KEY CHANGE

James Geisler finds his rhythm mentoring teens at Duluth’s Music Resource Center

BY TONY BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID BALLARD PHOTOGRAPHY

In an era where kids are given fewer opportunities to be creative in the school environment because of budget cuts in the arts, Duluth's Music Resource Center has established itself as a meaningful, useful way to help spur the imaginations of young people. Since 2011, the MRC has operated in the welcoming environs of Sacred Heart Music Center, offering students from all manner of backgrounds in grades 6-12 a place where they can learn how to be better musicians, no matter their specific areas of interest. Folk, rock, rap — nothing is left on the doorstep.

The MRC recently announced a new program manager in James Geisler, a musician and UMD graduate who spent some time in the program as a volunteer while attending college. For him, it has been an interesting development to go from donating his time to managing the program, but it's an evolution that happened naturally.

“I was a music instructor. I'm a hip-hop artist, so I helped a lot of students with that,” Geisler said. “Otherwise, I helped with the website, some social-media postings, and I helped host some open-mics. It was a pretty well-rounded internship-slashvolunteer position, for sure.”

Geisler said his new position is “a really good fit” for him, given his past work with the MRC. “It helped me learn how to work with the kids effectively — developing relationships, figuring out what works and doesn't work.” He added that he hit the ground running, too, and that he's had ideas on where to take things that have been brewing for a while, now. “Seeing how everything was running, it gave me some ideas on how to expand off of certain things that were already in place,” he said.

The free, after-school program offers “music coaching and guidance,” Geisler explained. “It's a safe, collaborative space for local artists to work with mentors. We offer recording equipment and instruments to play. We have performing opportunities. Kids meet other kids that maybe they wouldn't meet, if it wasn't for our program. It brings people from throughout the community together, old and young. We're helping build the next generation of artists.”

Mark Poirier is the executive director of the Armory Arts and Music Center, the parent program of the MRC. He has nothing but praise for Geisler. “James has been with our program for a number of years,” he said. “He was such a great volunteer. Very dependable, and the students just loved him. It's inspiring to see him grow as an artist and a leader.”

Emanuel Eisele is 17 years old. He first heard about the MRC through a teacher, and he's been involved for about four years, mostly doing recording projects. He said Geisler's a great person for his job.

“I've always liked James and his approach to not only how he makes music, but how he helps and teaches others about it,” Eisele said. “He's chill, above all else. Very laid-back, but isn't afraid to lay down the law.”

“He's more of an electronic musician, preferring synths and such,” Eislele said. “He doesn't necessarily have the entire circle of fifths memorized, but that's not really what's important. What's important is that he knows the insides and outsides of producing and what actually goes into making music professionally. He brings experience and a good attitude to the table.”

“To be able to go somewhere and use award-winning software and excellent equipment for free is such a blessing, and the nice, kind, experienced staff make it even better,” Eisele said. “It's allowed me to put my thoughts and feelings into a physical thing people can view and enjoy. I think a lot of kids my age tend to have feelings and thoughts they can't express in an understandable way, but this place opens up a whole new world for them. Freddie Mercury had to pick up and start learning a guitar at some point, and Paul McCartney had to practice on the piano for a while. I feel like this place is a starting point for a lot of young people. Who knows — maybe the next Beatles will start here.”

Sophia Beaver, 16, said she has been a part of the MRC since she was 13. “At MRC, I mostly practice my guitar and my singing, and I also perform at the open mics every now and then,” she said.

Beaver said that Geisler is “a very friendly and helpful person. He has helped me with recording, and has pushed me to do more live performances. So far this year, he has been giving lots of tours and introducing new people. It's very cool.”

“I love the MRC,” Beaver said. “It gives me time to practice when I usually can't and gives me lots of chances to do performances. I might help teach some lessons for ukulele, which would be an amazing learning experience. Also, the recording for the CD at the end of the year is such a great opportunity to get experience with recording and producing music.”

The point is to be a positive force in fostering kids' creativity, to provide opportunities for expression and learning. “We're open to all skill levels,” Geisler said. “Whether you're just starting out and you have a little bit of interest or you're a seasoned veteran, we want to see you and help you in any way we can.”