Listen to this article
The Freer Forte music program offers affordable lessons that help kids develop skills and gain performance experience.
The halls of The Salvation Army Anaheim Red Shield come alive with music every Wednesday evening, transforming the community center into a hub of melody and rhythm as kids gather to learn, play and share their love for music.
The Freer Forte music program, named after donor Lynn Freer, launched in fall 2023. Freer donated to The Salvation Army to expand music lesson opportunities for school-aged children.
In line with Freer’s vision, the program offers high-quality, low-cost music lessons for students ages 7-14 across Orange County—and beyond. For $100, students can enroll in 16-week sessions in the spring or fall or a $50, 7-week summer session. Musicians can choose to learn drums, guitar, ukulele, keyboard, singing or musical theater.
The program offers scholarships to help with tuition, instrument rentals and private lessons for an additional fee. At the end of the sessions, students perform in a recital to showcase what they’ve learned.
“Lynn envisioned a centralized place for students to gather and learn music and instruments that align with their interests,” said Anaheim Red Shield Creative Arts and Music Director Alisa Hopper. “We’re seeing the vision come to life through Freer Forte.”
After launching the program, Hopper hired four professional musicians with years of experience in the music industry to help teach the classes. She said some have won Grammy Awards, performed on Broadway and recorded songs featured in films.
Each instructor specializes in their area of focus and is skilled in teaching music theory, technique and performance.
“It’s wonderful to see how music gives kids a voice, not just on stage, but in the world.”
Kimbra Westervelt, Freer Forte singing instructor
“God really blessed us with the best teachers imaginable,” Hopper said. “They bring real-life experience and a genuine passion for teaching the next generation.”
From drum lessons on upside-down Home Depot buckets to acting out a dramatic scene in front of their peers, kids are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and embrace creativity during the classes.
Freer Frote enrolls 75-100 students in each session, with each class containing around eight students to maintain a focused group environment.
“Our instructors tailor lessons to meet each student’s needs while fostering group practice,” Hopper said. “Their ability to teach individually and keep everyone engaged is impressive.”
Hopper designed the curriculum to help students become familiar with their instrument or vocal skills, ensuring they can sight-read music and understand concepts like melodic structures, phrasing and articulation. And they prepare for the recital.
“Students work with teachers to decide what song they will perform,” Hopper said. “We always try to encourage uplifting, God-focused songs.”
For 11-year-old Jacob Gutierrez, the music lessons provide a welcome respite after a long school day.
“Music is like a nice break,” he said, while practicing for his guitar lesson. “I can have fun and do something I like.”
Jacob has taken lessons for a few months and said he’s always been interested in learning music, with rock as his favorite genre.
“The teachers make the lessons fun,” he said. “Coming to class is something I get excited for every Wednesday.”
James Grover, a guitar instructor at Freer Forte with 33 years of teaching experience, said the program offers students like Jacob benefits beyond learning music.
“In a time when many kids are hooked on video games and social media, music provides a creative outlet that encourages focus, discipline and expression,” he said.
He added when kids commit to learning music, it helps them develop qualities of confidence and perseverance.
“It’s a great way for them to have fun while also developing skills that could help them in the future,” Grover said.
Freer Forte singing instructor Kimbra Westervelt said she has witnessed similar benefits.
“One of my students is a 7-year-old girl with a beautiful voice, but she’s always been a little shy,” Westervelt said. “In the past two months, I’ve watched her skills and confidence grow with each lesson.”
Westervelt said she sees the group setting benefiting social skills and helping kids build the courage to express themselves in front of others.
Looking ahead, Westervelt said they are in the process of putting bands together to provide more opportunities for students to engage and collaborate.
“It’s wonderful to see how music gives kids a voice, not just on stage, but in the world,” Westervelt said. “Bringing opportunities to learn music to more kids and communities can be life-changing for so many.”
Do Good:
- Imagine we had a good-living modern village with real talk, real stories and real support for being human and hopeful. Join the Hopefuls Collective and find a place of low-pressure, high-encouragement love anytime you need it, whether you know it or not. Get in the group today.
Download this page as a PDF
