Articles written by Lydia Muraro

Lydia Muraro, Special to the Observer|Updated Apr 26, 2026

I am writing to bring your attention to a controversial new plan for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) music program, set for deployment in Fall 2026. Proposed by the new VAPA Coordinator, Jim Wang, this plan threatens to significantly delay instrumental music education and may circumvent the original intent of taxpayer-funded measures. Proposed Change Currently, SMMUSD students begin choosing between Choir, Band, or Orchestra in the 4th grade. Under the...