Tucson Youth Music is a nonprofit music education organization. We offer music lessons free of charge to underserved youth. Students learn to play an instrument, as well as proper technique, repertoire, sight-reading, music theory, ear-training, performance, improvisation, and music appreciation.

The TYM mission is to transform the lives of young people and uplift our community through the power of music education.

  • Music Education

    Tucson Youth Music provides high quality music education classes to kids in the communities we serve. All TYM families are classified as low-income according to HUD guidelines. Our students learn to properly play an instrument: technique, repertoire, sight-reading, music theory, ear-training, performance, improvisation, and music appreciation.

  • Community Programs

    We collaborate with our community partners to build lasting programs with real impacts on the lives of our families. Our partners include school districts and police departments and churches and more. Our programs are designed to work with schools to provide music education to students who otherwise wouldn't be able to access it. Our results are proven.

  • Students, Families, Teachers

    Our philosophy is that everything we do should be focused and centered on our students, families, and teachers. We are committed to fostering our kids in a safe, nurturing environment and providing them with serious music & life skills which will serve them for years and decades to come. We believe that music can change lives and communities for the better.

Meet our amazing teachers


  • Jesús Alva

    Violin

  • Homero Cerón

    Bells & Marimba

  • Emmanuel Danielson

    Piano & Guitar

  • Carla Fabris

    Harp

  • Dr. Gail Fischler

    Piano

  • Anna Gendler

    Violin

  • Yukyung Hwang

    Piano

  • Neamen Lyles

    Saxophone

  • Noah Weig-Pickering

    Guitar

  • Carissa Powe

    Violin

  • Kenneth Saufley

    Trumpet

Our Board of Directors


  • Granger Vinall

    Chair of the Board
    CEO, MEDaiKEY

  • Pam Cleveland

    Board Member
    Retired Educator

  • Doug Finical

    Board Member
    Owner, Fini’s Landing,
    The Landing, Cabali

  • Rick Gregson

    Board Member
    Insurance Consultant; Owner, Assured Partners of Arizona

  • Todd Meeks

    Board Member
    CEO, Spartan Armor Systems

  • Mickey Petersen

    Board Member
    Assistant Chief, Tucson Police Department

  • Nancy Roberson

    Board Member
    Retired, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising

  • Patricia Young

    Board Member
    Immediate Past Chair,
    Retired Development Consultant