Learn more about the Sea Star Kids Foundation!

 

Sea Star Kids Foundation was formed in September 2023 by Daphne Washburn and Leslie Kashiwada. Sea Star Kids Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to providing Music Together® and other creative arts classes to families with children on the Mendocino coast, regardless of their ability to pay.

 
Please consider donating to the Sea Star Kids Foundation! You can make a tax deductible donation here! Please indicate your donation is for Sea Star Kids Foundation. Thank you for your support!
 
Sea Star Kids Foundation is a registered 501.c.3 organization Federal Tax ID is 93-3586980.
Receipt for donation can be provided on request.
Read about our Board of Directors here.
 
Your tax-deductible contribution to Sea Star Kids Foundation will go into our scholarship fund, which allows us to reduce our tuition for all families and offer generous scholarships for those in need. Our goal is to serve at least 100 families in our small and diverse community, with over one third of residents identifying as Latino. The median household income is only $46K and many residents live paycheck to paycheck. Sea Star Kids Foundation fills a great need to assist families in developing healthy and balanced children for many generations to come. Please join us in building this program that will serve so many families that are struggling. 
Thank you for your support of our programs and the families on the Mendocino Coast!
 
Parents sing our praises.
 
"[My child] and I really enjoyed MT class and it’s incredible how much her speech has improved and her ability to count beats! Her papa and I are both musicians, so we are extra excited for these skills." -Hannah
 
"My family moved to the coast 3 years ago during covid when my daughter was just 3 months old. We didn't know anyone here but signed her up for Music Together® Sea Stars, and made so many new friends. Our daughter has benefitted so much by learning critical ways to communicate and play before she could even talk. Our family is so grateful to have this rare gem in our community and will continue to support them." - Evelyn
 
"We all love Sea Star! My three year old loves dancing during music class and making new friends in the play gym. My five year old loves animal songs and experimenting with different instruments. I love singing along with the music, catchy but not cloying; the sense of community, gathered and growing; and learning together with my kids, with music and play! Thank you, Sea Star." - Nisrene 
Sea Star Kids Foundation - Board of Directors
 
Leslie Kashiwada, President
Ph.D. Oceanography, Scripps Institution of Oceanography (1985)
Adjunct Professor of Biology, San Diego State University, CSU San Marcos, MiraCosta CC
Professor of Biology (1986-1999), MiraCosta Community College
Certified Music Together Teacher (2003-present)
Director, Music Together on the Mendocino Coast (2005-2022)
Graduate, Start Up Mendocino (2022)
Co-owner, Sea Star Studios LLC (2022-2024)
Community Activist: Citizens for Appropriate Coastal Land Use (CACLU), Fort Bragg
Headlands Consortium, Grass Roots Institute Noyo Headlands Working Group

Rachelle Sutherland, Vice President
Winter Weather Shelter program, House Manager, Hospitality House & Center (2017-2019)
Deputy Director of Mendocino Food Network / Fort Bragg Food Bank (2019-present)
Duties include leadership and operational oversight for food access programs serving
Mendocino County, working collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and community partners
to address food insecurity and strengthen local systems of support.
Prop 47 Board Member (2025-present)
Contributing to efforts that advance restorative practices and community-based solutions.
Rachelle is a Music Together grandmother and an engaged community leader. Her work is
informed by a deep commitment to the well-being of the community she serves.
 
Sara Gamble, Secretary
Sara is a Music Together mom, dedicated to experiential early childhood education through
art and ecology.
Professional experience as a photojournalist and elementary school teacher.
Formal education in photojournalism and natural history (B.A. Prescott College, 2007),
sustainable communities (M.A. Northern Arizona University, 2010), elementary education
(California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, Dominican University, 2013) and
sustainability education (Ph.D Prescott College, 2025).
Sara believes music, and art more broadly, are crucial tools for learning, connecting,
communicating, and bringing joy.

Daphne Washburn, Treasurer
Music Technology Associate's Degree (2006)
Certified Music Together Teacher (2014-present)
Graduate, Start Up Mendocino (2022)
Director, Music Together Sea Stars (2022-2024)
Co-owner, Sea Star Studios LLC (2022-2024)
18 years experience in business management