We Are Venice Magazine: 4th Edition by BGCV BGCV Magazine

oys & Girls Clubs of Venice (BGCV) has a newly revamped music center on the first floor of the Club. BGCV’s music pro- gram provides members with a full schedule of music instruc- tion and workshops. Shane Basye, the Music and Performing Arts Coordinator, states it best, “The main goal and objective of the Club is to provide kids and teens with tools B and resources for a great future. Music ties into that a lot. The goal is to provide music for all ages, all back- grounds and all genders of kids. We want everyone to be a part of it.” BGCV’s music program currently offers piano, violin, ukulele, guitar, drums and percussion, music produc- tion, song writing and vocals. As a re- ward, the Club hosts a talent show every quarter which gives music stu- dents the opportunity to showcase their new skills. A teen “open mic” is also hosted every month allowing high school students to gather, network and share their talents through music, po- 36 etry, dance and comedy. Music education is at an all-time low, funding for music in schools for elemen- tary and middle school has been cut dramatically. Many kids growing up in some parts of L.A. do not have music programming avail- able to them on a day to day basis. The Club is filling the gap by serving a di- verse community within Los Angeles. It is keeping young people’s passion for music alive by providing great instructors, unique instruments, fun classes and a creative space to learn in. Members are provided with the tools needed to advance in the world of music and performing arts. It gives them the opportu- nity to be self-sustained musi- cians and even studio engineers. Shane would like them to leave the Club con- fident enough to make their own music, possibly someday join a band or become an en- gineer and find success. Every year the BGCV music program releases a compilation CD titled, “We Are Venice!” highlighting some of the Club’s talented members. “We Are Venice!” is recorded in the Club’s record- ing studio with assistance from the music production students. Shane had the privilege of meeting Ohana Ukulele at Nam Con- vention in Anaheim. He learned that Ohana is incredibly passionate about non-profit education in music, and a strong partnership was formed. The Ohana staff were even generous enough to donate ukuleles to the music program for the kids to use. Many kids are participating in the ukulele lessons and are really enjoying it. Recently, Ohana filmed a video of the Club members playing their ukule- les to promote the program. There are incredibly exciting things to come thanks to Ohana Ukulele! We Are Venice

We Are Venice Magazine: 4th Edition by BGCV BGCV Magazine | Page 38