Program To Help Children

MUSIC PROJECT DESIGNED TO MENTOR

By Tabatha Hunter

Posted: November 12, 2009 at 4:56 a.m.

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BENTONVILLE — When Ambra Bruce of Bentonville was tasked with finding a community service project in one of her classes at North-West Arkansas Community College, she knew exactly what she wanted to do. And with a few phone calls and some paper fliers, Bruce started a music-mentoring program.

The program is designed to help bring children who are interested in music together with local musicians, and to raise money to help lessfortunate children pursue their musical dreams, Bruce said.

“Music is something I am really passionate about. I love it and even though I can not play personally, I want to make sure all of the kids who want to play will be able to,” Bruce said.

With just over two months of work under her belt, Bruce already has been able to raise $300 for the program by selling T-shirts and jewelry. Once all of the T-shirts have sold, Bruce will have $1,000 to give to local schools for their music programs, she said.

“Usually music is the fi rst thing to go when you are working with a budget so this is a way for me to help out,” Bruce said.

Later this week, Bruce’s program will host its first event with area musicians coming out to speak with any children who are interested in music.

From 2 to 4 p.m. Friday in room 203 at NWACC’s Burns Hall, a drummer, two guitarists, a bass player and a pianist will be on hand to speak with children about their instruments and to show them a thing or two about making music, Bruce said.

The event is free for anyone who would like to attend. All children who attend will receive a coupon for a free private lesson from Arkansas Musicworks in Bentonville, Bruce said.

“We are always trying to get people involved (with music) and sometimes the best way to get people involved is to show them what it is all about,” Greg Price, owner of Arkansas Musicworks, said.

By giving children a coupon for a free lesson, Price hopes to get children interested in music without their parents having to pay anything up front, he said.

For more information on the program, call Bruce at 685-8326.

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