COLLEGIAN TIMES
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Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller at the 1985 award ceremony when both were inducted into the “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.”
CULTURED LOS ANGELES
2021 SPRING-SUMMER
MUSIC TREASURE PLAYS IT
FORWARD FOR HOMEBOYS
Come along with the Collegian Times on a nostalgic journey with half of the songwriting team of “Hound Dog” for Elvis Presley. Music heals and is used to create harmony among former gang members. BY DIANA CAMPBELL
C
lasses begin with a drum circle where everyone checks in and shares their feelings. It may include issues they are facing or hopes for the future. Music affects people in different ways. It can bring them together, create joy or bring a sense of healing. Legendary songwriter Mike Stoller found a way to use his years of music expertise for the Young Musicians Foundation (YMF). The Music Heals program is a unique, trauma-informed music immersion program for participants in Homeboy Industries. Homeboy regards itself as the largest gang rehabilitation group in the U.S. Previously incarcerated men and women receive support and assistance as they re-enter society. The Music Heals program integrates instrumental, vocal and music technology and
production. Emphasis is placed on helping participants connect with “their innate musical abilities” through hands-on experience, exploration and communal participation. It all began because of a chance meeting between the Executive Director of the YMF Foundation, Walter Zooi and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Stoller. “Mike mentioned an upcoming meeting at Homeboy Industries regarding a music program he wanted to start,” Zooi said. “I was intrigued and mentioned that YMF would be thrilled to help in any way.” Zooi says the foundation was in the finishing stages of restructuring YMF’s program model to exclusively provide access to music education “to those who would not have the opportunity otherwise.”
