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Fender and Los Angeles Unified celebrate its first group of graduates from its inaugural Summer Music Program via an online event, ‘Play for LA,’ featuring performances by Este Haim on bass guitar, All Time Low on acoustic guitar/electric bass, Miguel on bass guitar, and Einer Bankz on ukulele, shout-outs from Chris Martin and Mark Hoppus, along with a special commencement address and performance from LAUSD alum Bryce Vine. The event appeared live for students on Thursday, July 23rd, at 6:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time. The ceremony celebrates the philanthropic program that lasted six weeks and supplied more than 1,000 students across grades six-eight, with donated acoustic, electric or bass guitars and ukuleles. The program’s mission was to help the students unlock new ways to express themselves, not only with skills that serve them as musicians but as future leaders and voices of their generation.
The students were taught through a virtual learning environment with guest appearances from notable musicians like Ari O'Neal, Rob G and Gothic Tropic. Fender worked alongside a team of Los Angeles Unified music teachers on all curriculum toward the goal of performing one song in genres like rock, pop, blues or Latin. Students learned ten important chords and how chord progressions work. Students were also taught the history of several genres, solved real-world math problems related to guitars, and learned digital recording techniques.