The Ellis Marsalis Center, a music education program for underserved youth and adults, has opened registration for enrollment in the Youth Music Education Program (YME), Spring 2023 .

Registration ends January 13. Spring semester classes start on January 9 and end on April 29. No prior musical experience is required.

Through its YME Program, the center provides a safe and positive environment where children can develop musically, academically and socially. Located in the heart of musicians’ village, the YME program provides music education and academic enrichment to youth living within the Ninth Ward and surrounding communities. The program features instruction in various music disciplines, including piano, strings, percussion, bass, guitar, brass, woodwinds, vocals and jazz band.

Additionally, the center offers homework assistance and technology classes, including computer coding, music production, lighting production, video production and audio engineering. Offering holistic support, the center provides wrap-around programming such as the healthy habits food program and behavioral health counseling services.

The YME program hosts over 200 students per semester and has a proven success rate, with 89 percent of students showing advanced musical techniques. Since its opening, the center has served over 3,000 children and thousands of community members. It’s celebrated and promoted over 300 musicians and cultural influencers.

Named after one of the most celebrated New Orleans music educators, Ellis Marsalis was a jazz pianist who taught improvisational jazz and influenced countless musicians. Now the center carries on that tradition, offering residencies to local musicians and enriching the lives of hundreds through music. A documentary about Ellis Marsalis recently premiered if you’d like to learn more.

For enrollment in the Ellis Marsalis Center, visit www.ellismarsaliscenter.org or request a copy of the registration form by contacting the center at 504-940-3400 or emailing [email protected].