The Scholarship Audition Performance Preparatory Academy (SAPPA) began operating in 2002 with a mission to provide music and arts training for young people interested in developing their talents and preparing for scholarship opportunities.

SAPPA focuses on communities with high percentages of at-risk youth, many of whom may not have access to formal music training. By introducing students to the world of music and the arts, SAPPA helps open the door to creativity, discipline, self-expression, cultural awareness, and the many lifelong benefits that arts education can provide.

Our workshops serve students ages 7 through 18 and offer age-appropriate musical instruction aligned with the standard arts framework of the California public school system, including aesthetic perception, perceptual development, and conceptual understanding.

In 2010, SAPPA established the Watts-Willowbrook Music Academy (WWMA) and the Watts-Willowbrook Youth Orchestra (WWYO) as part of its broader cultural arts strategy. These programs create meaningful opportunities for young people in the Watts, Compton, and South Los Angeles communities.

Today, SAPPA offers music workshops in Pasadena and throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Programs are conducted at various community locations and focus on keyboard, guitar, and symphonic string instruments. The Watts-Willowbrook Music Academy also works in collaboration with El Sistema USA, connecting students to a larger movement dedicated to youth development through music.