Welcome to the Sunset Music and Education Foundation

Welcome to the Sunset Music & Education Foundation

The Sunset Music & Education Foundation (SMEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enriching lives and building community through the transformative power of music. Founded as Sunset Music in 1985 and established as a nonprofit in 2025, SMEF carries more than 30 years of creative excellence and community leadership.

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About SMEF

The Sunset Music & Education Foundation was created to ensure that access to music and the arts is not determined by a family's income, zip code, or stage of life. Through world-class concerts, cultural programs, and educational initiatives, SMEF brings people together across generations while creating opportunities for young musicians to learn, grow, and thrive.

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At the heart of the organization is the SMARTS Initiative (Sharing Music, Accessing Resources, Transforming Students), which provides instruments, scholarships, mentorship, and performance opportunities for Coachella Valley youth. What makes SMARTS unique is its real-world, performance-based approach to music education.

Students don't simply receive instruments—they gain access to experiences that help them envision what's possible. Through workshops, rehearsals, soundchecks, master classes, and live performances, students learn alongside professional musicians while developing confidence, discipline, teamwork, leadership skills, and artistic excellence.

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The Foundation also believes in the power of intergenerational connection. Many of its programs bring together youth, professional artists, seniors, educators, and community members, creating opportunities for mentorship, cultural exchange, learning, and community building. Whether presenting a jazz concert, a cultural celebration, or a student showcase, the goal remains the same: to use music as a tool for education, inspiration, and connection.

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Since becoming a nonprofit organization, SMEF has provided thousands of dollars in instruments and scholarships to local students while creating opportunities for young people to perform, be seen, and be celebrated. Every concert helps fund the next instrument, the next scholarship, and the next young musician's dream.

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Our guiding belief is simple: when we invest in young people, provide access to the arts, and create spaces where generations can learn from one another, entire communities benefit.

"We don't just put instruments in kids' hands—we put them on stages, connect them with professional mentors, and show them what's possible."

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Our Mission

To expand access to music and the arts by providing instruments, education, mentorship, and performance opportunities that empower youth, connect generations, and strengthen communities.

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Why It Matters

Music has the power to educate, inspire, heal, and connect. Yet too many young people face barriers that limit access to arts education and creative opportunities. SMEF exists to remove those barriers while creating pathways for artistic growth, personal development, and community engagement.

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Through concerts, educational programs, scholarships, mentorship, and instrument access, we help young people discover their talents, build confidence, and develop skills that extend far beyond the stage.

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At the same time, our programs celebrate diverse voices, honor cultural traditions, and create opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together through the shared experience of music.

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The SMARTS Difference

The SMARTS Initiative (Sharing Music, Accessing Resources, Transforming Students) is more than an instrument program—it is a pathway program.

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Students receive instruments they can take home and call their own, but the experience doesn't stop there. SMARTS connects students with professional musicians, educational workshops, mentorship opportunities, rehearsals, soundchecks, and public performances that provide real-world learning experiences.

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Through SMARTS, students gain:

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• Instrument ownership and access to music education

• Mentorship from professional artists

• Scholarships and educational support

• Performance and showcase opportunities

• Leadership, teamwork, and communication skills

• Confidence, creativity, and artistic growth

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By combining access, mentorship, and experience, SMARTS helps students see themselves as musicians, creators, and future leaders.

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The Sunset Music Series

A cornerstone of SMEF, the Sunset Music Series showcases jazz, blues, soul, R&B, rock, Latin, classical, country, and comedy while celebrating legendary artists, emerging talent, and culturally significant stories.

More than entertainment, these events serve as educational and community-building experiences that create opportunities for student engagement, mentorship, and artistic inspiration. Revenue generated through performances directly supports the SMARTS Initiative and helps fund instruments, scholarships, and youth programming.

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Celebrating Culture & Community

Through concerts, educational programs, and cultural celebrations, SMEF honors the rich diversity of our community. Programs highlighting Black History Month, Women's History Month, Jazz Appreciation Month, Juneteenth, Pride, and other cultural observances connect audiences to history, heritage, and shared experiences.

These events foster understanding, celebrate creativity, and strengthen community through the universal language of music.

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Our Team & Gratitude

SMEF is powered by passionate board members, producers, artists, educators, volunteers, and community partners who believe in the transformative power of music.

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We extend heartfelt gratitude to:

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• Our Board of Directors, whose leadership guides our mission.

• Our artists and educators, who inspire audiences and mentor students.

• Our Dream Team of staff and volunteers, whose dedication brings every program to life.

• Our loyal audiences, whose support fuels our work.

• Our generous donors, sponsors, and community partners, whose investments help create opportunities for future generations.

Join Us

Help us inspire, educate, and transform lives through music.

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Together, we can provide instruments, create opportunities, foster mentorship, celebrate culture, and strengthen community—one performance, one student, one dream at a time.

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🎵 Meet our Dream Team — the leadership, staff, volunteers, and community champions who make the magic happen. We're more than a team ... we're family