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Nonprofit · EIN 27-3274582

ELEMENTAL MUSIC

Tax-exempt · SANTA MONICA, CA 90404

Financials

$1.1M$1.1M2023$1.2M$1.3M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of ELEMENTAL MUSIC by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
June 30, 2025990$1,212,017$1,272,848-$60,831$1,135,847$968,669$167,178
June 30, 2024990$1,060,340$1,093,074-$32,734$633,382$292,984$340,398
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$627,746
of which government grants
$111,169
Program service revenue
$468,130
Investment income
$105
Net gain from sales of assets
-$3,424
Net income from fundraising events
$100,052
Other revenue
$116,036

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$0
Other salaries and wages
$741,443
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$822,610
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Accounting fees
$5,000
Occupancy
$202,828
Program services (functional)
$982,938
Management and general (functional)
$121,436
Fundraising (functional)
$168,474

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$633,382
Total assets, end of year
$1,135,847
Total liabilities, end of year
$968,669
Net assets, end of year
$167,178
Land, buildings and equipment
$18,052
Net assets without donor restrictions
$150,405
Net assets with donor restrictions
$16,773
Gross receipts
$1,359,992
Employees
57
Volunteers
90
Year formed
2010
State of legal domicile
CA

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
JOSEPHINE MOERSCHELEXECUTIVE & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Highest-paid employee
40$125,475
MARCIA CAPPARELAPRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer
5$0
BRENDA BENSONSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
3$0
JANIE DOCTERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0
OMAR LOVEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0
KENNETH BURGOMASTERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
KAY TIDWELLDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
ALLISON VAN ETTENDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
GIGI DECAVALLES-HUGHESTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
3$0
VICTOR KOMLOSDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
2$0
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 12 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
JOSEPHINE MOERSCHELEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Highest-paid employee, Former
40$112,000
MARCIA CAPPARELAPRESIDENT
Trustee or director, Officer, Former
1$0
VICTOR KOMLOSTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer, Former
1$0
BRENDA BENSONSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer, Former
1$0
JANIE DOCTERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director, Former
1$0
OMAR LOVEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director, Former
1$0
BRIAN DRISCOLLDIRECTOR
Trustee or director, Former
1$0
KENNETH BURGOMASTERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director, Former
1$0
ARATI DESAI WAGABAZADIRECTOR
Trustee or director, Former
1$0
KAY TIDWELLDIRECTOR
Trustee or director, Former
1$0
ALLISON VAN ETTENDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
CHRISTO RITTERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
1906 OLYMPIC BLVD, SANTA MONICA, CA 90404-3816
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
GIGI DECAVALLES-HUGHES, 1906 OLYMPIC BLVD, SANTA MONICA, CA 90404
Signed the 990
GIGI DECAVALLES-HUGHES, TREASURER
Phone
(310) 220-0349
Return prepared by
HUTCHINSON AND BLOODGOOD LLP

Mission

ELEMENTAL MUSIC CELEBRATES MUSIC-MAKING AND BUILDS COMMUNITY THROUGH EXCEPTIONAL YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS. OUR CORE VALUES ARE COMMUNITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, EQUITY, EXCELLENCE, AND THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF MUSIC.

