(Lukas H., age 11, plays the “Star Wars Theme” while guitarist, Danny Johnson, looks on).
Students at The Schuler Music Studio have been working hard over the past few weeks in the studio’s first ever Practice-A-Thon, which saw them raising money for the Playing For Change Foundation. Funds were raised according to the amount of time each student spent in weekly practice at their instruments.
“This project is about kids creating positive change in the world. It’s about kids helping other kids through their shared experience of music,” explained The Schuler Music Studio’s Executive Director, Mary Ruth Schuler. “It’s been amazing to watch our students throw their hearts into this. They’re already making a difference in the world at such a young age, and I’m thrilled that we were able to give them this opportunity. Because of how enthusiastic our students have been and how much they’ve embraced the idea of being ambassadors for these other kids, we’re going to make this an annual fundraiser.”
The Schuler Music Studio’s charity Practice-A-Thon culminated in a “jam session” benefit recital this past Sunday at popular indie-artist performance venue Bar Lubitsch in West Hollywood. Backed by a band of professional musicians, the Schuler Music Studio’s students performed an eclectic mix of pop, rock and folk songs to a packed house of family and friends.
All told, the students have raised $2,400, 100% of which is going to The Playing For Change Foundation. The money they raised has been ear-marked for a Playing For Change school in Tintale Village, Nepal and will give 20 students there the opportunity to receive free music instruction and access to desperately needed humanitarian aid, including food, clothing, medicine and clean water.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our students,” Schuler said. “They’ve worked really hard. Over the course of this Practice-A-Thon, I’ve watched them grow as young musicians, and I’ve seen them inspired to create and express themselves musically. I know they’ve learned lessons about global consciousness and giving back. And they’ve made memories that they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives. We can’t wait to do this again next year.”
(Right: The Schuler Music Studio’s Executive Director, Mary Ruth Schuler, performs an original song, accompanied by percussionist, Tim Rogers)
The Schuler Music Studio is a concierge-style private music school, offering high-end music instruction in their clients’ homes in the Conejo and San Fernando Valleys in Los Angeles. For more information, please visit schulermusicstudio.com.
