Santa Cruz’s Very Own Rockstars in Waiting
After 100 productions over the last 10 years, putting on large rock concerts has become a bi-annual tradition for the students of Be Natural Music. Youth musicians from around Santa Cruz County practice weekly in preparation for 10+ performances a year. A minority of those youths’ band rehearsals are supported by a very special fund.
In December of 2012 that fund, fiscally sponsored by The William James Association, was created to assist low-income families with monthly financial aid towards bands, music lessons, summer band camps, & more. The fund’s infancy began by providing $100 scholarships a month and has grown to a whopping $1,800 per month for 30 recipients. To encourage donations towards this music scholarship fund, Be Natural Music launched fundraising raffles and silent auctions at their popular youth rock concerts & garnered donations from businesses in and around the Bay Area.
“It really is an incredible achievement,” exclaims Matthew Pinck, Music Director at Be Natural Music Academy. “Being present for our community has been a focus since we started the scholarship fund, I never thought it would grow this big!”
Their upcoming fundraising raffle/concert on May 2nd will once again rock the Michael’s on Main stage, showcasing not only the unique talent of 13 bands but conjointly raising money to fund their scholarship initiative to financially assist low-income students in music lessons.
The show, featuring a wide arrangement of covers from Nirvana, Metallica, & Van Halen to Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, & Dave Brubeck, to name a few, will involve 65 students & over 3 hours of crowd-pleasing tunes performed for an audience of family, friends, and fans.
“There were times when my daughter didn’t feel like she had a whole lot to live for and Be Natural Music was there,” says one parent of a current enrollee. “Beyond teaching an impressive variety of music and instruments, with obvious passion, they teach life skills which translate into success for the kids.” And Be Natural has seemingly done just that: Creating stories, crucial skills, & lifelong experiences that students will bring into adulthood and beyond.
With all proceeds raised from the raffle going towards the scholarship fund, it’s a big deal. These kids wouldn’t be exposed to musical opportunities otherwise hindered by a monetary wall.
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