Inside the Spring 2025 Guitar & Ukulele Magic Program
Every season, Guitar & Ukulele Magic brings music, character building, and creativity to classrooms full of curious young minds. This spring, Life by Music’s flagship program reached more students than ever before and created powerful first-time musical experiences for hundreds of kids ages 5–9.
We sat down with our CEO Ryan Patrick to reflect on this season’s impact, growth, and what keeps the magic alive.
Q: What were your personal highlights from this round of Guitar & Ukulele Magic workshops?
A: The most exciting part was reaching so many kids this year. It was also really rewarding to work with young, talented teaching artists like Alezei and Joel. They brought such great energy to the outreach. It was a proud moment to watch the program in action without needing to do everything myself—it really showed how much we’ve grown.
Q: How did this spring’s outreach compare to previous semesters?
A: The number of children we served this semester was much greater than any previous round. It really raised the bar for what we thought was possible.
Q: Were there any new schools, or standout schools, students, or moments that made a lasting impression?
A: I always like to ask the kids who pick up the guitar, ukulele, or drums really quickly if they’ve ever played before. I’m often surprised when they say this is their first time. Those moments really stick with me. Knowing we’re the first people to introduce them to music, and seeing how naturally it comes to them.
Q: How did the students respond to the content in the Guitar & Ukulele Magic booklets and the animal-themed chord traits?
A: We’re so thankful that the kids connect with the Guitar & Ukulele Magic characters. They love answering the questions we ask about each character’s virtue. It gets them thinking about what they care about, what they love, and what they believe is possible. It really opens up thoughtful conversations.
Q: What kind of feedback did you receive from teachers and school staff this round?
A: Teachers love the program. It’s a fun, engaging hour that gives them a break from the usual curriculum and gets kids genuinely excited. Many have said how much the students look forward to it.
Q: Were there any unexpected challenges this outreach season, and how did the team adapt?
A: Thankfully, everything went smoothly this season. If anything, the biggest challenge is that we need more Life by Music teaching artists to meet the demand since so many classrooms want us to come in.
Q: Did anything change in the curriculum or presentation format this time around?
A: We were able to really dial in on the questions the kids enjoy most, and the kinds of silly moments that make the experience even more fun and engaging. It helped make the sessions more playful and intriguing for them.
Q: How can people get involved or support future outreach efforts?
A: If you’re interested in volunteering or working with Life by Music, we’d love to hear from you.
Email us at connect@lifebymusic.org to learn more about how to get involved.
Want to help us bring the magic of music to more kids? Whether you’re a musician, educator, parent, or supporter, your energy and enthusiasm can make a lasting difference.