For 3 years in a row (2012 to 2014), I taught a Digital Music course for teenage students at my studio, as part of a program called “Seeds to Trees”. This was a project funded by a grant obtained by the Santa Ana Public Library, and administered jointly by the library and the Rancho Santiago Community College District. For various reasons, these students, all from Santa Ana, had been deemed “at risk”. In my opinion, each year’s students demonstrated to me that they were all simply “at risk” for achieving great things in their lives. Without exception, these students were a complete delight to work with. The learning experience went both ways, to be sure, and I could not be more proud of what these students have achieved.

During the first year’s class, the Santa Ana Public Library learned of a national “Teen Video Challenge” competition. I was asked (along with several other video production/post-production colleagues/friends who are also instructors in the same program, teaching script writing, videography, video editing, graphics, marketing and more) to start working with the students towards creating a winning video for this national competition, held on a state-by-state basis. Our students won first place in the 2012 and 2013 California statewide competitions! It was an amazing experience to be in the Santa Ana City Council Chambers, when our students received accolades and a standing ovation from hundreds present, two years in a row.

As was the case the previous two years, the 2014 video competition called for teenagers to create a video, not more than 90 seconds in length, which would promote the use of their local public library. For this year’s video, they were also instructed to somehow incorporate the slogan/theme “Spark a Reaction” (the 2012 theme was “Own the Night”, and the 2013 theme was “Beneath the Surface”). Under our guidance, each year’s new students did all of the work creating a Rap/Vocal Music video. Although the 2014 video did not win first place, I am bursting with pride because of the dedicated work of our students all 3 years. The lyrics, the rapping, the music, the singing, the “choreography”, all reflect the thought, energy, creativity, and complete commitment these students gave. Although I’m obviously biased, I think “my” students deserved to win all 3 years! I think you’ll agree after watching these videos.