Meet René Canto-Adams 🎶

Fostering a Lifelong Love of Music at Franklin and Washington Elementary Schools

This profile is a part of a series exploring the impact of the BCE annual grant, and the educators and programs it supports in Burlingame Public Schools.

If you’ve ever heard a joyful melody drifting down the halls at Franklin or Washington Elementary, chances are René Canto-Adams is behind it. As a dedicated music teacher for both schools, Canto-Adams brings not only years of musical training and teaching experience, but also a deep passion for helping young students discover the joy of making music.

“I first started playing music in my own elementary school band in fourth grade,” Canto-Adams shared. “My desire to play in the middle school jazz band was the only thing that could get me out of bed and to school early!” That early love of music grew into a full-blown calling. After studying music performance and education at Santa Rosa Junior College, Sonoma State, and San Jose State, he earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music, and hasn’t looked back since.

Before coming to Burlingame, Canto-Adams taught middle and high school music in the South Bay. It’s the strength and spirit of our local schools that made him want to plant roots here. “The size and quality of Burlingame’s music programs are really special,” he said.

“It’s rare for districts our size to provide certificated music instruction to all students from TK through fifth grade, as well as such a wide range of electives in middle school. That’s a reflection of how deeply the community values the arts.” -Canto-Adams

Canto-Adams is quick to acknowledge the role BCE donors play in making this kind of comprehensive music education possible. “BCE’s financial and logistical support has been instrumental, not just in sustaining what we’ve built, but in giving us the freedom to innovate and grow.” With new state funding for arts education, he sees an exciting future ahead. “We’re expanding into a broader Visual and Performing Arts program, and I can’t wait to see how our already-strong music program continues to evolve.”

What does Canto-Adams hope his students take away from their time in music class? “More than anything, I want them to develop a lifelong love of music making. We use music as the medium to teach patience, collaboration, time management, leadership—the kinds of skills that remain with our students for the rest of their lives and help them become thoughtful, capable, kind people.”

When he’s not teaching, Canto-Adams can often be found performing as a professional woodwind musician with a variety of bands and productions, including the Bay Blue Notes at Warriors games, where he’s been spotted by more than a few surprised students and teachers. And when he’s home? He’s likely baking—always on the hunt for a better chocolate chip cookie recipe!

Thanks to your support, teachers like Canto-Adams help Burlingame kids discover their voices and passions, through music and beyond.

Franklin Elementary fourth and fifth graders perform in their 2025 Spring Concert.

How You Can Help Support Music Education in Burlingame Public Schools

In order to maintain the current level of support for music education in our schools, BCE will need to raise more than $970,000 next year to keep up with rising costs. BCE relies on generous support from parents, businesses and community members to meet its grant goals. Donations to BCE provide our schools with funding for enhancing the educational experience for every child in Burlingame. If you haven’t given yet this year, our suggested donation amount is $2,000 per student, but every dollar makes a difference. Consider joining our Scholars Circle by making a donation of $4,000 or more.

DONATE HERE