American Idol Star Justin Guarini Brings Music to the Classroom

Justin Guarini Brings Music to the Classroom

Featured on AmericanIdol.com http://www.americanidol.com/news/view/pid/2858/

March 26, 2010, Los Angeles, CA: This wasn’t a typical Friday at Education Through Music-LA Partner School - St. Sebastian - situated near the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles. K-8^th graders were treated to a rare celebrity visit by American Idol Season One Runner-Up Justin Guarini.  At a time when music is disappearing from in Los Angeles and across the nation, Guarini’s visit to his littlest fans is his way to support music education during Music in Our Schools Month (The National Association of Music Education).

With a coolly tailored lavendar shirt, white navy-striped Adidas sneakers, and slim-fitting jeans, Guarini shared all about his experience growing up, learning music, and a favorite topic – what it was like to be on American Idol. While Guarini said he was nervous having to perform in front of the judges, he said “he’s completely at home on the stage…it’s familiar to him.”  One child asked, “Is Simon as mean in real life as he is on TV?” Guarini recalled an incident when Cowell moved faster than lightning to save a cockroach backstage, showing a side of Cowell that people don’t always see on Idol. The atmosphere was electric – Guarini sang his own song Missing You, and a Hank Williams, Sr. classic, I’m so Lonesome I Could Cry, which included an indelible improvisational whistling section.

When asked what inspires him to make music, Guarini answered – “Life. What happens every day can be an inspiration for my music, what I experience, what I feel in my heart.” He encouraged the students to continue to practice and work hard at their musical studies, because “in the end it pays off…and you get to have fun.”

“This visit is a continuation of my initiative to help save music in schools,” Guarini stated. As schools - across the nation as well as locally in Los Angeles – face further detrimental cuts to vital music and arts programs, Education Through Music-Los Angeles (ETM-LA) is putting music back in the classroom for every child in the school.  ETM-LA Executive Director, Victoria Lanier says, “Justin’s visit helps highlight the dire need for local and national support to continue music education. We are so fortunate to have an artist like Justin who is vocal about keeping music in our schools.  All children deserve a well-rounded education – one that includes music.”  St. Sebastian School was ETM-LA’s first partner school.  Four years later, the school is thriving, with school-wide music program in which every child learns music and an instrument.

Guarini was ecstatic for the opportunity to share his experience. “Music and music education has allowed me to fulfill my life’s dream.” Principal Ed Hermeno shared, “Our school community is very excited about the visit. Every opportunity like this is another opportunity to plant seeds for our students, of what their own future might hold.” Guarini underscored the importance of having a dream and working hard at it. For Guarini, working hard has paid off as he is able to live his dream, have fun, and inspire our youth to do the same.

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