Music at Foran mainly consists of the band, orchestra, and choir, though a student at Foran seeks a bigger pursuit in his own band. Junior Connor Rizzo recently traveled to California for the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) convention. Where he, along with other members of the Teach Kids Music All-Stars Band performed in front of a large crowd of attendees, including some notable faces in the music industry.
Through his non-profit organization “Teach Kids Music,” (TKM), John McCarthy created a band of eight young rockstars. McCarthy’s non-profit aims to help underprivileged children follow their passion for music by providing them with lessons, equipment, opportunities to play with other musicians, and a positive environment.
The core values of the organization are to supply children with the resources they need to live out their musical pursuits. The website details the initiative TKM takes to grant instruments to young musicians.
“We provide instruments to local community centers and clubs for children who may not have the resources to access instruments. Having the opportunity to play instruments and see which inspires them most is the start of a lifelong musical journey,” explains https://teachkidsmusic.org/.
TKM has had an impact on its young band members as well, guitarist Jake Zabawar shares his appreciation for the organization and the impression it’s made on his musical career.
“It really gave me courage and confidence and has helped me believe in myself. It is also really making me work hard, and…is helping me open up more opportunities,” Zabawar reveals.
Bassist Leanne Parks has also gained, “I have been a part of rockhouse for almost four years now and they are like my second family…[it] has also really opened my mind up to the possibilities in the music world,” Parks expresses.
Parks highlights one particular aspect of their performance at the show: not only was there a large audience, but many of those in the crowd were musicians themselves.
“It was exciting, but also really nerve-wracking performing in front of all those people who knew the bass lines I was playing and the techniques I was using,” Parks states.
Rizzo recalls that he was “floored” when presented with the opportunity to perform across the country.
“The extent of my band performances up to that point were open mics at local restaurants and small radio performances on 99.1 PLR for their Toys for Tots Christmas drive. I never thought that I could get that far, so I was shocked and thrilled,” Rizzo remarks.
Lead singer of the band, Persephone Delaney, recalls what the opportunity to play at NAMM meant to her.
“My dad is in the music industry, so I’ve grown up knowing how important the NAMM show is to the international music industry. I never thought I’d get a chance to perform there,” she explains.
Delaney remembers her excitement at the large crowd and her overall enjoyment of their performance.
“It’s definitely worth it to miss school when life hands you an adventure,” she states.
