Local musician offers free music lessons for at-risk youth

Local musician and STAG’s music program head, Kenneth MacLeod plays fiddle alongside participant, Elliott Forsyth at the Sandwich Teen Active Group in Windsor on Sept. 11 (Photo taken by Stacey Janzer)

By Stacey Janzer

A Windsor musician has announced he will provide free music lessons indefinitely for at-risk youth after the success of a six-week pilot program.

Kenneth MacLeod, lead vocalist of Kenneth MacLeod & the Windsor Salt Band, held an open house Sept. 11 to announce the continuation of a music-oriented program at the Sandwich Teen Action Group.

The program caters to youths ages 13-20 and offers free music classes, a drop-in space and room to practice from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. This was to be the end of the six-week program, but MacLeod has decided to keep it running.

The open house showcased the talent of one of the participants, Elliott Forsyth, 13, who is a newcomer to the teen centre. He has attended every music class available. Forsyth is interested in learning how to play music. “I’ve always wanted to play the guitar. I see other people do it, like the rich and famous too who make good music,” said Forsyth.

So far he’s been taught guitar basics but is really interested in learning to play a song he knows – “Iron Man” but said, “I’m still working on it.”

MacLeod, formerly from Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, has lived most of his life in the west side of Windsor and saw a need for a free music program in the community.

“I don’t think there was a project of this nature in this area, so I thought it would help the west side.  I thought STAG was a good place because it had a lot of good programs running already,” said MacLeod.

MacLeod said he is thankful for all of the donations they have received, but is still missing a few key pieces. “Basically we have drums, bass, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo, violin, trumpet, we have a lot of instrument. What we need is drum gear and some PA equipment, that would put us into the next stage,” said MacLeod.

According to the Arts Council Windsor & Region’s web site, MacLeod’s music program is currently funded through Neighbourhood Spaces: Windsor & Region Artist in Residence Program. It offers a four to six week residency for artists in the Windsor/Essex area.

The Artist in Residence program seeks to “increase awareness and education of socially–engaged” art practices and to expand the opportunities to interact and connect with the arts.

John Elliott, STAGs executive director said he is excited about the new program. “It’s a pilot project and I’m being introduced to the arts,” said Elliott.

Elliot said he is hopeful for what the program could do for the young people,

“It’s introducing the kids to the arts. There are probably some of them who would be interested and some of them have joined in already,” said Elliott.

Both the Sandwich Teen Action Group and MacLeod’s music program are seeking volunteers.

Learn more about the Neighbourhood Spaces program or donate to the program visit http://acwr.net/ns/. More information about the Sandwich Teen Action Group or if you are interested in volunteering you can go to http://thestag.ca.