In March 2016, students from Stockdale High School in Bakersfield, California, decided to start volunteering at a local retirement facility. Instead of simply volunteering their time, the students decided to bring their unique talents to service the seniors. Some sang with them, some danced with them, and one by the name of Isaac Kim played violin for them. After a few months, other students moved on, but Isaac decided to continue and his brother, Ian Kim, violinist, joined him.
Over the years, Isaac and Ian had their friends perform with them from time to time, but they were unable to recruit them in regular bases. However, they did not get discouraged and continued to perform week after week. They especially loved to perform at Memory Care Unit where most people did not recall seeing them perform the week before, but asked them to come following week to perform for them.
The group did not thrive until 2017, when Christina Xin, Giana Park, Jeannie Yuan, Zaylie Pascillas, Philippe Marinas, and Rachel Pan join Kim brothers on a regular basis and Music of Bakersfield was born. In early 2018, they welcomed cellist Anna Jian, violist Daniel Yuan, and double bassist José Iñiguez and expect more people to join them.
The mission of Music of Bakersfield is to bring young volunteers and senior citizens together through the joy of music. We believe in the healing power of the music and especially love to perform for Alzheimer's and Memory Care patients.
Our volunteers are currently performing weekly at three retirement facilities as well as the Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County, Art and Spirituality Center at Mercy Hospital Downtown, and other special events like fundraisers for school orchestras. Through their fundraising effort, seven of our volunteers will be performing at Carnegie Hall on April 2018.
They also perform for local churches and through their involvement in the event Bach In the Subways, they continue to explore different avenues to spread and share their joy of music.
Music of Bakersfield and it's volunteers are nominated for Beautiful Bakersfield Award based on their "outstanding efforts to enhance the quality of life in Bakersfield during 2017". They will be honored on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at the Double Tree by Hilton.
Thank you for dropping by and we hope you can support us as well as other musical organizations.
Music of Bakersfield is nominated for Beautiful Bakersfield Award on June 2018.
Music of Bakersfield featured on 29 Eyewitness News
Bach in Amtrak Station featured on 29 Eyewitness News
Music of Bakersfield featured in
Bakersfield Californian Newpaper
The Stockdale High School Symphony Orchestra performed in a showcase concert at the New York International Music Festival held at Carnegie Hall on April 24, 2018.
Thank to your support and our fundraising effort, seven of volunteers will be performing at this event.
Music of Bakersfield Welcomes José and Daniel.
Volunteers from Music of Bakersfield performed at Mercy Hospital Downtown. Thank you Emily Hernandez for arranging this for us.
Thanks to San Dimas Medical Group and Mrs. Lynn Del Mundo for letting us perform at San Dimas Medical Group.
Music of Bakersfield volunteers are performing at Walk Through Bethlehem
Music of Bakersfield is happy to announce that our volunteers will be performing regularly at Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County
Music of Bakersfield like to welcome Rachel to our group.
Music of Bakersfield was invited to perform for a special event at Rosewood Retirement Community to celebrate and welcome the holiday season.
Music of Bakersfield volunteers performed during special Thanksgiving Luncheon at Pacifica Senior Living, Spring Valley, Las Vegas.
During Thanksgiving Holiday, Isaac and Ian performed at Acacia Springs Resort Retirement Living & assisted Living Oasis, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Just in time for Thanksgiving 2017, Philippe decided to perform with us this week.
Our own Isaac Kim was Violin Soloist for The Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra Concert.
On October 19, 2017, Music of Bakersfield performed at Stockdale High School Orchestra Fundraiser Dinner and raised fund through Silent Auction.
Photo shoot did not turned out as planned. It was like trying to get six cats to cooperate.
Volunteers from Music of Bakersfield are performing weekly at Brookdale Riverwalk, The Village at Seven Oaks, and Rosewood Retirement Community.
Even though we have been performing since March of 2016, we finally decided to make it official.
