Life By Music is a reminder to never give up on your dreams. As touring musicians with their rock band OTHERWISE, brothers Adrian and Ryan Patrick witnessed firsthand the power of music to bring people together across backgrounds, ages, and life circumstances. Ryan transformed his band’s uplifting motto, “Life By Music,” into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This motto, that the band used to persevere in the music industry, became the foundation of an organization dedicated to spreading the joy and benefits of music to a broader community.
In 2016, a small group of 12 kids from a local Boys and Girls Club were invited to a backstage experience for OTHERWISE where they learned basic guitar chords, created art, and shared a meal. For many of those students, it was their first meaningful interaction with music. That single moment laid the foundation for Life By Music, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to removing barriers to music education and building community through creativity.
Ten years later, that same belief still guides every program, partnership, and outreach effort.
Growing from One Moment to a Movement
What began as a single outreach event has grown into a decade of sustained impact. From 2016 through today, Life By Music has steadily expanded its reach, programming, and community partnerships.
Instrument Donations That Open Doors
Access starts with having an instrument in hand. Over the past ten years, Life By Music has donated more than 750 instruments to schools and community organizations. To date, more than 400 guitars, 30 keyboards, and 100 other instruments have been donated to schools and youth programs across Nevada, California, Colorado, and New York. These essential instruments were delivered directly to students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to participate in music education.
From the organization’s first recorded donation in 2016 to consistent annual distributions across multiple states, instrument giving has remained a core pillar of the mission. Each instrument represents a student empowered to learn, create, and express themselves.
Education Programs That Meet People Where They Are
As Life By Music grew, so did its programming. The organization developed structured, age appropriate programs designed to support participants at every stage of life.
Guitar Magic and Ukulele Magic
Designed for younger students, these introductory programs emphasize creativity, confidence, and hands-on learning. Over the past decade, Life By Music has delivered more than 90 Guitar Magic and Ukulele Magic sessions, introducing hundreds of children to the fundamentals of music in a fun and welcoming environment.
Rockin’ Guitar
Created for teens, Rockin’ Guitar focuses on skill building, discipline, collaboration, and self expression. Since its launch, 15 Rockin’ Guitar programs have been completed, helping students grow musically while developing confidence and leadership skills that extend beyond the classroom.
Summer Camps and Special Programs
Through 4 summer camps and additional special programs, Life By Music has provided immersive music experiences that allow students to deepen their skills, build friendships, and explore creativity in a supportive setting.
Shoulder to Shoulder for Veterans
Music is not only for learning. It is also a powerful tool for healing. Since its inception, 5 Shoulder to Shoulder programs have served veterans by creating a safe, collaborative space to reconnect with creativity, community, and self expression through music.
Investing in the Future Through Scholarships
Beyond instruments and instruction, Life By Music has made direct financial investments in education. Over the past ten years, the organization has awarded more than $15,000 in scholarships to students and music programs. These funds help remove financial barriers and ensure that talented individuals can continue their musical education and growth.
Community Recognition and Impact
Life By Music’s work has drawn attention from a wide range of reputable news outlets and local media, documenting the organization’s growing impact through music education, outreach, and community connection. Coverage from FOX5 Las Vegas showcased how Life By Music’s Shoulder to Shoulder program uses the power of music to help military veterans learn guitar and build supportive bonds through shared creative experiences. Local reporting by KTNV’s highlighted the nonprofit’s fundraising efforts to support school music programs, including instrument donations and classes for both youth and veterans. Additionally, broader coverage in The Business Times recognized Life By Music’s contributions of cash and instruments to benefit music students beyond Nevada, underlining the organization’s commitment to expanding music education opportunities.
Teachers consistently report increased student engagement.
“The students related with the Guitar Magic character traits really well and enjoyed learning about guitar. Many of them want to learn more about guitar. The outreach gave the students motivation to learn more, get creative with the characters talked about, and use teamwork by coming up with ideas together and clapping together as a class.“
-Jenna Kohut (Woolley, Gwendolyn ES)
“The impact Life By Music is making on music education is astounding. The organization makes a tangible difference by enriching the lives of our students, equipping them with instruments to become better musicians and understand the importance of giving back and building community.
-Lucas M. Finney, D.Mus. (Las Vegas Academy of the Arts)
“Life by Music has been helping the Clark County School District guitar programs for years by providing guitars to students. Their gracious donation will help keep guitars and music in student’s lives. I awarded a guitar from the donation of Life By Music and Free Guitar For Kids to one of my deserving students who had financial troubles. She would play that guitar during performances at the school and the Smith’s Center. That student has since graduated high school and now attends the College of Southern Nevada as a guitar major.”
– Mr. Syrovy (Legacy High School Guitar Director)
Veterans describe programs that provide calm, connection, and creative release.
“This class has allowed me to pick up my guitar again and blow the cobwebs off. It’s given me a reason to load up my guitar and head toward a destination I finally feel ready to perform at. So much happiness comes from being part of this class.“
-Bobby Gipson – US Army Vietnam War Veteran
“I would say this about joining Shoulder to Shoulder to any vet or person that asked. To a fellow vet I would simply say, it’s worth it and you can learn guitar or help others if you already know how to play. I would like to let them know how nice it has been for me to be introduced to other vets in the area and how good it feels to be a part of the group. To others I would say that of all the ways to help and support vets this organization is one of the best because it’s a place where we can openly and freely express ourselves and a place to find new friends or connections.”
– Chris Allan – US Air Force
The impact reaches far beyond the music itself.
Looking Ahead to the Next Ten Years
As Life By Music reflects on its first decade, it also looks forward. The next chapter includes expanding access to music education, strengthening veteran programming, deepening community partnerships, and building sustainable systems that allow the organization to reach even more lives.
The mission remains unchanged. Music should be accessible, inclusive, and transformative; for everyone.
Thank You for Ten Years of Music and Giving Back
To every student who picked up an instrument for the first time, every veteran who found comfort in a shared song, every educator, volunteer, donor, and supporter who made this work possible, thank you.
Life By Music exists because of a community that believes in the power of creativity and connection.
Here’s to ten years of giving back and to many more years of music changing lives.