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Erick Ibarra picked up his first guitar at 17. Since then, he\u2019s joined two conservatories, and became a section leader of the Sim\u00f3n Bolivar Guitar Orchestra. (Courtesy photo | Erick Ibarra)<\/p>\nMusic has been a defining part of 17-year-old Axel Aguayo\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
When he was around 7, his parents bought him a brown acoustic guitar from a garage sale. Aguayo later spotted a flyer advertising guitar lessons with Erick Ibarra. His mom signed him up, and he studied under Ibarra for the next five years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIbarra taught me how to play different songs, chords and melodies,\u201d Aguayo said. \u201cI owe a lot to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now Ibarra is bringing free music education to underserved communities through the Music 4 Libraries Project. He has partnered with libraries to provide instruments and lessons to show kids like Aguayo the power music has to connect and transform lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Music 4 Libraries Project starts with sound exploration, introducing children to basic music concepts. Advanced stages include guitar lessons, often with donated instruments, as the project seeks to acquire more guitars to expand its offerings. Ibarra\u2019s goal is a national network of libraries hosting music ensembles.<\/p>\n
In Forest Hill, the timing was perfect. Executive director Michael Hardrick said the library was already exploring ways to revamp story time by bringing more music when Ibarra reached out.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was good timing,\u201d Hardrick said. \u201cMusic and literacy go hand in hand. When you think about the alphabet, you sing it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The library launched sessions in topics ranging from music theory to jam sessions in October.<\/p>\n
\u201cLearning music is a lifelong skill that kids will be able to use in other areas of their lives,\u201d Hardrick said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2018Love at first touch\u2019<\/p>\n
For Ibarra, 39, music did not come as early. Growing up in Caracas, Venezuela, he didn\u2019t pick up a guitar until he was 17.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember the first time I grabbed a guitar, it was love at first touch,\u201d Ibarra said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Self-taught at first, his dedication carried him into two conservatories, where he became a section leader of the Sim\u00f3n Bolivar Guitar Orchestra. He also earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in library science at Universidad Central de Venezuela.<\/p>\n
In 2016, Ibarra immigrated to the United States. Starting over meant taking jobs outside his field before landing in a public library in 2019. Still, he was searching for a way to combine music and education while serving his community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That vision evolved into the Music 4 Libraries Project, which offers music lessons in underserved communities for all ages.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMusic is a way to communicate and be free,\u201d Ibarra said.<\/p>\n
Erick Ibarra picked up his first guitar at 17. Since then, he\u2019s joined two conservatories, and became a section leader of the Sim\u00f3n Bolivar Guitar Orchestra. (Courtesy photo | Erick Ibarra)<\/p>\n
Making music accessible\u00a0<\/p>\n
The program makes music accessible.<\/p>\n
At Azle Memorial Library, assistant library director Victor Gonzalez said its program is a free, six-week course for beginners that requires participants to bring their own acoustic guitar.<\/p>\n
Typically, guitar lessons range<\/a> from $70 to $100 across the United States, according to the ArtMaster website.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMusic is essential,\u201d Gonzalez said. \u201cIt\u2019s cathartic, healing, and it meets people where they\u2019re at.\u201d<\/p>\n Both libraries are seeking instrument donations to expand opportunities.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cPeople can achieve whatever they want with effort,\u201d Gonzalez said. \u201cLibraries speak to those who want to achieve the most in life, and music is a perfect way to do that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Sparking an inspiration<\/p>\n The impact of accessible music lessons is evident for Aguayo.\u00a0<\/p>\n He grew up surrounded by a family of musicians. His grandfather, a mariachi, gave him his first guitar lesson when he was 7.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe told my parents, \u2018He learns quickly,\u2019\u201d Aguayo said.<\/p>\n By 10, Aguayo\u2019s love for music deepened while listening to a guitar solo from Bunbury\u2019s \u201cM\u00e1s alto que nosotros s\u00f3lo el cielo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want to learn how to play guitar like that,\u201d Aguayo said. \u201cThat\u2019s when I asked my parents to buy me a guitar.\u201d<\/p>\n Today, Aguayo plays guitar, bass, drums and keyboard. He performs with a band and credits Ibarra for teaching him new techniques.<\/p>\n Aguayo believes programs like Music 4 Libraries can spark inspiration in kids, as it did for him.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMusic connects people,\u201d he said. \u201cIt gives you a place to belong.\u201d<\/p>\n Orlando Torres is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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