New music program offers guitar lessons at NEDSRA
Fifteen year-old George Pappas just started guitar lessons at Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association this fall.
He can now play five chords, knows how to use a pick, and can play "Amazing Grace," which he recently performed during his music recital at NEDSRA in Addison.
The new music program added to NEDSRA this fall offers 30-minute private music lessons for guitar and piano. Four participants with disabilities signed up to learn guitar along with Pappas.
"This is my first year taking lessons and I like the folk guitar. I like the applause of my family when I play," Pappas said.
Pappas and the others were directed at the recital by Lisa Ashley, who is the new music therapist and instructor for NEDSRA this year.
"I think music stimulates every part of a child and enriches their lives in ways they do not imagine. The most exhilarating thing to watch as a teacher is to see the surprise of a parent when they recognize the piece the child is playing," Ashley said.
Ashley developed an affinity toward working with special-needs children as a teacher's aide in the Carol Stream school district.
"I fell in love with those kids and would often sing songs with them. When I played guitar for them, it had a great calming and happiness effect," Ashley said.
Ashley has a music degree from DePaul University where she studied the French horn on a scholarship provided by the rock band Chicago. She taught herself to play all the brass instruments and has played in chamber orchestras, the Chicago Civic Orchestra, and in her church band at Crossroads Community Church in Carol Stream.
The 51-year-old Ashley said she taught herself guitar later in life because "a guitar is a more practical choice than French horn when playing at a coffee house."
Her first teaching job was at Perry's Music Store in Villa Park where she refers her students for musical instruments and materials. From her teaching experiences she has developed her own system of music lessons for children with disabilities.
"My favorite thing about teaching at NEDSRA is seeing how hard the parents and aides work with the kids to make sure they practice and prepare for the lessons," Ashley said.
Thirteen year-old Sergio Robles from Addison is another NEDSRA guitar student. At the recital, Robles played "The Star-Spangled Banner."
"It is my favorite song because it is our national anthem," Robles said.
He also added a compliment to his teacher. "I'd like to thank Lisa for teaching me guitar. She is an easy person and a good teacher."
Ashley's main source of income is teaching music either in her home studio or at various middle and high schools in the area. She teaches all ages and all abilities, and also directs a choir made up of adults with disabilities. The choir will perform at Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin during their Cultural Arts Night early next year.