When 7-year-old Jaxon Lopez of Long Beach one day picked up a guitar recognizably playing Seven Nation Army by White Stripes last summer, his musician father realized he had to encourage his son’s budding talent and enroll him in The Youth Center elementary school Music Program.
“As you might imagine, I was ecstatic when Jax showed an interest in playing music,” said father Josh Lopez who has been an active musician for just over 27 years, and currently plays in a band called The Sly Digs where he plays bass and sings with three of his very best friends. Music is an extremely important part of his life and always has been.
Jaxon started playing on his own accord after getting a guitar at the age of 5. He now plays guitar, ukulele, keyboard, hand drums and some banjo taking lessons for about a year now.
He showed interest on his own accord, and his father makes a deliberate point to never be overbearing or pushy when it comes to his son’s relationship with music.
“I want him to play because he loves to, not because dad does,” said his father.
“My job is to provide as much love, encouragement and support as humanly possible as with all aspects of his young life.”
“I hope that writing and playing music will be as inspiring and fulfilling for him as it has been for me,” he said.
Josh recognized his son’s interest in music from an early age, saying Jaxon has always loved listening to and interacting with music, and that he’s got an unbelievable recall when it comes to melodies, sons and artists.
“He can hear a song once, and six months later (or even a year later), he’ll recognize the melody and tell you who the artist is and the song title,” said Josh. He and his wife, Karen, foster their son’s musical ability by providing unconditional love, support and encouragement along the way, and by making sure Jaxon has the physical tools of instruments and lessons through the Youth Center in order to move forward.
They say hearing Seven Nation Army by White Stripes last summer sealed the deal for him to pursue music.
“He came downstairs with his guitar in hand, sat down and plunked on the strings until he figured out the riff,” said his parents. “He then proceeded to play that riff over and over for two to three weeks solid.”
They both feel that music has definitely helped their son in building self confidence, and having an outlet to express himself.
Jaxon is currently in electric guitar lessons with Nicola (last name) at Applied Music through The Youth Center in Los Alamitos. Jaxon’s favorite thing about music is composing his own made up songs as he makes up cords.
“I don’t know how Jaxon would be without the Youth Center Music Program and the personal relationship we have with the Youth Center,” said Josh.
For the remainder of April, the Youth Center is holding their annual Community Support Campaign fundraising drive.
If you are interested in becoming a campaigner or donor for kids like Jaxon in the Music Program and more, please visit online at www.theyouthcenter.org.