Since our inception in May 2007, we have impacted the lives of more than 1,000 underserved children across Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and the South Bay areas. Our dedicated team of nearly 1,000 musically trained volunteers has provided free classical instruments and weekly Saturday music lessons to children aged 7-12.
As a volunteer-driven organization, Love in Music recognizes the dedication of our volunteers by offering the President’s Volunteer Service Award and Community Leader Awards annually. We actively recruit teaching and coordinating volunteers twice a year to help continue our mission: In July for the fall semester, and January for the spring semester.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to empower underserved children through free music education, fostering cross-cultural collaboration and promoting racial harmony. Using the universal language of music, we strive to bridge communities and inspire youth to grow beyond cultural and ethnic divisions.
History
Inspired by a desire to prevent divisive experiences like the 1992 L.A. Riots, which had a profound impact on the community, Love in Music was initiated as a movement within the Korean American community by a small group of people in May 2007. The founders envisioned music as a powerful tool to heal, connect, and foster unity across diverse communities, and it has grown over the past 18 years into a vital organization that has reached over 1,000 children from underserved communities, including Hispanic, Afro-American, and Asian and more.
Despite significant financial challenges, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Love in Music has persevered, driven by the dedication of our volunteers—90% of whom are high school students. These volunteers, along with their parents, have been instrumental in ensuring the continuation and success of our programs.
Overview of the Organization
Vision
We envision an inclusive community where children of all backgrounds connect and thrive through shared musical experiences. Our goal is to break down cultural barriers and foster lasting intergroup solidarity.
Core Values
1. Equity: Every child, regardless of background, deserves access to music education and the opportunity to express their talents.
2. Inclusion: Our programs embrace the diversity of Los Angeles County, engaging children from all underserved communities, regardless of race, ethnicity, or cultural background.
3. Collaboration: We partner with local community organizations, local churches and educational institutions and volunteers, promoting teamwork among youth and adults from diverse cultures.
4. Healing and Unity: Through music, we promote understanding, provide safe spaces for connection, and build racial harmony.
Services and Programs
Love in Music serves underserved children from diverse communities, primarily Hispanic, African American and Asian backgrounds. Our “musically trained volunteers” provide free music lessons every Saturday throughout the school year. These programs operate in partnership with two large churches, the Oriental Mission Church (Los Angeles) and Torrance First Presbyterian Church (Torrance), as well as KidWorks, a Hispanic community organization in Santa Ana, CA.
Number of Students Served
We aim to provide free music lessons to at least 100 children annually across Los Angeles, South Bay, and Santa Ana. Currently, over 90 students are enrolled.
Volunteer Engagement
For the 2024-25 school year, we have 102 volunteers, predominantly from the Korean American community, as well as volunteers from Caucasian, Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Hispanic backgrounds, contributing over 5,000 volunteer hours annually.
Major Events
We host two major events in the form of concert each year:
(1) Winter Concert: Held on each branch’s own at the end of the fall semester, the winter concert is a great opportunity for our students to showcase their learning progress as well as a chance to share their cultural heritage with the participation of their families. Featuring the beauty of diversity in cultural attires, this event is led to a a special year-end potluck party hosted by the parents of our students and teachers, celebrating successful completion of the fall semester and the season’s cheer together.
(2) Annual Concert: This event is a special occasion where our community comes together to appreciate the power of music in fostering harmony and connection in a larger scale with our students, volunteers, their families, as well as members of the community across our three branches. Along with a communal lunch for connecting culturally our students and their families with our volunteers who provide them with free weekly lessons. This concert features student performances and special appearances by professional musicians or our teaching volunteers.
Volunteer Online Trainings/Workshops
We offer an online volunteer training seminar to better equip our teaching volunteers with effective teaching skills led by the Music Director, along with music faculty and experts in the instruments we teach as well as in-person workshops as needed once or twice a year. All new volunteers are required to submit a 4-paragraph essay after watching the past volunteer training session links in lieu of individual training sessions as part of the formal registration process.
Instrument Management
We aim to maintain and replace up to 20-30 classical instruments, ensuring all students have access to high-quality instruments for lessons and performances. We accept donation of pre-owned classical instruments in proper condition that can be used in class without any repairs.
Program Expansion
We plan to partner with additional schools, churches, and community organizations to expand our reach, increasing the number of students and volunteers involved.
Welcome to Love in Music!
A Message from Kwan IL Park, President & Co-Founder
President & Co-Founder, Love in Music
Welcome to Love in Music!
