Athenaeum Music & Arts in Education
For Grades K–12
The Athenaeum Music & Arts in Educational Program provides free educational opportunities on music, the visual arts and art practice to K–12 students in classrooms throughout San Diego County. We currently offer three distinct but complementary programs: Free Teen Art, The World of Jazz, and World of Classical Music. Each presentation adheres to the Visual and Performing Arts standards, intertwining music and the visual arts with math, geography, science, social studies, and history. The World of Jazz and World of Classical Music are available as an onsite performance at local schools and community centers. These programs meet California Department of Education Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) standards. In addition, we offer Free Teen Art programs in La Jolla. If you are interested in scheduling a program for your class, child’s school, or community center please contact Emily Green for The World of Jazz program at (858) 454-5872 or at info@ljathenaeum.org. For World of Classical Music, please contact Travis Maril at travis.maril@gmail.com. Thank you!
For information or to schedule a program, please use the following contacts:
Free Teen Art
Free teen art program in La Jolla: Contact Maura Walters at (858) 454-5872 or mwalters@ljathenaeum.org
Jazz Outreach: The World of Jazz
Contact Danny Green at danny@dannygreen.net
World of Classical Music
Contact Travis Maril at travis.maril@gmail.com
Free Teen Art Classes
in La Jolla
Free Teen Art
Free After-School Art Program for Teens (13–18 years old)
Free Teen Art is a free after-school program for teens (ages 13 to 18), who are interested in art-making as an enrichment activity that goes beyond making crafts. The aim of the program is to provide a space for youth to create art, share stories, collaborate, explore, and identify new ways to use art in their lives. The Athenaeum offers facilities, resources, guidance, instruction, and support. The program includes a rotation of multidisciplinary art instructors offering workshops in their respective fields, as well as curricular activities that involve the use of the Athenaeum library resources as a starting point for projects. Open studio activities will include phone photography and video, drawing using various media, including digital drawing, and book arts. Field trips, gallery visits, and special events will round out the experience. The program is free for the participants and reservations can be made online below. The program is available at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla.
Class Schedule
Winter 2026:
The Athenaeum’s free program for teens (13–18 years old), offers a rotation of multidisciplinary art instructors and curricular activities.
Check back soon for the Winter/Spring 2026 schedule!
Fridays, 4–6 PM
LA JOLLA STUDIO
Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
1008 Wall Street
La Jolla, CA 92037
Click on the button below to register for the fall schedule. For additional information, please call (858) 454-5872 or email us at info@ljathenaeum.org.
Free Teen Art classes are partly underwritten by the ResMed Foundation.
Canada Kerwin has worked as a K–Grade 2 art volunteer since 2005, creating age-appropriate lessons that include introduction to art theory and artists’ biographies and tie-in to curricula as needed. Retired from the healthcare field, Canada also served in the US Navy. She applies her background experience to her ongoing art studies at Mira Costa College, focusing on the human form through life drawing and sculpture. She says, “Capturing the infinite expressions of the body through gesture and line is a very fascinating and gratifying practice.”
Jean Krumbein embraces all aspects of drawing. An artist, teacher, and model,; she is a guest artist/figure-drawing instructor for the Canyon Crest Academy EVA Conservatory program and Founder of the Encinitas Library Figure Drawing Group. A New York transplant, Jean studied at the Huntington Fine Arts League, Friends World College, and the Art Students League. She teaches at art retreats and workshops in Southern California, specializing in life drawing, portrait, and still-life drawing classes for adults and teens. Her work has been shown in many group and solo shows in San Diego and New York.
Ilona Murray-Novak is the founder of Organic Visions Luxury Moss Art Studio, specializing in high-end,custom moss art installations and biophilic design for commercial and residential clients. With a passion for connecting people to the serenity of nature through art, she brings both technical knowledge and creative inspiration to her class.
Nancy Walter’s approach to art making flows out of design, illustration, photography, travel and self-inquiry. She has taught graphic design, arts & crafts, book arts, art journaling and hand stitching. Over the last few years she has done art residencies in Morocco, Twenty-Nine Palms and Los Angeles. She has trained as an Expressive Art Therapy coach and a Soul Collage facilitator. Nancy co-founded Art Lounge, in Encinitas CA. She’s a member and former publications Chair of SDBA (San Diego Book Arts). Currently her daily art practice incorporates slow-stitching, book arts, collage, drawing and gelli printing!
Susan Walters has taught art at the Gillispie School for over 30 years. She studied fine art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art and The Art Students League of New York. She graduated cum laude from Lafayette College with a degree in Art History.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Athenaeum School of the Arts strives to provide an environment conducive to learning. We expect students to care about themselves, each other, and the environment around them by exhibiting integrity, compassion, a good attitude, respect, and effort. Students are also expected to follow the classroom guidelines as assigned by their individual teachers. The Athenaeum School of the Arts reserves the absolute right to dis-enroll a student at any time for any reason.
Music Education & Outreach
For Grades K–12
The music in education outreach series includes the series:
JAZZ OUTREACH BY DANNY GREEN AND ROB THORSEN
The World of Jazz
The World of Jazz is a high energy, interactive educational program led by pianist Danny Green and bassist Rob Thorsen. This performance traces the history of jazz, the great performers and composers, improvisation, as well as the key elements in jazz music. Students also get to learn a jazz song “by ear” and participate in an improvised sing-along.
This program began in 2013 and has been a key element in keeping Jazz music education in San Diego area elementary schools.
If you are interested in scheduling a program for your class, child’s school, or community center or for more information please contact Danny Green at danny@dannygreen.net.
The World of Jazz outreach program is supported, in part, by Ellen Browning Scipps Foundation, the ResMed Foundation, and the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.
Feedback & Support
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Feedback & Support
To improve the Athenaeum's Music & Arts in Education Program, we ask that teachers and community center directors download this feedback form, complete and fax or mail to the Athenaeum. Responses are confidential and will be used to improve the Athenaeum's Education and Outreach activities.
Funding for a series, either music or visiual arts is a wonderful gift that can be given to a public or private school or community center. If you would like to provide support for education and outreach, please contact Christie Mitchell, Executive Director at (858) 454-5872.
Financial Support
Currently, financial support for the Athenaeum Music & Arts in Education and Outreach program is provided by:
♦ Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation
♦ County of San Diego Community Enhancement Program
♦ City of San Diego Commission for Arts & Culture and the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library.