Anni Beach
Founder, Jam Pak
“I grew up in a family where building community among friends and people who needed a place at the table of life was taught by words and deeds.” In 1994, this substitute teacher at Galveston Elementary had taken her mandolin to the school and played bluegrass music in every classroom where she taught. After school, two little boys knocked on her door, wanting to sing and play more music. The very next week, Jam Pak Blues ‘N’ Grass Neighborhood Band was born. She and her husband, Vincent, opened their front yard and their home to the children. “We made our home into an oasis of peace and beauty in our immigrant neighborhood. The house and buildings are brightly painted. A huge memorial flag flies day and night to remind people passing by to be faithful and to live in peace with each other.” Over the past 20 years, literally hundreds of children have joined in, learning music, self-awareness, and self-discipline through creativity and expression. In the early days, the children built instruments called canjos: a single-string fretted instrument with a soda can. Today, Jam Pak is more than an organization, it is a community created around a love for music. It is a place where children grow up playing bluegrass and building a music community with everyone on a level playing field. Many never leave the band and, in turn, mentor the next generation of young musicians. “My strongest trait I was born with is TENACITY. I am tenacious! Not a pretty word but it defines my character. When I set out to do something, I will do everything I can to see it through.” Her dedication to this mission was recognized in 2014 with a Governors Arts Award. Her embracing spirit and signature pigtails are a light in the arts community. It is impossible not to smile and be pulled in by her enthusiastic spark.
22
LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | L IFE + CULTURE
“My strongest trait I was born with is TENACITY. I am tenacious! Not a pretty word but it defines my character.”