Musical Empowerment

Musical Empowerment, one of Guitars 4 Gift’s recipient organizations, combines the life-changing benefits of music and mentorship to impact the lives of students and their mentors. Musical Empowerment was started as a student organization at UNC Chapel Hill in 2002. For two decades, Musical Empowerment has paired children from under-resourced communities with college mentors for free weekly one-on-one music lessons! They believe that all children deserve access to music education, but children from historically marginalized communities often have fewer opportunities.

They applied for instruments from Guitars 4 Gifts because providing instruments to their students at no cost helps to eliminate the financial barriers that low-income families might face. 96% of the children they serve are from low-income families. 100% of their families report that they could not afford private music lessons without Musical Empowerment. 

Musical Empowerment strongly focuses on social-emotional support for the students and mentors. Musical Proficiency is less of a priority than the benefits of mentorship and the one-on-one relationships that help build resilience and confidence in our pairs.

Meet Josiah, one of Musical Empowerment’s students: “Ten years ago, Josiah was in second grade when he began taking piano lessons with Katherine at our UNC Chapter of Musical Empowerment. After Katherine graduated, he began lessons with Luke (also from UNC). Josiah and his Musical Empowerment mentors grew together through music and a decade of music lessons. Not only was Josiah able to perform on the piano, but he also learned to play the cello, and compose his own music. Luke was cheering from the audience when Josiah walked across the stage to accept his high school diploma last spring. Congratulations, Josiah & the Class of 2022! Josiah didn’t navigate his senior year alone, Katherine and Luke both helped to navigate the college application process, essays, and scholarships. They also wrote letters of recommendation as Josiah pursued some of the top universities in the state of North Carolina. This fall, Josiah began studies at North Carolina State University to major in Civil Engineering and signed on to become a mentor at NC State’s Chapter of Musical Empowerment. 

It’s the power of music that motivates our college mentors to reach children from vulnerable communities. Not only does music support social, emotional, and academic growth, but it also provides greater opportunities for students later in life. Musical Empowerment seeks to empower students and their mentors through music education, growing their confidence and resilience. It is our hope that students develop a lifelong appreciation for music, graduate high school, attend college, and one day become mentors themselves, just like Josiah. I am proud to be a part of this impactful organization and celebrate the hard work of Josiah, Katherine and Luke.”

Musical Empowerment has grown from one collegiate chapter now to eight. Five chapters span the state of North Carolina (the University of NC at Chapel Hill, NC State University, NC Central University, Wake Forest University, East Carolina University, Duke University). They also have two out-of-state chapters: one in New Hampshire (Dartmouth College) and one in New York (Hunter College). In 20 more years, they hope to have chapters across the country! 

They exist because of incredible college volunteers! Their programming is mutually beneficial for both the college mentor and their student. Musical Empowerment serves nearly 400 students each semester and celebrates with spring/fall recitals at each chapter! Fundraising is critical - they are 100% community-supported (from individuals, institutions, and businesses) and receive no federal funding.

Boys and Girls Club of Oshkosh

Throughout this summer, 20 fourth-grade members from the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh Peace Adventure program have been learning the basics of how to play the ukulele. Our Club was lucky enough to receive 10 new ukuleles through a grant from Guitars 4 Gifts.

“Despite only starting this program a couple of months ago, I can already see a positive impact on our members. Some use it as a tool for stress relief, while others have used it as a tool to make new friendships. It has even helped bring our members out of their shells!” said Jessica McKenna, a Club staff member who has been teaching the new program this summer. “These instruments help our members to get to grow their skills by learning something new but also by working at a goal that they want to achieve.”

The kids have really enjoyed learning how to read basic music tablatures, how to care for the instrument, and just trying something new. Many of our Club kids often come from situations where access to instruments and lessons is limited, so this program really allows us to open doors for them. It has been a while since the Club has been able to offer a music program and we’re so excited to be able to give our members this opportunity. We have seen the positive impact that music can have on children, and hope to continue this program into the school year and next summer.

Overall, we have had a great time this summer with this program and I hope our members will want to keep pursuing their musical talents in the near future!

West Hawaii Explorations Academy Donation

Written by Yvonne Jayne

West Hawaii Explorations Academy is a STEM charter school on the Big island of Hawaii. An award-winning school, it has received national and international awards in solar engineering and robotics.

When Covid impacted Hawaii in 2020, cases were so extreme that the school had to shut down for a school year. The economy was crippled by unemployment spiraling over 20%. The severity of people’s isolation and financial struggles affected the students in negative ways. When the students returned to campus, the school administration realized students needed more than science and technology.

A plan was designed for students to create music to overcome the anxiety of what they were going through. Guitars 4 Gifts donated brand new ukuleles, and soon music began to emanate across the campus, creating cheer for teachers and support staff, as well as the students.

Volunteer teachers stepped in to help the students continue to learn to play music. The music classes were held three times a week during school days, and once a week after school. Middle and high school students participated in the music lessons. Where there had been despondency among the students, there was renewed joy and hope.

One student, in particular, who had been withdrawn and wore a hoodie to cover his face from other students, began learning the ukulele after school. He was shy at first, but within weeks, he was playing music and laughing with the other students. His transformation was amazing. This student went on to join other after-school activities, and soon he made new friends. This would not have been possible without the power of music.

Other students continued gaining confidence from practicing music. Teachers decided to let the school week start with “Music Monday,” an assembly time when students got up to perform music for the entire school. The teachers joined in, singing and playing their instruments for the students. This newfound emphasis on music became a school-wide phenomenon.

The teachers joined in, singing and playing their instruments for the students. This newfound emphasis on music became a school-wide phenomenon.

There is nothing else that could have cured the intensity of the students’ sorrow caused from the pandemic Guitars 4 Gifts, and the generosity it afforded to West Hawaii Explorations Academy, has given students hope for a positive future, one that will include a continuing music curriculum at West Hawaii Explorations Academy; and more importantly, many lifetimes of love for music.