Music Teacher in Boston Offers Life Lessons to Young

I'm Alex Villarreal with the VOA Special English Education Report, from voaspecialengli... | / voalearningenglish
Twenty-five-year-old Rick Aggeler says he discovered early in life that music is magic. He says: "Music made me feel like anything was possible."At the age of seven, a medical condition required him to have a brain operation. It also prevented him from playing sports. So his mother suggested that he learn to play drums instead.He says: "I started playing drums with Ronit Glick. She was my elementary teacher. I remember just the joy it brought to me. It was my favorite thing. Sixth grade was a new school and I had a hard time getting along with all the kids. And Ms. Glick just took me in and I had so much fun at the program. It just felt great all the time."Rick Aggeler graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, in two thousand seven. While there, he volunteered as a music teacher at a youth center in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. He helped create a small music club within the center. The Music Clubhouse at the Blue Hill Boys and Girls Club quickly grew. Young people come to the Music Clubhouse after school and during summer vacation. The club provides a safe environment to learn to play instruments and to perform together in bands. The club even has its own recording studio.The club has released two albums. The second album is called "Because of You."Fourteen-year-old Javon Martin performs under the name Yung Fresh. He joined the Music Clubhouse three years ago. He says he never thought he would be doing this. But now he gives shows and his music is on the radio. People are starting to see him as an artist.Ten-year-old Akheylah Hunter joined the club last year but did not play an instrument. Now, she plays piano and sings in a band. What she likes best, she says, is performing.The Music Clubhouse opened three years ago and has served almost five hundred young people. Rick Aggeler says preparing and performing is good for them. He says it gives them confidence and is also an escape from problems in their lives. They can write songs and rap about their problems. Rick Aggeler says he is happy but not surprised by the results of the Music Clubhouse at the Blue Hill Boys and Girls Club. He says as much fun as he has performing, it's even more fun to watch these kids grow up and develop. For VOA Special English, I'm Alex Villarreal.
(Adapted from a radio program broadcast 04Nov2010)