Striking a Chord

Musicians Empowering Children

Words Deven Wilson |  Photos from Music Helps

Music Helps is an outreach program that comes together to help children from tough backgrounds break out of their shells and into a jam session. 

I was just completely blown away by the impact that they were having on the lives of these children.” – Andrea Magee

After touring with Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys and working as a high school teacher in London, Music Helps founder Andrea Magee connected with her community in East Austin by volunteering with Helping Hand Home. “I was just completely blown away by the impact they were having on the lives of these traumatized children,” she recalls. After realizing they had no music facility, Andrea exclaims that it was like a light switch went off, and suddenly, “I know why I’m here!” That was the spark that ignited the concept for Music Helps programs.

Growing from Andrea recruiting her talented musician friends to perform concerts for the kids to participants being eager to perform along with her crew, the program now offers workshops teaching kids music. 

Music Helps, founded as a nonprofit by Andrea, was inspired by her friend Christine Alberts’ Swan Song, a foundation that fulfills last wishes of  individuals nearing death. Employing the artists teaching in the workshops, they started offering monthly classes and quickly evolved into weekly classes as their impact proved instrumental in the kids’ healing process. 

During one workshop, a young boy came in who was very adamant about not participating. Andrea recounts saying, “‘I’m gonna write a song for you.’ And he was like, ‘No, you’re not.’” After asking him when he was born, she sang an impromptu ditty with lyrics based on his birthday. The boy points under the table to his tapping foot and asks why it is doing that to the beat. Andrea proudly explains, “We were able to use the healing power of music in that moment to melt down his wall.”

Music Helps continues to have breakthroughs like this, which lead to the children walking away from their lessons with calmed nervous systems, fewer outbursts, and a growth in their willingness to learn. “Music can genuinely heal people,” Andrea assures. “We can use it for ourselves as a self-soothing tool or for our children… I believe music helps.” 

Contact:
musichelpsatx.org
info@musichelpsatx.org
@musichelps_atx