Alliance Helps Kids Learn Musical Skills

Charles Messick has wanted to be a professional singer since third grade.

"I want to go to New York and sing on Broadway," he said. "It's going to take some time for that to happen."

Messick, an 18-year-old junior at Durham School of the Arts, moved a small step closer to that dream in January when he got the opportunity to take private voice lessons thanks to the Music Teachers' Alliance for Youth.

The MTAY was founded by Alexis Cole, a Chapel Hill musician and teacher as well as Messick's tutor, to offer free music lessons to underprivileged youth.

Cole founded the program in September while working for the Volunteer Center of Greater Durham. A survey of needs showed that music teachers were in demand. "I said, 'I know a lot of musicians," she said. "'I bet a lot of them would be interested in helping.'"

Although the organization's official nonprofit status is pending, Cole and five others are already teaching nine voice, piano and drum students. Students, who must qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches to participate, are selected by their school music teachers.

"Their school music teachers see that they have a real interest in music, and they tend to know if they're from less-privileged families," Cole said. "We call the families to see if they're interested and if they qualify."

Messick's family readily accepted the opportunity for private instruction.

"(My parents) said, 'Every chance you get, you better take it,'" he said. Messick is involved in his school chorus and musical productions but has never had private lessons until now. "I think (my singing) has improved a lot," he said.

Students who want to play instruments face the added need for musical equipment that can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Local musician Scott Emmerman volunteered to help MTAY expand its offerings in this area.

Emmerman, vice president of sales and marketing at E-MU/ENSONIC, a California-based manufacturer of audio products, hopes to use his industry connections to get free instruments.

Emmerman said instrument acquisition has been moving slowly, but he remains enthusiastic about the program. "Instruments are not freely available," he said. "If (soliciting manufacturers) doesn't work we'll go to local music stores and ask if they'll be willing to contribute."

Emmerman got involved after hearing a local public radio feature about the organization. "Today, music is all around, on TV, on the radio, and the program can show (students) how they can be a part of it, even in a small way," he said.

Cole said the response from local schools has been lower than she expected, but "as long as I'm in the area, I'd like to keep doing this."

"Hopefully, it'll go on indefinitely."

Messick said based on his experience, he thinks other students could gain a great deal from the program.

"I think it's giving people a chance to make them realize what they have."

Those interested in MTAY can reach Alexis Cole at 928-0924.