2022 Cox Charities Community Grant. This funding will support our May concerts: Nature's Music. We appreciate your generosity and support of music education in San Diego County!

Conductor Dana Zimbric, Dr. Jeff Nevin and Southwestern College's Mariachi Garibaldi were featured on CBS8 San Diego - Morning News promoting "La Música de Mexico". WATCH VIDEO

We were thrilled to receive a proclamation from Malik Thornton from the office of San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn at our 30th Anniversary Gala declaring 10/2/22 as “Classics 4 Kids Day” in the City of San Diego! Classics 4 Kids Day Presented by Councilmember Stephen Whitburn October 2nd, 2022 WHEREAS, Classics 4 Kids was founded to inspire children through the experience of live music, generating creativity, academic success, and cultural understanding through professional orchestra concerts. WHEREAS, The nonprofit serves all students, teachers, and families with priority access to low-income and disadvantaged youth to further academic advancement, personal growth, and creativity. [...]

We are honored to be listed among the finalists for the San Diego Business Journal's 2022 Nonprofit Awards Organizations of the Year!

Local Nonprofits Perform for Thousands of Elementary Students at Historic Balboa Theatre   After a two-year hiatus, local nonprofit Classics 4 Kids is presenting their award-winning music education programs for thousands of elementary students from throughout San Diego County to enjoy. “Journey Into Jazz” takes place on May 24-25, 2022, and will feature live music from the 17-member Classics Philharmonic Orchestra accompanied by six talented high school jazz artists from the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory. “I am so thrilled to be returning to the stage since our last performance in March, 2020”, remarked Dana Zimbric, Artistic Director and Conductor of Classics [...]

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 [...]

Objectives:  Classics 4 Kids is looking for a Music Education Program Intern to help support the organization’s educational virtual Meet & Greets, in-school assemblies, docent trainings, theatre concerts and other program related activities. The Program Intern will work under the direction of the Artistic Director and will assist in the areas of workshop set-up/breakdown, backstage concert support, program support (research, media creation), orchestra music library, and more. Skill Set Required: The ideal candidate will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong interest in gaining experience in the area of music education for elementary students. Musical background and ability to [...]