Aaron Baca, ’01, started Musica del Sol, a music program for underprivileged elementary school students during his senior year at the Academy.

Noticing kids without opportunity beyond the Academy’s gates, Baca started the program to bring music to students who lacked other exposure. An accomplished cellist, Baca first lent a hand to Atrisco Elementary, where he worked with 13 students and taught them to play violin. Now, the after school classes meet regularly at several other schools, helping them explore new musical techniques.

Vicki Gonzales, an avid supporter of the program, helped Baca apply for city funding to further develop the program, according to current Vice President and Artistic Director Jacqueline Cieslak ’07.

After planting the Musica del Sol seed, Baca left for college. He is still involved in the program, as he is the President of the Board of Directors.

Around the same time, former director Elaine Davidson helped to establish the program as a non-profit organization that is free to participating schools.  Over the years, Davidson found enough teachers to expand the program to three other elementary schools, including Bellehaven, Emerson and Griegos, according to the program’s Web site.

Teacher Patrick Clark became particularly interested in the program and became executive director by 2006, the program’s Web site said. He still supports and sustains the program by presenting to schools and finding teachers, according to the Web site.

Academy students continue to intern with the program. Interns are not paid, but involvement does count as community service. Academy students have been exceptional and further involvement would most certainly be appreciated, Clark said.

The program provides equipment and salaries for the teachers with $40,000 from the city of Albquerque. This funding provides the minimum for a successful program, Clark said. “We are at the crisis point budget for teachers right now,” Clark said. More funding would provide the program with enough teachers at each school. “Ideally, there would be two teachers at each school.,” Cieslak said.

Musica del Sol shows students the art of music at a young, impressionable age. By learning how to play a musical instrument, students practice both focus and dedication. “It takes a certain amount of discipline and confidence to play a musical instrument.” Clark said. Though APS middle schools offer music programs, not all elementary schools provide such programs. “

For students economically or socially unstable, music is probably the last thing on their mind. But the program can provide the perfect distraction for those who really need it. “Many factors put kids at risk: socioeconomic status, school, education, neighborhood. School and education are the easiest to change and music and art education can act as a buffer against risk factors,” Cieslak ’07 said.

The program focuses on kids who are most at risk, according to Cieslak,. The program recruits third, fourth and fifth grade students at less fortunate elementary schools, Clark said.  “Musica del Sol gives kids exactly the character traits they need to develop. It becomes the ideal thing, the perfect alternative to getting into trouble.” Clark said.