The paper draws on historical texts, publications and compositions of the Russian/Soviet composer Dmitri Kabalevsky (1904-1987) in relation to his theoretical and pedagogical work on music for children and young people. Throughout his life devoted considerable energy to enabling access to music for all people. While much of his focus was on young people his influence spread beyond the classroom and music studio to concert halls and broadcasts.From his appointment as Honorary Life President of ISME in 1972 he directed his ideas to an international audience. In his writings he referred to building bridges into the world of music. In his writings and approach to music for children he took care to emphasise that “when I speak of music I always have in mind the great art of music and not music simplified specifically for children”. Kabalevsky was careful to consider the relationship of the composer, performer and listener while acknowledging and equipping the teacher as part of the broader experience. In his compositions, particularly for piano he provided access for young people to the repertoire through building skills and techniques that prepare for an exploration of larger work. It was through his songs and choral works that we see the development of simple ideas coming together to form larger more complex works.He took as his introductory premise his “three whales”- the song, the dance and the march. He argued that these three forms are known and experienced by children and provide direct application to larger works. From these three forms he took children into what he described as the “great world of music”. Through this approach he was not considering small movements but major works in the repertoire. He introduced the work, provided access to the ideas around the work, and gave the children time to listen and watch a performance.Principally through the experience of listening Kabalevsky provided the skills to bridge the experience of young people into the repertoire providing access, understanding and appreciation. The paper will draw on a range of Kabalevsky’s compositions to illustrate the application of his work and approach. His ideas and teaching bridged not only the knowledge and experience of music but also the cultural, social and political spheres that impact on each individual within society. His work and practice brought people of various backgrounds together and promoted a more just and compassionate society.