The Watts-Willowbrook Conservatory (WWC) and youth orchestra begins its fourth year, serving youngsters from the South Los Angeles/Watts/Compton area.
Beginners, intermediate and advanced students are welcome to participate in the program, and youth must be ages 7-18 to participate in the 10-week session. The cost is a $10 registration fee, and instruments are available for loan.
April 18 is the final day to sign up for the new session.
Enrollment applications available at The Watts-Willowbrook Boys and Girls Club.
Classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Watts-Willowbrook Boys and Girls Club (WWBGC), 1339 E. 120th St., Los Angeles. (323) 567-3957.
The Watts-Willowbrook Conservatory was established in early 2010 in partnership with SAPPA (Scholarship Performance Preparatory Academy). The program is part of the Watts-Willowbrook Boys and Girls Club’s cultural arts strategy that creates opportunities for children who are challenged everyday by living in the most economically depressed area in Southern California.
The structure of the conservatory was developed by Billy Mitchell, SAPPA executive director, Dr. Charles Dickerson, founder and director of the Inner-City Youth Orchestra, and Les Jones, executive director of the WWBGC.
Participants attend one-hour classes after school at the clubhouse twice a week, where they learn to read music and play symphonic instruments that are provided at no cost.
The program is parent driven, and the family support systems will allow the inner-city arts community to grow and operate at a competitive, consistent level.
Contact Billy Mitchell of SAPPA at (626) 793-8706 or sappaprograms@gmail.com.