Starting with just a few volunteers in May 2007, we have remained dedicated to bringing the joy and power of music to children who might not otherwise have access to music education. Through the dedication of our incredible volunteers whose number has expanded during the past 18 years to as many as 100 a year for nearly 100 students, we have built a nurturing community where young students can grow, express themselves, and connect with others through music.
At Love in Music, we believe that music has the power to bridge cultures, uplift spirits, and transform lives. Each week, our volunteers generously share their time and talents to guide children on their musical journey, fostering patience, discipline, and confidence—skills that extend far beyond learning an instrument.
I am proud to introduce our new Music Director, Dr. Gene Moon, whose leadership and passion for music education continue to inspire our organization. He beautifully expresses what makes Love in Music so special and why we remain committed to our mission.
Thank you for visiting, and I invite you to be a part of our Love in Music family!
Kwan Il Park
President/CEO
Welcome our New Music Director
Gene H. Moon, DMA
California Baptist Universty
– Director of Orchestral Studies
– Associate Dean of Performance and Outreach
Collinsworth School of Performing Arts
Since Sept. 2025
Message from Dr. Moon:
Dear Friends,
I am honored to serve as the next Music Director of Love in Music. As an active conductor and educator, I believe our greatest passion in music lives in our youth. Within them we find untapped potential—potential that reaches beyond the musical sphere to touch society and global culture alike.
I was once told: each time you step on stage, remember that someone in the audience needed to hear your music. It’s easy for us to think about the general masses and how they might quickly cast judgment upon us. Yet it is healthy to remind ourselves that, at times, there is always someone watching, wondering, and perhaps even in awe. The cornerstone principle of Love in Music is giving intentional and special attention to one another, building meaningful relationships and inspiration through music. It is an awe-inspiring mission that brings me great joy.
Whether young or old, beginner or seasoned, all of us have an instinctive longing to create music. It runs like a current beneath our daily lives—the rhythm of our footsteps, the cadence of our conversations, the cry of sorrow, the exclamation of joy. We want music. We need music. We love music. And we should let the natural flaws of human life remind us that beauty is found in imperfection. Teaching and making music, then, are not only artistic pursuits but vital elements of cultural growth. Every note played is a unique expression of heart, mind, and soul—unique moments that cannot be replicated, but remembered and cherished.
There has never been a more important moment to carry forward the mission of Love in Music. At a time when so many goals come at great cost, I am deeply moved by the dedication of those who selflessly give to this organization. At a time when distractions abound, I am especially inspired by the high school students who devote their time and talent to serve the younger generation.
A favorite quote often comes to mind: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.” In a world of more than eight billion people, Love in Music remains one of those groups—making a difference through music, through service, and through love.
I look forward to working with our board, our volunteers, our students, and our community as we continue this meaningful journey together.Musically yours,
Dr. Gene H. Moon
Music Director / Love in Music
September 2025 –
Board of Directors
Kwanil Park, President/CEO
Gloria Y. Lee, Exec. Director/Secretary
Joseph S. Kim, Financial Director/CFO
Dr. Gene H. Moon, Music Director
Daniel S. H. Lee, Planning Director
Vincent J. Choi, Planning Director
Welcome and Appreciation from the Board of Directors
Celebrating Nearly Two Decades of Harmonious Journeys
Ever since Love in Music was founded in the wake of the 4.29 L.A. Uprising with a vision to empower youth and build a diverse community, Love in Music has continued to grow during the past 18 years. From a humble initiative within the Korean community, we have evolved into a beacon of hope, touching the lives of over 1,000 children in the communities across the Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and South Bay area through our dedicated team of musically gifted volunteers.
Through the winter and annual concerts, we have showcased the transformative power of music, bringing together our volunteers, students, and their families across our three branches and the members of the wider community and demonstrating the profound impact of music in fostering unity and understanding among the ethnically and culturally different communities.
We invite you to join our movement and support our cause. Whether through volunteering to teach and coordinate, financial donation, or instrumental donation, your contribution enables us to continue spreading love and harmony through music. Details on how to support our mission can be found in the “Get Involved” button on our website – https://www.loveinmusic.org
Love in Music, led by President Kwanil Park whose visionary leadership has guided us throughout the time with unwavering dedication for our community, is grateful for three music directors including Dr. Jinshik Jung (2007-2012), Mr. Daniel Yoonjae Park (2012-2021), and Dr. Kangwon Lee Kim (2021 to present) whose expertise has not only shaped the talents of our teaching volunteers but also dazzled us with their professionalism and virtuosity with dedication and commitment in the course of fulfilling our mission.
Thank you for your unwavering support as we continue to spread unity and harmony through music. Together, we can make a difference!!
Board of Directors
LOVE IN MUSIC