Halifax teen with 'duty' to share love of music expands free classes
A Halifax teenager who's been sharing her love of music by giving free lessons to youth has been awarded a grant to help introduce more young people to her passion.
Alicia Jacobs, 17, recently received the $1,000 Gordon Stirrett Wealth Management Community Service Grant through the Halifax Grammar School.
The money will be used to buy or rent instruments needed for her classes.
Jacobs has been teaching music at the Halifax North Memorial Public Library since September, but plans to add one session a week at Spryfield's Captain William Spry Public Library this summer.
Classes a chance to learn something new
Jacobs takes a class of 15 to 20 children through simple songs like Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and It's a Small World to help them build a foundation in the arts.
The sessions cover things like rhythm, vocal exercises and learning how to be part of an orchestra.
"I started planning this last summer. It was made for people who might not have the opportunity to learn music," said Jacobs.
"It's something that I took for granted."
During an hour-long session on Thursday, half the children played bells, each ringing out a different note, while the other half kept the beat.
After some practice, the children brought their new skills together to play It's a Small World while Jacobs kept time with her keyboard.
"Having a musical education has a lot of benefits to you, especially teaching you discipline and hard work," said Jacobs.
Donates time for private lessons
Jacobs just earned her piano-teaching certification and now gives some free private lessons, too.
"There are so many that can't pay for these types of lessons, so I wanted to try to provide that," said Jacobs.
Jacobs said one boy from the weekly program had been trying to teach himself piano at home, so she's taken him on as a private student as well.
"I'm actually going to be teaching him this summer for free," she said.
"I feel like since I've had these opportunities, that it's my duty to help them."
