LATEST OFFERINGS UPDATED!
![]() Kids may join us this summer for Level Up San Diego. Early reg is opening this week for invited students first, then general enrollment begins on May 16.
This pandemic recovery program made possible thanks to grant support from The San Diego Foundation. This summer our club groupings are grade range specific (K-2), (2-5), (6-8) and (9-12) Students in our GITC Summer Strummers Clubs in 13 school locations will be learning to sing, play ukulele (K-8) or guitar (9-12), make music from another culture thanks to the Center for World Music, and will receive and read a new book each week and write songs together about the themes and characters in their books thanks to Words Alive! GITC clubs will be open to students from any schools in the district on a first come, first enrolled basis. Clubs will fill up so early enrollment is encouraged. Please note that students enrolled in PrimeTime are not eligible for Level Up. For more information about Level Up, click HERE. |
SUMMER REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
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Support academic success while rekindling teachers' and students' creativity,
passion for learning, and social & emotional wellbeing
Our Mission
Guitars & Ukes in the Classroom trains, equips and inspires educators and staff to teach all subjects through the language of music and the power of song. GITC's professional development courses and classroom residencies, funded by donors, support highly-engaged student learning and restore music to its rightful place in childhood and society.
PROGRESS
Guitars & Ukes in the Classroom trains, equips and inspires educators and staff to teach all subjects through the language of music and the power of song. GITC's professional development courses and classroom residencies, funded by donors, support highly-engaged student learning and restore music to its rightful place in childhood and society.
PROGRESS
+17,000
educators trained since 2000 |
39
states are represented by the educators who are training in our programs |
22
years bringing music to cross curricular learning from coast to coast |
+250,000
students receive free musical learning through GITC each school year |

Our Vision
We envision the time when all students have free access to learning through music as a vital part of their academic education and social emotional development. Our goal is to make GITC available to educators wherever they serve through online instruction and resources.
We envision the time when all students have free access to learning through music as a vital part of their academic education and social emotional development. Our goal is to make GITC available to educators wherever they serve through online instruction and resources.
Get Started
I'm An EducatorI want to bring music to my district, school, classroom, or special learning environment!
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I'm An AdvocateSing it loud, I believe in music and I'm proud! I'm ready to learn how to get involved and be a part of the solution.
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I'm a Parent/GuardianI want my children to learn to make music at school or online.
How do I get started? |
WHY GITC?
Through music, students are connecting to the material with every part of themselves. Our educators report back that the GITC approach improves student enthusiasm, engagement, literacy, academics, and social-emotional awareness.
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Please check out our BLOG PAGE for the latest news from GITC including reading about our brand new sponsor, JAMBAR, and learning about iHeartRadio's KOGO AM George Chamberlin Community Leadership Award!
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How We Serve
A 501(c)3 nonprofit, funded by individual and corporate donations, GITC trains educators, school staff, and specialists to become capable and confident song leaders for learning. At no cost to teachers or schools, we offer ongoing courses after school and on weekends for educators, specialists, and school staff members. We also provide additional training and inspiration through artist residencies. Our programs make learning fun, inspiring, and memorable for students of all abilities. They include programs for English language learners as well as for students in in-person and virtual settings.
When teachers begin leading songs for learning, they report their students' engagement and enthusiasm for learning literacy, academics, and social-emotional awareness improves significantly.
Once they see how easy and fun it is to learn ukulele or guitar, many educators want to teach their students as a part of daily learning. When this happens, we help them procure instruments thanks to our awesome sponsors and at no cost to teachers, ever! Students begin strumming, singing, and songwriting together, often inspiring a joyful shift in school culture.
A 501(c)3 nonprofit, funded by individual and corporate donations, GITC trains educators, school staff, and specialists to become capable and confident song leaders for learning. At no cost to teachers or schools, we offer ongoing courses after school and on weekends for educators, specialists, and school staff members. We also provide additional training and inspiration through artist residencies. Our programs make learning fun, inspiring, and memorable for students of all abilities. They include programs for English language learners as well as for students in in-person and virtual settings.
When teachers begin leading songs for learning, they report their students' engagement and enthusiasm for learning literacy, academics, and social-emotional awareness improves significantly.
Once they see how easy and fun it is to learn ukulele or guitar, many educators want to teach their students as a part of daily learning. When this happens, we help them procure instruments thanks to our awesome sponsors and at no cost to teachers, ever! Students begin strumming, singing, and songwriting together, often inspiring a joyful shift in school culture.
PLEASE GIVE TO CHANGE LIVES
Our Core Values
Creativity, Integrity,
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Cross-Curricular Learning,
Caring & Respect
Well-Being for All Students & Educators
Creativity, Integrity,
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Cross-Curricular Learning,
Caring & Respect
Well-Being for All Students & Educators
GITC is also participating in San Diego Unified's pandemic recovery enrichment classes for students through the San Diego Foundation initiative called Level Up San Diego. We'll be opening Spring Strummer Clubs soon in 5 neighborhood communities.
When teachers become comfortable enough to begin leading songs for learning, they report that student enthusiasm, engagement, literacy and academic skills, and social-emotional awareness improve. Eventually most also begin teaching ukulele or guitar as a part of daily learning. We help them procure instruments thanks to our awesome sponsors! Students begin strumming, singing and songwriting together and this joyful approach to learning together often inspires an upbeat and artistic shift in school culture.
OFFERING MUSICAL TRAINING ALSO REQUIRES SUPPLIES!
With help from contributors and sponsors, GITC places instruments in their hands along with resources to acquire more so that each student can learn to strum and sing at school. Teachers are not asked to pay this, ever. We help them find resources and give everything we can. Your donations make this possible! Through GITC's free, inclusive approach, every student in participating classrooms learns to make music with their teacher.
With help from contributors and sponsors, GITC places instruments in their hands along with resources to acquire more so that each student can learn to strum and sing at school. Teachers are not asked to pay this, ever. We help them find resources and give everything we can. Your donations make this possible! Through GITC's free, inclusive approach, every student in participating classrooms learns to make music with their teacher.
Music Education with Music Integration - An Interdependent Vision

GITC believes that every student deserves a well-rounded education including weekly music integration for cross-curricular learning and also instruction in music taught by a credentialed music educator. We invite you to read up on the multitude of benefits in our blogs and also visit the NAMM Foundation website for music advocacy.
GITC stands with districts dedicated to strengthening their music education programs. We offer music faculties free training in our approach and select from among the participating music specialists, compassionate and patient instructors to teach music integration with GITC to their colleagues. When music specialists and classroom teachers team up, they can build a culture of music together where hearts, minds, hands and hallways are filled with song.
GITC stands with districts dedicated to strengthening their music education programs. We offer music faculties free training in our approach and select from among the participating music specialists, compassionate and patient instructors to teach music integration with GITC to their colleagues. When music specialists and classroom teachers team up, they can build a culture of music together where hearts, minds, hands and hallways are filled with song.
Contact Us
Guitars and Ukes in the Classroom
National Headquarters Mailing Address: 1286 University Ave, #389 San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 840-1010 info@guitarsintheclassroom.org |
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