Giving Tuesday Impact Stories

As the year comes to an end, it’s only natural that we look back in reflection on our programs and highlight those we have been able to reach through them. Here are just a few impact stories from teachers, former students and instructors that we work and have worked with to provide free lessons to students.

“Having the wonderful opportunity to take lessons with some of the ACG faculty helped me prepare for college level music studies and it’s still paying off!” – Javier Saucedo, Former Student at Akins HS, Currently a Student at UT

“The free private lessons provided by Austin Classical Guitar have had a tremendous impact on the guitar students at Travis High School. The program has become a ‘brass ring’ of sorts. Students chosen for the program must complete an application and obtain a recommendation from an academic teacher. They then must maintain passing grades in all of their classes to stay in the program. We currently have a waiting list almost 10 students deep. These lessons have encouraged improved their musical skills, increased academic achievement, improved self image, improved work ethic, and the program has also led to a vast improvement in the Travis guitar ensembles and a healthy competition between ensemble members. This year, the lesson program has led to students from Travis ‘moving up’ and taking lessons through Austin Community College with Dr. Thomas Echols. Graduates of the Travis program are currently attending Austin Community College, the University of Mary Hardin Baylor, Texas State, and Del Mar College….all studying Classical Guitar. I cannot thank Austin Classical Guitar enough for their support and the encouragement they provide!” – Susan Rozanc, Music Educator, Travis HS

“Teaching free private lessons to underprivileged high school students has been incredibly spiritually rewarding. Providing kids with opportunities to grow as musicians, scholars and individuals is the greatest joy of my work.” – Brent Ferguson, ACG Teacher

“In my time with Austin classical guitar at Akins high school, I received the honor of experiencing the outreach program’s Private lessons. Being In an ensemble is amazing, we work as a team and are a family, however receiving private lessons I was able to discover my strengths and weaknesses. The lessons being one on one, provided the opportunity to work at a steady pace and pin point what I struggled with, this allowed me to build upon my weaknesses and become a more confident classical guitarist.” -Francisco De la Rosa, Former Student at Akins HS

“Over the course of my past year teaching at Mendez Middle School I’ve come to understand the true breadth of the impact of ACG’s free lessons initiative. Beyond instruction on how to play the guitar, this program provides the opportunity to engage students on a level that only arts immersion can offer; they are are exposed to elements of collaboration and modes of critical thinking that can influence their lives well beyond the context of school, and all through the intimate, enriching medium of music. It’s a shame that such programs aren’t a standard part of public education–Austin Classical Guitar is providing a vital service to which, otherwise, students in these communities would never have access.” -Colin Fullerton, Teacher at Mendez MS

“As an instructor, I loved the connections that I made with the students in individual lessons supported by Austin Classical Guitar. It was very rewarding to see their progress increase as their confidence grew. I was excited to watch the students identify and express themselves through guitar.” -Janet Grohovac, Instructor at Annunciation Maternity Home & Silicon Labs

“I want to take the time and give thanks to Austin Classical Guitar, for providing free lessons to Travis High School Students and myself.  Being able to have the experience of learning a new instrument sometimes does not come cheap, however because of the program offered at my school, I was able to learn classical guitar. Learning classical guitar has impacted my life in so many ways. I have learned to play with an ensemble, be part of a community that keeps growing everyday, meet new people who are also passionate in what they do, and it has even opened many doors for me. It also helped me keep my grades up, and has also improved my musical skills. I am now attending Del Mar College, and till this day I still keep studying classical guitar. I am very grateful for the opportunity that Austin Classical Guitar gave me, and also for the great support that they still keep giving me today. I also want to thank all the supporters that give to this program, because if it wasn’t for them, I would probably not be the person that I am today!”          -Susy Diaz-Lopez, Former Student at Travis HS

 

 

In honor of GivingTuesday, any contributions made to ACG today will go directly to funding our free lessons for kids in Title 1 school programs. Lessons for one year cost $750 per child – the results are transformative.

Help us continue to change lives through music!