Students enjoying a performance by the California Mission Quartet at Branch Elementary School
In classrooms from the coast to the most rural corners of San Luis Obispo County, students are discovering what live music and art can spark: curiosity, confidence, and a sense of possibility. Through SLOCOE’s Arts Outreach program, professional artists are stepping into schools that are often far from traditional performance venues—bringing high-quality arts experiences directly to students who might otherwise never encounter them.
“These outreaches have been serving some of the schools on the fringes of the county,” said Talia Phillips-Ortega, SLOCOE Arts Outreach Advisor. “Based on location, these schools don’t have the same access to student matinees as more central districts with proximity to a large theatre. Arts Outreach ensures students still experience live performances that support their curriculum, expand their knowledge base, and provide hands-on musical exploration.”
A Year of Impact: 2025 by the Numbers
During the 2024–25 school year, Arts Outreach reached approximately 12,000 students across the county. The program partnered with nine local artists and groups—including one internationally touring artist—to deliver 50 assemblies in 20 schools, prioritizing access for rural campuses that often have fewer enrichment opportunities. Two student matinee performances introduced more than 1,000 students to the power of a live orchestra for the very first time.
Behind each statistic is a moment of discovery. At Shandon Elementary in January, the Music Van transformed the schoolyard into a hands-on music lab. Sergio, a student, reflected, “It was kind of hard… but even though, it was still good. I would love it if the music van came back.” His classmate Luis tried multiple instruments in a single visit—“I played the trumpet, the violin, and the Frog Guiro… I’ve never played the trumpet before. It’s fun playing the trumpet now. Now it’s making me want to buy a trumpet.”
Early 2026: Live Music, Real Connections
The momentum continued into early 2026, with musicians from the SLO Symphony and the California Missions Quartet bringing history, technique, and emotion into elementary school gyms and multipurpose rooms.
At Creston Elementary, fifth graders leaned in as the CA Missions Quartet demonstrated fast-moving fingers and layered rhythms. “It was really cool to see them how they move their hands really fast and in order to get different beats,” said Eduardo. For Hattie, who has been learning recorder for a year, the experience changed how she listens: “Now when I listen to songs that have those instruments, I can really envision what’s happening.” McKenzie summed it up simply: “When they’re playing, I feel like it lights up something in me.”
Members of the SLO Symphony’s Seashore Trio shared not only music, but the stories behind their instruments. Bassoonist Jessica Hoffman described the “double reed family” and the gear that comes along with playing a wind instrument, while Grace Seng connected musical styles to emotions—how a melody can evoke happiness, sadness, or excitement. Pianist John Astaire reflected on the long-term impact of early exposure: “When I was in elementary school was the first time that I saw little groups play, which got me interested in music… I think the best thing we can do is introduce them to this music and hopefully it inspires some of the children to take up instruments.”
Students trying out the violin as part of the Music Van arts outreach at Shandon Elementary School
Artists in Schools: Creating Pathways
For musicians like Dave Becker, who visited Lillian Larsen Elementary in January, the work is deeply personal. “Kids just don’t get that opportunity,” he said, recalling how powerful it would have been to see a professional musician up close at their age. “To hear the timbres, the sounds, the instrument that speaks to them… it gives people a direction.” Becker’s return visit—first with his trio, then as a soloist—highlights the program’s growing relationships with schools that see firsthand how students respond.
More Than a Performance
Arts Outreach is about more than a single assembly—it’s about opening doors. As Grace Seng, Music Education Manager with the San Luis Obispo Symphony, explained during a visit to Branch Elementary, many students are seeing live musicians for the first time. “They have a lot of questions about our instruments and what it’s like to play in a group. So we really enjoy their questions at the end of our presentation.”
By meeting students where they are—geographically and developmentally—the program helps young people connect music and art to their own lives, cultures, and future choices. Some may pick up an instrument immediately; others may simply leave with a new way of listening. Both are wins.
Looking Ahead
As SLOCOE’s Arts Outreach program moves through 2026, its mission remains clear: ensure that every student, no matter their zip code, has access to the transformative power of the arts. With strong partnerships, dedicated artists, and schools eager to welcome them, the program continues to turn school days into moments of inspiration—one note, one question, and one spark at a time.
