At the same time that music
education programs at schools throughout the United States are being reduced
due to economic cut-backs, community support has allowed significant growth of
Guitars In The Classroom's (GITC) innovative music integration programs at many
locations around the country. One geographic area that has seen an
unprecedented expansion of GITC fund-raising and instructional activity has
been the state of Florida, where a high number of ELL (English Language
Learners) and at-risk students has created an extreme need for programs like
GITC that increase students' positive feelings about school as well as their
academic success.
The recent increase of grass roots
support throughout Florida has allowed GITC to establish new music integration
programs that will bring the benefits of music participation to students in
Jacksonville, Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Awareness and funding in these cities
is being generated by local advocates and activists who are choosing to make a
difference in their communities by helping Guitars in the Classroom provide
crucial training to teachers.
Jessica Padron, a 24-year old
resident of Miami and the founder of the south Florida online music magazine,
Grunge Kat, worked day and night for weeks to launch the first of several
awareness and fund-raising events for GITC. Dedicating her energies to
securing, planning, promoting and staffing a music performance booth at the
recent Miami Music Festival, Jessica was able to raise enough money to launch
GITC's first teacher training program in Miami. Partnering with Jessica was
Florida-based Luna Guitars and Yvonne deVilliers, who donated a beautiful,
limited-edition, Henna Oasis Cedar acoustic guitar for
silent auction.
"I created Grunge Kat Magazine to
support the advancement of local musicians and also to raise awareness of the
importance of education through music because I believe music is a key
component in a child's healthy development both socially and mentally," says
Jessica. "As an organization that combines music and education, GITC gave Grunge
Kat an opportunity to support music integration and contribute to giving teachers
the tools they need to introduce education through music to their students. I
am extremely grateful to Jessica Baron and the entire GITC organization and
look forward to our next event."
In another generous and
astoundingly profound effort to support GITC, South Florida residents Al and
Colleen Glass reached out to the organization after their adult son Alex passed
away tragically in September, 2009. Honoring his passion for music and guitar,
and the difference the instrument made in their son's life, the Glasses have
contributed to GITC and asked all of Alex's friends and loved ones to do
likewise. Through this concerted effort the family has raised enough funds to
support GITC programs in multiple locations while also creating a living legacy
for Alex and assuring that his 5-year old son Connor, along with thousands of
other youngsters, will share his father's love of music every day through GITC's
classroom music programs.
Working closely
with GITC's executive director, Jessica Baron, individuals like the Glasses,
Jessica Padron and many others are building a lasting foundation for GITC and
music integration in their state and throughout the country.
