WELCOME HOME!
MGI - Regis Ferruzza Guitars for Veterans
Sponsored by Marlow Guitar International (MGI),
in Cooperation with the USO Warrior and Family Center in Bethesda-MD,
and the Steven A Cohen Military Family Clinic in Silver at Easterseals in Silver Spring-MD.
Marlow Guitar International believes strongly that music and the arts play a vital role in building community and can also promote personal health and well-being. The MGI – Regis Ferruzza Guitars for Veterans Program was born of the desire to support veterans who have sacrificed on our behalf and may now need our assistance, especially in coping and healing from anxiety, stress and other challenges to their well-being. MGI hopes to assist in the pathway of reintegration and/or recovery by offering guitar lessons to veterans, an activity that can inspire, open the window of the mind and wake the spirit.
Veterans selected for the program receive a new guitar, accessories and 15 weekly one-hour lessons with our wonderful and versatile instructor, Michael Bard. By offering consistent lessons on a quality instrument with a skilled instructor without charge to the participants, MGI is able to set the stage for learning the guitar and ultimately developing a relationship with an art form that can contribute to long-term health and well-being.
Each veteran receives a gift of:
- Fifteen weekly one-on-one lessons with a guitar instructor who is versatile in many musical styles (class now online)
- A new classical guitar with carrying case
- All accessories: sheet music, stand, tuner, strings and method book
Testimonials
“Michael made me feel at ease when learning a new instrument. I have wanted to play the guitar all of my life and being in the presence of a teacher who is nonjudgmental, patient and kind makes all the difference. Gifted with everything from the start has enabled my dream to be a reality! I’m super excited and extremely grateful! Thank you for making veterans like me feel cared about. Traumatic things have happened in my lifetime and having the guitar to help distract from those memories helps to open a new chapter.”
– From T.P.
“The guitar program has really helped me. I was recommended to the program by the Navy via a therapy program and it has helped me to flex learning muscles that I have not been able to use for a long time. I hope this program is able to continue to help active duty Sailors for a long time.”
– From MC2 M.C
“Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I as a young boy would sit and listen to my father play the guitar by himself or with family and friends and it connected everyone through song. I have always wanted to learn how to play but unfortunately chose a different path. When my father passed away 5 years ago I said I would take the time to learn and that in where your organization and Michael come in. Michael has been very genuine and had already helped me tremendously in the short time we’ve had together. Hopefully soon we start in person sessions! I really look forward to that. Thank you for everything.”
– From E.B.