Hi! I'm Lucas.
I'm 17, and I'm happiest when I'm playing, performing, teaching, learning, and listening to music. I've been in musical theater since kindergarten, and began guitar soon after. Music brings me a lot of joy. It's my constant companion, safe space, confidence booster, and creative outlet.
Everyone should get to feel good about themselves through music. But while all kids may listen to music, many don't have the opportunity to learn to play music. Once I realized that, I also realized I could do my part to help change it.
Thanks for taking the time to learn more about me. Keep scrolling!
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Me, age 7, with my first guitar.
Above: me, age 13, hosting a guitar recital for my students.
How Music Inspires Me
Starting an Organization for Drum Circles
Starting an Organization for Drum Circles
Starting an Organization for Drum Circles
I started RhythmRise.org so that more students, especially in limited-resourced schools, can enjoy drum circles and their therapeutic benefits.
We make and donate drums, a curriculum supplement, and a how-to guidebook.
More about RhythmRise, here.
Volunteering Guitar Lessons
Starting an Organization for Drum Circles
Starting an Organization for Drum Circles
I volunteer guitar lessons for kids in our local housing authority who otherwise may not have access to instruction or instruments.
A special moment was receiving a 2024 Community Hero Award in my town.
You'll see why I love it, here.
Teaching Private Music Lessons
Starting an Organization for Drum Circles
Teaching Private Music Lessons
I started giving private music lessons in 7th grade. I think my students have fun learning from a fellow kid. I definitely have fun learning from them!
Video + photo gallery with my students, here.
Learning About Music Therapy
Learning About Music Therapy
Teaching Private Music Lessons
Through volunteering weekly at NYU Steinhard (Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy), and taking a summer music therapy course, I get to learn how trained therapists use the power of music for good.
Performing Musical Theater
Learning About Music Therapy
Performing Musical Theater
Theater kids enjoy each other for the characters we all truly are, on and offstage.
I'm lucky to be cast in great roles, perform for happy audiences, and win in theater comps.
Video + photo gallery of performances, here.
Performing Music
Learning About Music Therapy
Performing Musical Theater
With the School of Rock House Band, my musical world expanded across instruments, genres, and venues. A highlight was performing at Summerfest, USA"s largest music festival.
Video + photo gallery, here.
Starting a Guitar Club
Continuing My Music Education
Continuing My Music Education
Introducing the Redwings Six-Strings!
It's great playing guiitar with my high school peers, some of whom haven't had previous exposure. We played & won bronze at NJ Teen Arts Festival!
Continuing My Music Education
Continuing My Music Education
Continuing My Music Education
I love learning about all things music, and I'll always be a student. I am so thankful to all my teachers, and for their belief in me.
Guitar, vocals, bass, keys, harmonica, violin, drums, audio tech, and really any instrument someone can nerd out on, I'm into.
Bringing Happiness
Continuing My Music Education
Bringing Happiness
Music makes me calm, gets me amped up, accompanies me, distracts me, motivates me, and enriches me.
I know music will always be in my life, in some form, every day. It makes me happy to know I'm doing my part to help bring music to those around me, too.