We were honored to welcome professional songwriter and bassist, Eva Gardner (P!nk, Cher, Gwen Stafani, The Mars Volta), to one of our partner schools as she shared her passion for music.

The highlight of the event was Eva’s captivating performance. Her skillful playing captivated hearts and sparked a newfound appreciation for the arts in our students. It was a moment of pure magic, demonstrating the impact music education can have on young minds. The day featured a Q&A session where eager young minds had the chance to delve into the world of music, exploring the nuances of a career as a professional musician. Eva’s insights into the transformative power of music engaged the students as she urged each of them to never give up on their dreams.

We extend our gratitude to Eva Gardner for graciously sharing her time, talent, and wisdom with our students. Her visit not only enriched our understanding of the arts but also reinforced the importance of quality music education. Thank you, Eva, for being a beacon of inspiration in our students’ musical journey!

 

Questions from Music Students:

Has anyone tried to put you down for becoming a musician when you were growing up?

There were situations that were not very nice, but you learn along the way how to deal with those kinds of people. Look for the people who encourage you and try to build you up. You don’t want to be around negative people, try to get away from them.

 

How old were you when you got your guitar and what interested you in guitar?

My dad got me my first guitar when I was 14 years old. I grew up listening to a lot of guitar players, like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. The music I really liked was by guitar players so that interested me in guitar.

 

Are you nervous when you play the guitar?

I’m always nervous! I think that being prepared is important though. I practiced that song I played before I came here today, so I wasn’t as nervous as I would be if I didn’t practice.

 

Eva Interview:

Tell us about yourself and how you got into music?

I was born and raised in Hollywood, CA. My father was a bass player from England and he moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s. I was always around him and his musician friends when I was growing up and they seemed to get so much joy from what they did. My father was so animated when he would tell stories of being on tour and I knew that’s what I wanted to do too!

 

Why did you pursue music?

I love the feeling of community that music provides. When I was little, my father opened up a British pub in Hollywood called The Cat & Fiddle, which my family still owns and operates. It was a hub for all kinds of entertainers from near and far. At one point we had regular live music; I grew up seeing my father and his friends play and it felt natural for me to follow suit. Luckily, music was also taught at my elementary school so I had early exposure to the technical side of things. This allowed me to have an early grasp on the musical language which opened the doorway to pursuing my career.

 

Do you believe that ANY child can pursue music as a career if they really want to?

Any child can absolutely pursue music as a career if they want to. It takes dedication, persistence, and resilience, but it’s possible for anyone! There are also so many different facets to a musical career. In addition to the performers there are music producers, recording engineers, managers, booking agents, composers, arrangers, music journalists, publicists, promoters, tour managers, and so many more pathways.

 

How did music education impact you as a child?

The music classes in my elementary school provided my earliest memories of performing in front of people. During our school concerts I would play instruments like the bass xylophone, glockenspiel, and woodblock. We also played the recorder and did lots of singing. All of this created a foundation for me and formed the building blocks for what would later become my musical career. Having exposure to this at a young age gave me the confidence to later pursue music seriously.

 

Why is music education so important for every child?

Whether or not a child has aspirations of becoming a professional in the musical field, an education in music provides so many holistic benefits and enriches their lives in a myriad of ways. Music education contributes to overall development, including coordination skills, cognitive ability, listening skills, discipline, focus, confidence, and since it’s often collaborative, it encourages teamwork, communication, and cooperation. It also encourages personal expression and creativity, allowing kids to think outside the box. The countless benefits reverberate into numerous areas of a child’s life, enhancing their lives as a whole.