990 for the year ended June 30, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • ELEMENTAL STRINGS: OUR SIGNATURE STRING ORCHESTRA PROVIDES STUDENTS IN GRADES 3 TO 5 WITH TWO LEVELS OF STRING ORCHESTRA: INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED. STUDENTS RECEIVE SECTIONAL REHEARSALS AND FULL ENSEMBLE EXPERIENCES UNDER PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS AND TEACHING ARTISTS. THE PROGRAM PREPARES STUDENTS FOR MUSIC STUDIES AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL. 55 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED IN THE 2024/25 SEASON AND THEY PERFORMED 3 PUBLIC CONCERTS. INSTRUCTION TOOK PLACE WEEKLY FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH EARLY JUNE.
    Expenses $93,968 · revenue $64,763
  • PRELUDE: THIS IS AN INTRODUCTORY-LEVEL STRING ENSEMBLE FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 3 TO 5. THERE IS NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO JOIN THIS PROGRAM AND MOST STUDENTS IN THE ENSEMBLE ARE LEARNING AN INSTRUMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME. PRELUDE PREPARES STUDENTS WITH A THOROUGH TECHNICAL AND MUSICAL FOUNDATION, INCLUDING NOTE-READING, AND PREPARES STUDENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN ELEMENTAL MUSIC'S MORE ADVANCED ENSEMBLES. 17 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED IN THE 2024/25 SEASON AND THEY PERFORMED 3 PUBLIC CONCERTS. INSTRUCTION TOOK PLACE WEEKLY FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH EARLY JUNE.
    Expenses $31,883 · revenue $18,462
  • ELEMENTAL BAND: OUR CONCERT BAND FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 35 WAS LAUNCHED IN 2013. THE ENSEMBLE HELPS YOUNG BAND STUDENTS DEVELOP ENSEMBLE SKILLS AND GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO PERFORM AS A FULL CONCERT BAND SOMETHING NOT AVAILABLE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MUSIC CLASSES WHERE STUDENTS ARE GROUPED IN INSTRUMENT-SPECIFIC CLASSES. 11 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED IN THE 2024/25 SEASON AND THEY PERFORMED 3 PUBLIC CONCERTS. INSTRUCTION TOOK PLACE WEEKLY FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH EARLY JUNE.
    Expenses $35,107 · revenue $11,992
  • OUR BERGMANN PROGRAM/ENCORE LESSON PROGRAM PROVIDED 98 SOCIOECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS IN GRADES 4 TO 12 FROM THE SANTA MONICA-MALIBU UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH FREE YEAR-ROUND PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS, INCLUDING SUMMER MONTHS. STUDENTS RECEIVED WEEKLY LESSONS RANGING FROM 30 TO 60 MINUTES DEPENDING ON AGE AND TECHNICAL ABILITY LEVEL. STUDENTS PERFORMED IN A FREE PUBLIC RECITAL.
    Expenses $239,717 · revenue $53,355
  • ELEMENTAL GUITAR: THIS UNIQUE PROGRAM PROVIDES CLASSICAL GUITARISTS IN GRADES 3 TO 8 WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND PERFORM AS AN ENSEMBLE RATHER THAN LEARNING AS A SOLITARY PURSUIT. THE PROGRAM SERVES A RANGE OF LEVELS, FROM TOTAL BEGINNERS TO ADVANCED GUITARISTS, ALLOWING FOR STUDENTS TO PLAY MORE ADVANCED PARTS YEAR AFTER YEAR. 21 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED IN THE 2024/25 SEASON AND THEY PERFORMED 3 PUBLIC CONCERTS. INSTRUCTION TOOK PLACE WEEKLY FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH EARLY JUNE.
    Expenses $30,105 · revenue $21,051
  • ELEMENTAL CHOIR: THIS CHILDREN'S CHOIR PROVIDES VOCAL MUSIC EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 3 TO 5, OFFERING THEM THE CHANCE TO LEARN HEALTHY VOCAL TECHNIQUE, SOLFEGE AND SIGHT-SINGING, AND ENSEMBLE SINGING WITH A FOCUS ON MULTI-PART HARMONIES. 27 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED IN THE 2024/25 SEASON AND THEY PERFORMED 3 PUBLIC CONCERTS, IN ADDITION TO OUTREACH PERFORMANCES. INSTRUCTION TOOK PLACE WEEKLY FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH EARLY JUNE.
    Expenses $29,842 · revenue $35,003
  • ACADEMY PHILHARMONIC: THIS IS OUR ADVANCED FULL ORCHESTRA FOR WIND AND STRING STUDENTS IN GRADES 6 TO 8. STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO BLEND MULTIPLE INSTRUMENT GROUPS AND GAIN AN INTRODUCTION TO TRADITIONAL ORCHESTRAL REPERTOIRE AHEAD OF PLAYING IN ORCHESTRAL GROUPS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL. AUDITIONS ARE COMPETITIVE EACH YEAR. 32 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED IN THE 2024/25 SEASON AND THEY PERFORMED 3 PUBLIC CONCERTS. INSTRUCTION TOOK PLACE WEEKLY FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH EARLY JUNE.
    Expenses $68,401 · revenue $37,250
  • ACADEMY STRINGS: THIS IS AN INTERMEDIATE STRING ORCHESTRA FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 6 TO 8 , DESIGNED TO HELP PLAYERS DEVELOP ESSENTIAL TECHNIQUE, MUSICALITY, AND ENSEMBLE PLAYING SKILLS NEEDED TO PLAY ADVANCED REPERTOIRE. MANY STUDENTS FROM ELEMENTAL STRINGS FUNNEL INTO ACADEMY STRINGS TO HONE THEIR SKILLS BEFORE BEING ACCEPTED INTO ACADEMY PHILHARMONIC. THE 2024/25 SEASON WAS THE FIRST YEAR OF THIS ENSEMBLE. 19 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED AND THEY PERFORMED 3 PUBLIC CONCERTS. INSTRUCTION TOOK PLACE WEEKLY FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH EARLY JUNE.
    Expenses $29,937 · revenue $23,133
  • ACADEMY WINDS: THIS IS AN INTERMEDIATE CONCERT BAND FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 6 TO 8, PROVIDING MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND STUDENTS WITH ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE MUSIC ALONGSIDE FRIENDS. STUDENTS EXPLORE FUN REPERTOIRE THAT SPANS MULTIPLE CULTURES AND GENRES, EVEN LEARNING THE BASICS OF IMPROVISATION. THE 2024/25 SEASON WAS THE FIRST YEAR OF THIS ENSEMBLE. 18 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED AND THEY PERFORMED 3 PUBLIC CONCERTS. INSTRUCTION TOOK PLACE WEEKLY FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH EARLY JUNE.
