Hi James,

Summer break just started, and with my wife Kristina off for the season (she teaches high school), it didn’t take long for the backyard visits to begin. On her first day off, she was outside chatting with our friend Chika - who, by the way, is an incredible guitar player and songwriter.

I was upstairs in my office with the window open when I overheard them talking about something that stopped me in my tracks.

They were talking about how some local school boards across the province are making cuts to the arts - including music programs.

As a parent, my first thought was: “Will this affect my kids?” My daughter just finished kindergarten, my son starts next year… and they might not have music at school?

But right after that, I had another thought: Wait a second. We’re a musical family. Kristina plays. I teach. There's no way our kids are growing up without music.

Still, it got me thinking about the bigger picture. My kids need other kids to jam with. They need a community. And honestly? That’s something all of us need.

That’s why I’m so grateful for the GoodGuitarist community. To everyone who’s been posting in the group, sharing your progress, jumping into the monthly challenges - thank you. You’re keeping music alive. You’re showing the next generation that it’s not just worth preserving - it’s worth celebrating - it's... essential.

If the school system isn’t going to take care of this, maybe it's up to us to pass it on.

That might mean a grandparent sharing the good stuff from back in the day.
Or an aunt teaching her niece a few chords.
Or a parent simply putting on their favorite record and watching a kid’s eyes light up.

So here are a couple questions for you:
Have you ever shared music with a younger person in your life? What happened?
Or was there someone when you were younger who influenced you and got you into music?

Hit reply - I’d love to hear your story.

- James

🏆 Meet Dave – Our Student of the Month for June! 🎉

Based in Bristol, England, Dave’s guitar journey is a story of perseverance, passion, and rediscovery. Originally from Scotland, Dave picked up his first guitar as a punk-loving teenager, but life took him in other directions. Years later, while working night shifts at an airport, he stumbled upon GoodGuitarist lessons on YouTube.

Despite facing physical challenges like arthritis, Dave fully reignited his love for guitar in early 2023. What started as casual strumming has turned into a deep commitment. He’s now learning challenging tunings, tackling songs that once felt impossible, and (this is huge), he’s getting ready to play his first open mic!

Dave’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to start, grow, and fall in love with music all over again. 🎶

If you’re feeling stuck or need a little inspiration… just remember Dave’s words:

“I never give up.”

🌟 We choose a new "Student of the Month" from our community every month. Keep learning, keep connecting, and you might see your name here next!