Friday, March 2nd!  

Benefit Concert featuring performances by

James Durbin and Orianthi!

6:30 PM at Center Staging in Burbank!

Tickets and information available HERE

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In memory of Bert Page, a Scholarship Fund has been created for children who wish to attend the Burbank Music Academy.   Bert always encouraged her son, Jeff, to play, and now in her name, we hope to encourage others.  To Donate, please click below, and thank you.

Thank you to the following donors:

Gary James – New York

Michael Jacobson – Los Angeles

Aaron Solomon – Burbank

Timothy Phillips – New York

Bonnie Rose – Indio

Stacie Somes – Anaheim

Hirano Misa – Japan

Richard Abronson – Woodland Hills

“As a band we believe music tuition should be available to anyone who wants it. It greatly benefits the individual, which in turn benefits the country.”     Bono

“Music is the universal language. It has the ability to transcend and convey every human emotion that exists without saying a word. Music kept me off the streets and out of trouble and gave me something that was mine that no one could take away from me. Music education and families are dealing with the economic times, and I wanted to help them. If I can help a kid discover a liking, or even a passion for music in their life, then that’s a wonderful thing. Music has provided a good life for me and hopefully it can help make life better for others….”   Eddie Van Halen

With music programs in schools being cut back, many kids who have a passion for learning to play music either have to learn via YouTube, or pay for an after school program.   But not everyone has parents who can afford an extra $200 – $350 per month for rock school.

What do kids get from being in a rock school, and performing “classic rock” on stage?  The Real School of Music, one of our partner schools in Boston, compiled a list of Ways Children Benefit From Music.  But beyond that, what I see is that these kids gain an immense amount of confidence and self-esteem.

Research shows that self-esteem and confidence in children leads to successful, fulfilled lives.  In addition, because our scholarship students attend these schools with children whose parents are financially better off than they are, it can be a very expanding experience for them.   Together, these factors can be profound.

Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics

Help Kids Rock!  

We are a relatively young program – the IRS approved our 501(c)3 status in August of 2010, and we had our first fundraiser in September 2010 with Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics as our special guest performer.  But in that short time, I have personally seen our scholarship students undergo incredible metamorphoses.   One student went from being a kid of color who felt out of place in a mostly white school, who would try to be a clown and make kids like him, to becoming one of the most admired musicians there, and part of the honored house band.  At 14 years old and 6’7” he could not help but stand out.  His weight skyrocketed  to 240 lbs. as he struggled with his confidence.  But just a few months later, he’s slimmed down, he’s hanging with newfound friends, and he’s one of the school’s most accomplished students.

Another scholarship student who has Autism, fell into a deep depression and his grades plunged when his mother lost her job and could no longer afford his after-school music lessons.  They found the RSSF and he now has a 3.6 GPA, bandmates, a social life, and a potential future career in the music industry.  For parents of children with Autism, the idea that their child will one day be a self-sufficient adult with a career is huge.  We are humbled to be able to assist with that.

We want to help kids rock.  $5,000 sponsors at least one child for one year.  Please click below to donate!

Kind regards,

Wendy Winks

Co-Founder, Executive Director

Fundraiser Hosted by Guitar Center

Highlight reel:

Click Here to learn more about the event and our sponsors!

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Special Thanks to the following for our “new look!”

Fundraiser video:  Full Eclipse Media Group

Grpahic Design: Barbara Boros and Gina Liu

Website: http://www.bigideagroupnyc.com – Ed O’Callaghan

Photography:   Jody Delli Santi, and Sarvey Tahmasebi Rector

And of course a big thank you to Dave Stewart & the School of Rock Hollywood All Stars who performed at our inaugural fundraiser on September 12, 2010, and to AnQi Bistro and ONE LLP for hosting it!