The Modern Music Academy will showcase some of its finest talent Friday at Downtown Brewing Co. at its first “Big Benevolent Bash.”
Both a benefit concert for “Guitars Not Guns,” a national organization providing guitars and lessons for at-risk youth, as well as a final performance for the students in the Professional Music Certificate program, the concert will showcase some of San Luis Obispo’s up-and-coming rock stars.
Tucked away in an alley off Pacific Street, the 6-year-old academy is a music school that specializes in guitar training, production, songwriting and performance skills. It was co-founded by couple Jessie and Darren Clarke; the two wanted to take a practical approach to musicianship. Jessie Clarke said they wanted to emphasize putting artists in groups to give them a true “band” experience.
“It doesn’t come alive until you make music with other people, so that’s our sort of angle and our philosophy. That’s what we specialize in — the group approach and performance skills,” Clarke said
The academy offers an array of guitar-heavy programs, from weekly lessons for all ages to more career-focused courses. The “Big Benevolent Bash” will essentially be the graduation show for the 11 students in the 30-week Professional Music Certificate program — the academy’s most demanding course. The performance, in fact, is a part of their grade.
“We are actually going to be grading them and it counts for 25 percent of their final grade for their certificate. So it’s a big deal for them,” Clarke said.
Clarke said this performance will emphasize their goal of grouping the musicians in bands rather than playing solo.
“The cool thing about it is that on some songs a student is the front man or the front gal, and they’re showcasing their music,” Clarke said. “And if they’re not doing that, then they’re backing up the other people and acting as session players. So it’s really cool — they’ll be revolving around the stage.”
The students in the program have been working endless hours, trying to prepare everything from demos, to press kits, to performance improvements. Cuesta student Jasmin Poncelet said she wasn’t prepared for the degree of seriousness.
“We were totally here to jam out, and then all of a sudden it became this like big serious important thing that you must be perfect. But it’s great though. No one’s ever whipped me into shape like that. I would have never ever been where I am right now if it wasn’t for them,” Poncelet said.
Some students involved feel that the academy is a more practical educational alternative to a college degree in regards to the music industry. San Luis Obispo High School graduate Erik Swanson said he is pursuing his passion rather than sitting behind a desk.
“I’m going to keep all my education just around music, because you know they say, ‘If you love your job, then you never have to work a day in your life.’ And I really believe in that, so that’s what I’m going for,” Swanson said.
Poncelet and Swanson will perform a few covers and original pieces together. Both were surprised at their newly-acquired knowledge.
“I’m also playing bass in a couple songs — which I never do. But the Academy teaches you how to become a session player — how to compliment other instruments. We all learned how to compliment other’s styles how to make each other sound good as well as ourselves,” Poncelet said.
Opening for the show will be the academy’s music program for the younger rock crowd — Rock Band Academy. Clarke said that she’s excited for the audience to witness the amount of talent from the 12 to 15-year-old aspiring musicians.
“I think they’re going to be surprised by the talent in the Rock Band Academy,” Clarke said. “I always love to see kids get on stage and go, ‘Oh my gosh, they’re born to be up there.’ And some people really have that. And we have some of those people in our program.”
All of the proceeds are benefiting “Guitars Not Guns.” Clarke said, after some discussion, he and the students decided it was the most appropriate choice.
“We wanted it to be meaningful and not just go into some big fund that you don’t have much of a relationship with. So I think that’s why we chose Guitars Not Guns — one, we already have a prior relationship with them, two, it’s local, and three, it’s music-related,” Clarke said. “You’re helping people have access to music which is such an amazing gift.”
To make it happen, Clarke got in contact with Deputy Dale Anderson, a local school resource officer and president of the San Luis Obispo chapter. Anderson, who started the local chapter in 2006, said it’s a rewarding feeling to build self-esteem through music.
“It’s a great tool to instill the self-esteem and confidence in a kid. They learn discipline and self-empowerment. It’s neat to see them build that confidence,” Anderson said.
Students are also excited to be playing for a cause. Swanson said he is grateful to be sharing his passion with kids who might not have an outlet.
“I really believe in giving youth music. Listening to music, playing music, it adds something to you. It’s not a tangible thing. I’m so excited to be doing this charity because we’re taking at-risk teens, and we’re giving them music. Even they might be in a bad place, at least they’re going to have music, and that might keep their head above water,” Swanson said.
Tickets are available at Boo Boo Records, ticketweb.com and at the door. Admission is $5 and all ages are welcome.