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Local musicians inspire talented Plano youth
By Marthe Stinton, mstinton@acnpapers.com
While many public schools are fighting to hang onto their arts curriculum, one area couple works to make sure kids can receive their music education regardless of their financial ability.
Marc Solomon graduated from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts in Dallas and made a name for himself in the Dallas music scene. According to his website, during several recording and touring projects in Austin, Los Angeles and New York, Solomon penned somewhere close to 300 songs and worked with musicians as diverse as Tommy Stinson and Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Mary Armstrong is a graduate of The New School University in New York City. She has a BA in liberal arts with a major in creative writing. She has lived in New York City, Boston, Los Angeles and Holland. She is a guitar-playing singer-songwriter who has played bass in Penny Whistle Park and with Sara Radle, according to her website.
Solomon soon noticed that the children attending school were not the same children living in the neighborhood where the school was located. They began to wonder how they could expand their school to offer classes to those kids who may be unable to afford lessons or instruments. They decided to start a nonprofit organization to help those children, and Way Into Music was born.
“It was one of those things that the kids in our neighborhood didn’t come to our school because they couldn’t afford the program,” Solomon said. “Then there were some kids who were taking classes that just couldn’t afford it anymore. These were kids that were doing really well, but couldn’t afford lessons. We had the idea to sponsor a few of the kids and let the parents pay what they could.”
The group decided that if they wanted to keep helping with lessons, they needed to start a nonprofit. They did equipment drives, concerts and fundraisers in the name of Way Into Music. They are now in the process of becoming a 501(c)3.
“We started going to community centers and hooked up with the Boys and Girls Club,” Solomon said. “We did a trial run during the last month of the school year as we were trying to figure out what the kids wanted and what they wanted to play.”
The trial run was so successful they continued to offer classes during the summer. Recently, Way Into Music partnered with the Boys and Girls Club at the Douglass Community Center and will be helping with their music program, Solomon said.
“One of our kids has been with us for a very long time and has become an amazing musician,” Solomon said. “Last summer he went to the UNT summer jazz program and is well on his way to being able to get a scholarship to a music school. He is also going to be paying it forward and working 100 hours with the Boys and Girls Club to give back to the program that helped him get to where he is.”
Solomon said he hopes that more students will do the same. Currently, he is managing both Zounds Sounds and Way Into Music but said he is proud of both sets of students.
“We don’t treat the WIM kids any differently than the other kids,” Solomon said. “We try to work technique and make sure they understand how the instrument works. Our philosophy is to make it fun so they can embrace it. I tell my students that you always want to be ready for your next lesson. I always hope they will want to take it to the next level.”
Aubrey is a high school junior who has been working with the Way Into Music founders and teachers for years.
“I am a friend of the family, they have known me since birth and they decided to experiment with me, and I was the guinea pig for Way Into Music,” Aubrey said. “It turned out great and has blossomed into this amazingly cool program.”
Aubrey has taken bass guitar and vocal lessons with Zounds Sounds and Way Into Music for four years. She is now venturing into drums.
“I am coming up on my first year in drums,” Aubrey said. “I have learned so much and met so many friends. I have experienced things I never thought I would before. My teachers are my best friends.”
Aubrey said one of the things that made her continue her lessons was the fun.
“The classes are fun and exciting and you get the chance to pick up something that you could spend your future doing,” Aubrey said. “It’s a blessing that they have made this program for those kids who may not have enough money to buy their first instrument or pay for music lessons. If you want to do it, do it. It’s so worth it.”
Aubrey is currently in the Way Into Music Soul Review and is hoping to copy the musical styling of the queen of soul Aretha Franklin. Through her musical training, Aubrey said she was able to break out of her shell.
“I used to be one of the really shy kids who didn’t have a lot of friends,” Aubrey said. “But once I started music it’s really boosted my self confidence because I have this talent I never knew I had. My grades are good too.”
Max is another Zounds Sounds student who was unable to continue lessons. Solomon allowed Max to continue lessons through a sponsorship and eventually brought him into the Way Into Music family.
“I was determined to take lessons from here,” Max said. “I am taking my voice, piano and guitar lessons. When I started my voice lessons I couldn’t afford to pay, but they told me about Way Into Music. My voice has gotten so much better over the two years and I have learned how to play piano. I play a lot of instruments but only some thoroughly.”
Max said he has learned so much about music from his lessons and has brought friends and band mates along with him.
“Not only has it helped me but it has helped my friends,” Max said. “Music is definitely something I want to pursue. It has been such a great experience. It’s very cool to watch my friends learn with me.”
Max draws inspiration from White Stripes frontman Jack White.
“I love Jack White,” Max said. “I have read three of his biographies and his Wikipedia page like 10 times. The way he lives his life through music is amazing. Everything he does has some type of blues in it.”
When it comes to jazz guitar, Way Into Music student AJ has mastered the technique and through his involvement with Way Into Music has been able to attend several music camps.
“I was able to go to the UNT summer jazz camp and the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Camp in Kentucky,” AJ said. “I have been involved for about two years and have studied jazz guitar. Marc has taught me the foundation and basics of jazz, which helped me get into Booker T. Washington High School.”
Solomon said he hopes all his students will continue their lessons and continue to grow as musicians, students and people.
“Music gives people a sense of self,” Solomon said. “I tell my students they don’t have to be Bono. This is forever; you can always do this, always have it — it’s always there for you. For some people it’s a release, for some it’s a job. Some kids embrace music and they learn how to learn; and they realize that they can learn, they can study and they can ace that math test.”
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