At Risk Youth & Music

Mobile Drum Lessons.Com is launching a new recreational music making research program designed to help at-risk adolescents in San Diego to improve quality of life through group-based creative musical expression. The program utilizes personal drum and percussion lessons and will begin in January 2010.

"Creative musical expression has great potential for reducing the impact of stress and enabling children to move beyond their perceived obstacles," commented  Ron Haslam, CEO of Mobile Drum Lessons.com. "I am pleased to announce this new program with an emphasis on at-risk youth in San Diego."  

"Recreational Music Making is characterized by enjoyable, accessible and fulfilling drum-based activities that unite people of all ages regardless of their challenges, backgrounds, ethnicity or prior experience," states Haslam, acknowledged "Mobile Drum Professor" and founder of the at-risk youth drum program.  "The program in San Diego has great potential to enable at-risk youth to improve quality of life.  I am pleased to offer creative drum lessons that can help children discover better ways to cope with their challenges."  

Each program session includes a multi-faceted array of lessons that foster a sense of self esteem and confidence. Without the need for prior musical experience, children are invited to interact in a non-pressured multi-step protocol.   Based in part upon the idea that music builds confidence as well as exercise, this new program includes key strategies for breaking down barriers and promoting meaningful communication among adolescents. 

"We set forth to specifically design a program that focuses on personal strengths by progressively encouraging and conditioning a sense of acceptance and camaraderie. Our goal is to catalyze meaningful discussions, heightened awareness and positive transformation through creative musical expression," noted Haslam.

Haslam says the program will give children a chance to enjoy and learn from the music making experience.   "These kids are going to have the opportunity to participate in a music program that we highly encourage. 

We are pleased to be part of a study that has great potential to offer valuable outcome data that can be shared across San Diego and beyond."

Haslam notes that drum lessons have changed the lives of many disadvantaged children.  "It creates a safe, non-threatening space, allowing youngsters to express their feelings without the fear of being judged.   Through many years working with San Diego's troubled youth, I personally believe that music has benefits that go far beyond verbal expression in allowing individuals to tap into their own ability for self-healing."