More than 100 guests, students and instructors united in their common passion for music and attended the 6th annual Keyboard and Guitar Concert at The Youth Center in Los Alamitos on Wednesday, Feb. 24.
“Brady looks forward to the concerts every year,” said Furr of her son, who is in his third year with the Youth Center Music Program. “It really has built his self-confidence, focus and has allowed him to come out of his shell creatively giving him a sense of pride and accomplishment. She said of the Youth Center guitar instructor, Nikola Chekardzhikov that he’s great at allowing each student to shine by playing a solo in group songs.
“We think the Youth Center’s Music Program is wonderful!,” she continued. “Nikola is a great teacher, is very kind and patient. Brady looks forward to his lesson
every week!” Guitar instructor Chekardzhikov said that Brady is the veteran of the group, and at the concert he played the more advanced techniques of hammer ons and pull-offs.
“Music is really good for them in that they are learning to understand a different language,” said Stephanie Gaspar of her three children Daisy,5, Maxim, 7, and Isabella, 8, who attend McGaugh Elementary School. She continued to say that she is very pleased and said, “I think it is important to give young children the opportunity to learn music and the Youth Center does this — BRAVO!,” said Gaspar.
Another young and notable guitarist is first year musician 9-year-old McGaugh student Adrian Parra, who enjoys playing the electric guitar saying, “I really wanted to learn,” he said. “I’d like to play it next year, as I feel it’s my special talent.” Chekardzhikov said Adrian is really good with rhythms although he was only introduced to note reading and fingerpicking this year.
“Since taking classes at with the Youth Center, Adrian has discovered a talent that he didn’t realized he had,” said mother Sarah Parra. “He was reluctant to take guitar classes and first, but now that he has discovered that he is good at it, he is always excited to go to class.”
She continued to say, “The Youth Center provides a comfortable and supportive atmosphere in which a child can find those hidden talents. It’s important that kids have the opportunity to discover these talents inside of themselves that they would never had found on their own.”
Of his all his guitar students, Chekardzhikov said, “They have become better guitarists and musicians through the Youth Center’s Music Program. I have seen a big leap this year in note reading and musicianship.” Chekardzhikov has been an instructor with the Youth Center for the last four years.
Likewise, Valerie Zahn, the keyboard and piano instructor with the Youth Center Music Program for the last seven years shared she has seen a tremendous amount of growth this year. “They are maintaining a continued desire for learning music, showing much enthusiasm in their accomplishments in my classes and the recent concert performance.”
“For all my students, I have always wanted them to enjoy their music at whatever age they may be, and have a wonderful experience in their life to fall back on,” she continued. “I am grateful the Youth Center has this opportunity to reach out and touch so many young children’s lives with a musical education, and appreciate all the parents who are allowing their children to study music through the program.”
Since starting its Music Program over 25 years ago, The Youth Center has provided high-quality and affordable instruction to over 6,300 elementary students.