Access and Opportunity for Two Brothers
Brothers Zach and Ivan have always had incredible musical potential. But what they didn’t have was access and opportunity.
There were many life circumstances that made opportunities difficult. English is their second language. Their mom works long hours, yet still struggles to make ends meet. And they have an older sister with special needs who requires extra care. Extracurricular activities seemed simply inaccessible to them— until they discovered the Music Clubhouse through the Boys & Girls Club’s Licensed After School Program.
There, Zach and Ivan found a deep love of music and have become dedicated and talented instrumentalists. The older brother, Zach, picked up the guitar and quickly became a top participant at the club. The younger brother, Ivan, is a multi-talented musician who has become proficient in every other instrument within a year. When they come to the club, every minute is spent in the studio practicing.
“Getting involved with the Music Clubhouse has been a true game changer for these two,” says their Music Director. “The economic circumstances at home make opportunity hard to come by at times, but these brothers have benefited more from this program in a year than most youth do in three, and that goes beyond just music. The clubhouse staff are greeted every time they come in by a giant smile, infectious enthusiasm, and a love of music that reminds us of why we’re in this line of work.”
A highlight of Zach and Ivan’s musical accomplishments was when they were featured performers at a recent community-wide event. This was the first performance that their mom was able to attend, and she was able to see their happiness shine through and their self-confidence soar.