LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Lexington musician is helping Fayette County Public Schools students embrace their musical talents this summer.
What You Need To Know
- Willis Music is working with Lexington musician David McLean for free guitar lessons this summer
- McLean took initiative after he heard about funding concerns and cuts surrounding art and music programs within FCPS
- Students can participate in eight-week beginner and non-beginner bootcamps
- More than 75 students have registered, and McLean said he's aiming for 100 participants
David McLean has played the guitar, among other instruments, since he was 14 years old. He's also the creator of the Lexington Music Awards.
When McLean heard about funding concerns and cuts surrounding art and music programs within FCPS, he decided to help students with a free opportunity to connect with their artistry.
“What I hear a lot is, 'Well, we can't do this, and we can't do that,'" McLean said. "And if I'm being blunt, I have zero interest in what you cannot do.”
McLean partnered with Willis Music in Lexington to offer students eight-week beginner and non-beginner bootcamps.
"Everybody has to go through those fundamentals, too, to get to wherever they're going," he said. "Even someone who comes in and says, 'I want to play the guitar for a living,' they still have to be able to strum three-chord songs around the campfire or they can't do that."
As of May 27, 76 students have signed up to join his class, and McLean said he's aiming for more than 100 participants by the end of the first week.
“We've gotten a couple of donations just since we went public with this ... hopefully, we can serve at least a few people who are in need and don't have instruments of their own," he said.
If other districts are interested, McLean said he'll expand the opportunity to students outside FCPS.