OUR GOOD STUFF
Summer Newsletter 2023
Happy summertime! Even though we’re usually covered in fog here in San Francisco, we still succumb to the lazier days of summer and we love to take this time to reflect on all of the good stuff we have going on. This year, we’ve realized we have a lot of really, really good stuff to be thankful for. And none of it could happen without YOU!
Our incredible community of students, donors and music lovers make it possible for us to do so many wonderful things, like:
– Bring FREE music education to our amazing commmunity program partners
– Invest in our faculty, keeping 40+ teaching musicians employed
– Set our sights on the future, and the opening of not one, but THREE new campuses
It has been a great year for Blue Bear, and we’re always so grateful to have you along for the ride. Thank you for being a part of the Blue Bear family!
SPOTLIGHT ON GLIDE
We’re so proud of our longstanding relationships with our outreach program partners, some of San Francisco’s most well-respected and influential community organizations.
And one of our very favorites? Glide Memorial!
We’ve had programming at Glide’s Family, Youth and Childcare Center for over 10 years and it has been a distinct honor to do the work that we do together. Glide’s FYCC is a safe, culturally diverse environment for children and families providing licensed childcare, afterschool and summer programs, and a family resource center to help people realize their potential at home, in school and in their community.
Through our relationship with Glide, we’ve brought music education to thousands of children and their families, helping to build connection, confidence and creativity.
EAST BAY CAMPUSES
Big things are afoot at the Bear. After 50 years of making our mark in San Francisco, Blue Bear is making our way across the Bay!
Friends in the East Bay, you’ll soon be able to join us in one of our two new campuses; one on Solano Ave in Berkeley / Albany, and one in the brand new (yet still historic) Henry J. Kaiser Center for Arts and Ideas!
Both locations will have space for private and group lessons, band workshops and toddler Little Bears classes. We also have plans to expand our free community programming into East Bay schools and community centers. We’ll see you there in 2024!
BLUE BEAR LIVE!
It was worth the wait! In December, our 3-time rescheduled show featuring the wonderful Matt Nathanson FINALLY happened. And it was GREAT!
The beloved local band was phenomenal – they rocked the house and charmed the crowd, and Matt left us with his thoughts on music:
“Music is not a deficit thing, music is all pluses. The more you inspire humans to be a part of things like that, part of art, and to surrender to the act of doing, and not the goal – that is everything. So, thanks for supporting Blue Bear.”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Thanks to everyone who came out and joined us, and thank you Matt Nathanson!
BLUE BEAR & SFUSD
Blue Bear We love our community program partners, and it’s always so delightful to hear they feel the same way! This note from the head of arts for SFUSD was so nice we just had to share.
“We support Blue Bear’s continued work with the SFUSD without reservation, as has been proven by our inclusion of their programs for well over a decade now. We are particularly drawn to the Blue Bear programs because they resonate so directly with the SFUSD student body. Both of our organizations understand that music education promotes literacy and problem solving, but the Blue Bear programs also incorporate elements that enhance student cooperation and mood management. Blue Bear is truly a unique program provider in San Francisco: no other organization brings the same quality and depth of music programming to our students.”
Ron Machado
Director, SFUSD Arts Department
MISSION BAY CAMPUS
We know it seems like Blue Bear is everywhere, but in reality, we’ve always operated from just one campus. Until now! It’s been years in the works, and we’re now nearly ready to open the doors of our second San Francisco campus! We’re thrilled to partner with the new Mercy Housing community in SF’s Mission Bay neighborhood.
Mercy Housing gives a home to low-income families, seniors, individuals, and people with special needs. Blue Bear joins the community as a part of its resident services and will provide free music programming for everyone who lives there.
We know a house isn’t a home until it’s filled with music, and we’re pleased to help bring music to all these new homes!
FABULOUS NEW TEACHERS
Blue Bear is nothing without our amazing faculty, and we want the whole world to know how great they are! We thought we’d highlight a few of our newer teachers who are making special connections with their students.
Spencer Layne joined the Bear in 2021, and has quickly become a fixture. A hit with all students — from his private lessons, to summer campers and the teen All Stars — it seems like there’s nothing Spencer can’t do!
Joseph Givens is a recent addition to the Blue Bear & Bayview YMCA Digital Audio Production Program. Not only new to us, he’s new to teaching music! You’d never be able to tell, though — his enthusiasm for his students and the music that they make together has made him an instant favorite.
We’re so grateful for ALL of our teachers; Blue Bear has them to thank for over 50 years of happy students!
