Young musician forms local non-profit

By DAVID GUNTER

Feature correspondent

SANDPOINT – Philanthropy and unselfish compassion are character traits that come to many people later in life. Some, on the other hand, seem to be born with them.

Such is the case with 14-year-old Brecon Bennett. This young lady saw a need and wasted no time stepping up to be the person who took care of it when she formed her own non-profit called Musical For Life.

According to Brecon, president of the organization, the idea came to life as part epiphany and part cumulative realization.

“A little bit of both,” she said. “I was looking around and seeing people who wanted to continue lessons, but couldn’t because of financial hardship. I saw a chance to do something for the community.”

Through Musical for Life, she organized a network of students, teachers and sponsors whose combined efforts result in aspiring musicians in need acquiring instruments and instruction at no charge, while instructors are paid for their work.

“It’s a win-win for students and teachers,” said Brecon’s mother, Karen.

A violinist herself, the young woman behind this good cause comes to the party as a firm believer in the power of music. With that in mind, she plans to carry the Musical For Life message into schools, in hopes of reaching kids before the customary opportunity to participate in band or string programs at either the fifth- or sixth-grade levels.

“When you start music early, you can learn so quickly,” said Brecon.

“A lot of musical development happens well before fifth grade,” her mother added.

To this point, the non-profit has arranged for lessons through local instructors such as Leon Atkinson, Beth Weber, Fiddlin’ Red Simpson and various teachers at Bella Noté Music Studios in Sandpoint. Far from being limited to violin, guitar and the string and woodwind families, the program is intended to touch the lives of all interested students, including those who wish to pursue vocal music and all manner of musical instruments.

And because financial need doesn’t adhere to demographic constraints, Musical For Life is open to matching teachers with very young beginners.

“Even if there was a 4-year-old whose mom couldn’t afford early instruction, that would be a good target for us,” Karen Bennett said. “It doesn’t have to be cellos and violins. It could be harmonicas and recorders – anything that makes music.”

Brecon not only set her brainchild into motion, she remains the primary vetting agent for potential students.

After applying online, students’ families are contacted to ascertain what their needs are as far as instruments and playing styles, at which point Brecon contacts instructors to see if a link can be made. Teachers themselves are often the point of contact when students who would otherwise drop out of lessons for lack of money learn that Musical For Life holds out an option.

With such a quick trip from concept to execution, the non-profit resembles the story of the airplane that took off first and then was assembled while airborne.

The first wave of donations came from family members and close friends, followed by instrument donations through the Community Assistance League and, lately, a link to the Amazon Smile program that funnels a portion of the online retailer’s purchases to designated organizations.

Nonetheless, the number of interested students has generated a waiting list while Musical For Life helps out as funding allows.

“We definitely have more students than we have donations,” said Brecon. “I would prefer to have a much larger sponsorship program with many more students and a way to expand through things like outreach programs and grant writing.”

There is a striking contrast between the lamentable trend of young people falling into their smart phones and losing touch with basic social graces – eye contact and a rudimentary ability to carry on a conversation come to mind – and this non-profit founder who has a heads-up, hands-on approach to life.

Quizzed on whether she knows that she is unique among her fellow teens, Brecon chalks her philanthropy up to having been lucky enough to see the world with her family and to learn from that experience.

“I think it was mostly inspired by traveling and seeing extreme poverty,” she said. “You can’t make a difference when you’re just traveling through a country, but you can make a difference where you live. I can change where I am.”

As Musical For Life becomes better known and the waiting list grows on the demand side, Brecon and Karen both are perfecting their elevator pitch for the program as they look to attract additional sponsors.

“We love to help little kids by providing musical skills to last a lifetime,” said Karen. “And every aspect of their life is impacted – emotionally, physically and mentally. It’s a pretty easy pitch.”

A fundraiser is scheduled for Sept. 29, from 5-8 p.m., as the featured Sip n’ Shop event at Pend d’Oreille Winery, located at 301 Cedar St., in Sandpoint.

Teachers who participate in the program will provide entertainment that evening.

Support also can be provided through Amazon Smile by signing up and designating Musical For Life at smile.amazon.com

Interested music students, teachers and sponsors can find out more by visiting the Musical For Life online at musicalforlife.com or by emailing: musicalforlife@usa.com.