Music Teacher in Boston Offers Life Lessons to Young

03 November 2010

Younger members of Studio Heat performing at the release party for the Music Clubhouse's second CD, "Because of You"

This is the VOA Special English Education Report.

Twenty-five-year-old Rick Aggeler says he discovered early in life that music is magic.

RICK AGGELER: "Music made me feel like anything was possible."

At the age of seven, a medical condition required him to have a brain operation. It also prevented him from playing sports. So his mother suggested that he learn to play drums instead.

RICK AGGELER: "I started playing drums with Ronit Glick. She was my elementary teacher. I remember just the joy it brought to me. It was my favorite thing. Sixth grade was a new school to me and I had a hard time kind of getting along with all the kids. And Ms. Glick just took me in and I had so much fun at the program. It just felt great all the time."

Rick Aggeler graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, in two thousand seven. While there, he volunteered as a music teacher at a youth center in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston.

He helped create a small music club within the center. The Music Clubhouse at the Blue Hill Boys and Girls Club quickly grew.

Young people come to the Music Clubhouse after school and during summer break. The club provides a safe environment to learn to play instruments and to perform together in bands. The club even has its own recording studio.