Kwasi ’26 is bringing the joy of music to youth in the Juárez and El Paso area by offering free, personalized lessons through Project VIDA and a local church, building community and confidence through creative expression and shared performances.
This summer, I dedicated myself to providing free music lessons to elementary and middle school students in the Juárez and El Paso area through a group called Project VIDA and an affiliated church. Across the three locations, I built strong connections with the students and fellow volunteers—some of whom even joined in during the lessons—creating a symphony of fun and discovery through music.
One thing I noticed across the different Project VIDA locations was the range in students’ musical exposure. While some quickly grasped concepts like half notes, quarter notes, and eighth notes, others found it easier to learn by counting beats out loud: “1, 2, 3, 4.” These differences inspired me to tailor my teaching to each student’s needs, creating a more personalized approach that I hoped would keep them engaged and excited about learning music.
At the church, I also contribute by playing with the band during services. Afterward, I spend about 30–45 minutes with the kids, playing familiar songs like This Little Light of Mine and Amazing Grace, often singing alongside the choir director. The turnout has been impressive, with lots of eager young musicians ready to learn. The church’s variety of instruments has helped keep things exciting—we switch from piano to viola, guitar, drums, and more. One of the kids’ favorite games is guessing “how many years I’ve been playing” each instrument!
I’m especially excited for next week: my friend from Project VIDA, Alexandra, who leads visual art activities with the students, has invited me to kick off an event with a musical performance. I’ve prepared a few solo pieces, along with some group songs that I hope to perform with the kids. I’m looking forward to the rest of the summer, continuing to bring new experiences and the joy of music to the youth in Mexico.