    Expenses $40,073 · revenue $19,113
  • CHAMBER MUSIC INSTITUTE: DESIGNED FOR INSTRUMENTALISTS IN GRADES 6 TO 12 AND VOCALISTS IN GRADES 6 TO 8, THE CHAMBER MUSIC INSTITUTE IS AN AUDITION-BASED PROGRAM FOR STRINGS, WOODWINDS, BRASS,PERCUSSION, GUITAR, AND VOICE. MUSICIANS ARE GROUPED IN SMALL, CONDUCTORLESS ENSEMBLES AND WORK WITH A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN IN COACHINGS EACH WEEK. CHAMBER GROUPS RECEIVED 24 WEEKLY COACHINGS FROM LATE SEPTEMBER THROUGH LATE MAY, HAD TWO MASTER CLASSES WITH GUEST ARTISTS, AND PERFORMED IN TWO PUBLIC RECITALS. THERE WERE 57 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE 2024/25 SEASON.
    Expenses $83,250 · revenue $64,773
  • TEACHING FELLOWSHIP: OUR TEACHING FELLOWSHIP LAUNCHED IN FALL 2022 WITH THE GOAL OF EXPANDING THE FUTURE POOL OF TEACHING ARTISTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM UNDERREPRESENTED BACKGROUNDS IN CLASSICAL MUSIC. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES HANDS-ON TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND MENTORSHIP FOR FOUR COLLEGE STUDENTS, WHO SUPPORTED WEEKLY ENSEMBLE PROGRAMS FROM LATE SEPTEMBER THROUGH EARLY JUNE. FELLOWS ALSO PARTICIPATED IN SIX PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS WITH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ARTS PROFESSIONALS.
    Expenses $26,139
  • ELEMENTAL @ WESTMINSTER: OUR IN-SCHOOL CORE MUSIC CLASSES AT WESTMINSTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, A TITLE I LAUSD SCHOOL IN THE VENICE NEIGHBORHOOD, PROVIDED ALL 370 STUDENTS FROM TK THROUGH 5TH GRADE WITH CORE MUSIC INSTRUCTION THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR. WE ALSO BROUGHT IN GUEST ARTISTS TO WORK WITH STUDENTS AND PRODUCED TWO CONCERTS.
    Expenses $121,529 · revenue $40,368
  • BROADWAY SINGERS: THIS WEEKLY AFTERSCHOOL CHOIR PROGRAM AT LAUSD'S BROADWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K2 GIVES YOUNG SINGERS AN INTRODUCTION TO CHORAL SINGING THROUGH AGE-APPROPRIATE PEDAGOGY AND REPERTOIRE. STUDENTS DEVELOP CONFIDENCE, LISTENING SKILLS, AND BEGIN TO CULTIVATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF MUSICAL TECHNIQUE AND PITCH. 29 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED AND THEY PERFORMED 3 PUBLIC CONCERTS IN THE 2024/25 SEASON. INSTRUCTION TOOK PLACE WEEKLY FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH EARLY JUNE.
    Expenses $32,140 · revenue $21,867
  • BROADWAY CHORUS: THIS WEEKLY AFTERSCHOOL CHOIR PROGRAM AT LAUSD'S BROADWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 3 TO 5 PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH A CHORAL EXPERIENCE THAT FOCUSES ON DEVELOPING VOCAL TECHNIQUE, MUSIC LITERACY, AND MORE. STUDENTS LEARN TO SING IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES AND THE ENSEMBLE IS A NATURAL CONTINUATION OF ENSEMBLE SINGING FOR SINGERS GRADUATING FROM BROADWAY SINGERS. 27 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED AND THEY PERFORMED 3 PUBLIC CONCERTS IN THE 2024/25 SEASON. INSTRUCTION TOOK PLACE WEEKLY FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH EARLY JUNE.
    Expenses $33,086 · revenue $22,007
  • BROADWAY STRINGS: THIS WEEKLY AFTERSCHOOL STRING ORCHESTRA ENSEMBLE AT LAUSD'S BROADWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 34 REQUIRES NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE AND INTRODUCES STUDENTS TO STRING INSTRUMENTS PLAYING ON THE VIOLIN, THE VIOLA, OR THE CELLO. STUDENTS LEARN THE BASICS OF MUSICAL TECHNIQUE AND MUSICIANSHIP, INCLUDING NOTE-READING. 15 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED AND THEY PERFORMED 3 PUBLIC CONCERTS IN THE 2024/25 SEASON. INSTRUCTION TOOK PLACE WEEKLY FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH EARLY JUNE.
    Expenses $30,741 · revenue $17,988
  • BROADWAY ORCHESTRA: THIS WEEKLY AFTERSCHOOL STRING ORCHESTRA ENSEMBLE AT LAUSD'S BROADWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 3 TO 5 IS AN INTERMEDIATE STRING ORCHESTRA AND A NATURAL CONTINUATION OF ENSEMBLE PLAYING FOR STUDENTS WHO STARTED LEARNING WITH US IN BROADWAY STRINGS. STUDENTS PLAY MORE ADVANCED REPERTOIRE AND CONTINUE BUILDING THEIR MUSICAL TECHNIQUE. 14 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED AND THEY PERFORMED 3 PUBLIC CONCERTS IN THE 2024/25 SEASON. INSTRUCTION TOOK PLACE WEEKLY FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH EARLY JUNE.
    Expenses $33,204 · revenue $14,272
  • EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC: OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSES PROVIDE A FOUNDATION IN MUSIC FOR CHILDREN AGES 4 MONTHS THROUGH 7 YEARS THROUGH AGE-APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES INVOLVING SINGING, MOVEMENT, AND INSTRUMENT PLAY. CLASSES ARE HELD IN 8 WEEK SESSIONS. THE PROGRAM SERVED 8 FAMILIES IN THE 2024/25 SEASON, WITH CLASSES OCCURRING FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH MAY. OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD DIRECTOR ALSO LED MULTIPLE CLASSES AT OUTREACH EVENTS INCLUDING AT THE SANTA MONICA PUBLIC LIBRARY AND THE SANTA MONICA ARTS & LITERACY FESTIVAL.
    Expenses $18,269 · revenue $3,670
  • SUMMER SOUNDS ACADEMY: THIS SUMMER CAMP FOR RISING 6TH THROUGH 9TH GRADERS OFFERS A FULL ORCHESTRA EXPERIENCE. THE CAMP RUNS TWICE A WEEK FOR FIVE WEEKS. STUDENTS LEARN ADVANCED REPERTOIRE AND HAVE THE CHANCE TO PLAY AS A CONDUCTORLESS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA. SUMMER 2025 WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS CAMP HAS BEEN OFFERED. 16 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED AND THEY GAVE A CASUAL PERFORMANCE ON THE LAST DAY OF THE CAMP FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
    Expenses $5,547 · revenue $4,537

