The Fernando Pullum Youth Band

Fernando Pullum, Executive Director and Founder, is an educator and professional musician. Despite his difficult childhood growing up on Chicago’s Westside, the city’s toughest neighborhood, Fernando earned his bachelor’s degree in music education (1981) and master’s in trumpet performance (1983). Fernando moved to Los Angeles in 1983 to follow his dream of becoming an educator and professional musician. He assumed the music program at L.A.’s Washington Prep High School. Under his tutelage, the program thrived.

In 1989, LAUSD recognized Fernando’s music program as the first music magnet in South Los Angeles. During the years that followed, 100% of Fernando’s students graduated with a high school diploma and only one student failed to enroll in college during the next fifteen years. Fernando has been recognized by many organizations and individuals throughout his tenure, including Oprah, VH-1, the John Lennon Foundation and the State of California as its teacher of the year. He has performed and recorded with many industry greats, such as Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Jackson Browne, Etta James, Alicia Keys, Pharrel, John Legend and more.

Over the years, Fernando’s students have performed for many dignitaries, including President Ford and Prince Charles. The students have performed with Jackson Browne, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Lionel Hampton, Wynton Marsalis, Al Jarreau, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and many incredible musicians. They have opened the Playboy Jazz Festival four times and traveled to Cuba, Brazil, Spain, and New York. Recently, Mr. Pullum and the FPCAC Jazz Band were honored to perform at the Emmy’s Nomination Reception for Governors Michael Levine, Rickey Minor, and their music peer group executive committee. FPCAC provides quality arts instructions to under-served students in South Los Angeles. Through a program of structured instruction and curriculum, students build self-esteem,
develop civic responsibility through regular community service projects, and learn to apply the same dedication and commitment to academic achievement.

The FPCAC offers the following free classes: Piano, Guitar, Dance, Drums, Drama, Step, Tap, Music Production, Beginning Instruments, Jr. & Sr. Jazz Band and Choir. Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 4pm to 7:15pm at the FPCAC. Dinner and snacks are served daily.

Through Memorandum of Understandings with the following schools: Marcus Garvey, Cowan Elementary School, Grace Hopper STEM Academy and Windsor Hills Magnet the FPCAC provides free performing arts classes to students enrolled in their respective educational programs. These classes are taught by the FPCAC instructors during normal school hours at their sites. Additionally, the FPCAC administers a comprehensive Summer Camp program that engages and serves more than 150 students annually.