El Sistema Colorado is an equitable, culturally immersive music education program that serves youth ages 3-18 by offering free string instruments and free music lessons in the setting of an orchestra. All students are welcome to apply but we prioritize enrollment for low-income families.
We operate our no-cost programs from our dedicated music center in Denver’s Curtis Park neighborhood. Our after school program takes place on Monday - Friday from 4:30-6:30pm. Most of our students receive 2-3 hours of music instruction per week and many also receive free private lessons.
“El Sistema helps a lot of kids and young adults who, like me, never had these opportunities due to lack of support or financial need. Thanks to El Sistema Colorado we have been able to continue learning and fulfill our dreams.”
— Karol, 2026 ESC Graduate
While the program is free, our students and families have a high level of commitment to be a part of the program. We exist to provide access to high quality music education, no matter what.
We are committed to the whole child by cultivating a community of support for the whole family and greater community. Our curriculum is steeped in social emotional learning (SEL), where music is the vehicle by which our young musicians grow self-confidence and leadership skills.
We are music without barriers!
Every child deserves access to the arts and each dollar you give helps us remove the barriers to music education.
Want more information?
View our 2026 annual report. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin.
El Sistema Colorado is a scholarship-based, excellence-driven, and opportunity-focused youth orchestra program that develops musical and personal agency, transcends socioeconomics, and strengthens community.
ESC was founded in January 2012 with the first after school program in Denver Public Schools serving students at Garden Place Academy, adding Swansea Elementary and Bruce Randolph Middle & High School in the fall of 2013.
Drawing on the inspiration and approach from the original El Sistema established in Venezuela over 40 years ago, the founders of El Sistema Colorado envisioned children of marginalized communities having the same access to music as their more privileged peers.
Since our founding, ESC has served over 1,500 youth throughout Denver. We seek funding to expand our music programs to effectively serve our students with the highest quality music education possible.
In October 2019, we opened the doors to our very own music center and moved programming to our new location in the heart of Curtis Park. We currently serve over 300 students from all across Denver every week.
Organization name
El Sistema Colorado
2011
Tax id (EIN)
92-0312087
Category
Youth Development, Arts, Culture & Humanities, Education, Public & Societal Benefit
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
2980 CURTIS STDenver, CO, US
Arapahoe County, CO, US
Jefferson County, CO, US
Aurora, CO, US