The People’s Music School envisions a society where all children have access to the unique social, emotional, intellectual benefits achieved through musical excellence. We believe music is transformative and empowers the lives of youth, families and communities. Founded in 1976 by Dr. Rita Simó, a Juilliard-trained pianist from the Dominican Republic, the legacy of tuition-free music education began in a repurposed barber shop, until a vacant lot on a residential block in Uptown eventually became its permanent home.