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025June 30, 2026November 16, 2026Not due yet
2024June 30, 2025November 17, 2025990 on file
2023June 30, 2024November 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
27-3274582
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
2010
Accounting year ends
June
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$1,135,847
Income (IRS master file)
$1,359,992

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990June 2025–––IRS
990June 2024–––IRS
990June 2023$1,160,495$1,020,755$581,269IRS
990June 2022$702,190$674,821$386,200IRS
990June 2021–––IRS
990June 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS publishes only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years appear here as 990.tax collects the monthly files. 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS.

Questions about ELEMENTAL MUSIC

What is the EIN of ELEMENTAL MUSIC?
The employer identification number (EIN) of ELEMENTAL MUSIC is 27-3274582.
Is ELEMENTAL MUSIC tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2010.
Are donations to ELEMENTAL MUSIC tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does ELEMENTAL MUSIC file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of ELEMENTAL MUSIC due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did ELEMENTAL MUSIC last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
Who is the principal officer of ELEMENTAL MUSIC?
The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names GIGI DECAVALLES-HUGHES.
Who are the officers and directors of ELEMENTAL MUSIC?
The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 10 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $125,475 (JOSEPHINE MOERSCHEL, EXECUTIVE & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR).
How much revenue does ELEMENTAL MUSIC have?
On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $1,212,017, expenses of $1,272,848 and total assets of $1,135,847 at year end.

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