Dallas Cultural Progress Grant Funds Free Guitar Instruction for Young Students

Guitar instructor receives Cultural Projects Program-Special Support Grant from the City of Dallas’ Office of Cultural Affairs, will offer free guitar lessons for Dallas students in spring 2018.  Learn more about Dallas’ programs and grants here: http://dallasculture.org/cultral-programs

Jess Garland is a Dallas based recording and performing artist, who has been teaching guitar since 2005.  Jess is currently a guitar instructor at La Rondalla, a non-profit organization in Oak Cliff.  She also teaches guitar at Bishop Arts Theatre, Arts Mission Oak Cliff and in her own studio, Guitar Lessons by Jess.  Guitar Lessons by Jess is a program that has provided 56 hours of free music education on the weekend during June and July of 2017 to children 7-18 years of age in South Dallas and its surrounding communities.  She was able to sign up 25 students to the summer workshops.  Jess was able to successfully complete these workshops with the help of partnering with the City of Dallas’ Office of Cultural Affairs as a recipient of the 2016-2017 Special Projects Grant and raising funds.  In her short time of being able to provide guitar lessons for free, she was able to bring music education to students who did not have access in their neighborhood and was able to create diversity.  Jess’ goal is to continue this program throughout the year in 2018.  As a recipient of the 2017-2018 Special Projects Grant, she will provide funding for beginner and intermediate guitar workshops for students every weekend starting in February and ending in April.  Students need not have a guitar to participate in the program and all lessons/workshops offered under the grant will require no monetary contribution from participating families.  The guitar workshops will be offered two hours each day on Saturday and Sunday from 2PM-4PM.  These workshops are ideal for students interested in playing guitar with minimal to no experience.  All participating students will be taught to read music, an ability that can be evolved to allow them to learn any instrument in the future.

Enrollment in the program will provide students access to music lessons, community performances, art exhibitions, and cultural awareness via exposure to artistic diversity at Arts Mission Oak Cliff.  Arts Mission Oak Cliff is a space that is dedicated to helping local artists strive and also provide education on all levels.  Arts Mission Oak Cliff provides open co-working and specialized spaces, such as a recording studio, mini-maker space, yoga studio, library, and theater. (www.artsmissionoc.com)

Space in the programs is limited. Students will be accepted based on need (lack of music education in current school or community) and on a first come, first serve basis.  Jess is currently accepting applications as there are still openings for the weekend classes.  Lessons begin February 3, 2018.  To apply, contact Jess Garland directly, guitarlessonsbyjess@gmail.com.  To donate, visit gofundme.com/GuitarLessonsbyJess For more information about Jess, visit www.jessstrings.com