On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, music fills the air in Northlands’ Health and Wellness Center. That’s when staff member Paul DiIonno offers free guitar lessons to Northlands students. Paul provides the guitars and music and students provide the enthusiasm to learn.

One recent Tuesday class (a beginner’s class—advanced class meets on Thursdays) found students Hannah and Justin working on Green Day’s “Warning.”

Hannah signed up just recently. She’s only been playing for three weeks, but is eager to learn all kinds of music, from country to rock and everything in between. Justin (who also attends the advanced class) has been playing since the 5^th grade and likes rock music.

Paul teaches by ear (as opposed to reading sheet music) finding it to be a very effective way at getting beginners playing quickly. “I’m just looking to help students get started playing and to coach them along the way,” he said. “It’s sparked several students signing guitars out on a daily basis and a few have brought amps and guitars from home. I now have four advanced students!”

Students are also taking the guitars to the new Music Club recently started by Paul with Mike Emilo. That group meets on Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m.

Thanks Paul for helping to bring music into the lives of our students!