Little Kids Rock David Wish Fellowship Awarded 2005  Little Kids Rock restores and revitalizes music education to its rightful place in the academic lives of students in our public schools by providing a rich music program including free instruments, instruction and mentor training. In 2002 Little Kids Rock was established as a national nonprofit. Since that time, its growth rate, along with the impact it has had on students' lives, has been remarkable. LKR's revolutionary teaching philosophy is designed to engage students by speaking to them through the music they love and want to play. David Wish began his professional career as a teacher. He taught both English and Spanish-speaking students in the Ravenswood school district of East Palo Alto, California. While Dave was the lead music teacher and arts program director of Hawes School in Redwood City, he conceived the idea for Little Kids Rock. After observing how budget cuts had nearly killed the school's music program, he began giving free, after-school guitar lessons to a few of his students. The demand for his music classes revealed itself, and the organization got its start. In addition to its music programs held at public schools, Little Kids Rock broadcasts music lessons 24 hours a day, 7 days per week at its online TV station at www.littlekidsrock.tv. Little Kids Rock lessons are also available on iTunes U, Apple's free educational component of its popular iTunes platform. You can learn more about Little Kids Rock at www.littlekidsrock.org. |
