The ‘People’s Music School’ moves to Midway

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
‘The People’s Music School’ is now located in the Midway.
After 45 years in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis, the West Bank School of Music (WBSM) moved in July 2015 to 655 Fairview Ave.
“The feedback from students and instructors has been incredibly positive,” remarked Amy Reise. “The organization has engaged new students from the neighborhood and the building, including siblings of St. Paul Ballet students; individuals who train at the Elements studio; and members of the Living Word munity-oriented businesses located in the former Banta Corp. paper warehouse that is owned by Living Word Church.
Transforming lives
The mission of West Bank School of Music is to transform lives and the community through innovative music education and inspiring performances.
PHOTO RIGHT: West Bank School of Music student Lorna W. takes a lesson from accordion instructor Dan Turpening. (Photo submitted)
Founded in 1970, WBSM was created by musician/composer Warren Park to expand music education beyond traditional classical training styles. Informally nicknamed, “The People’s Music School,” WBSM was the first music school in Minneapolis to specialize in music education in popular and roots music styles, including blues, jazz, folk, Rock n’ Roll, country, and world music.
Over the past 45 years, more than 20,000 students of all ages have received affordable, innovative music education from instructors who, in addition to teaching for WBMS, are professional musicians, recording artists, and composers.
Music classes develop the brain
West Bank School of Music offers private lessons, classes, workshops, ensembles, summer youth band camps, and community concerts. Families and students of all ages and backgrounds are attracted to West Bank School of Music’s affordable music instruction that offers a disciplined, yet casual style and focus on teaching students based on their interests.
“Music education is beneficial for people of all ages, and it is never too late to learn a new instrument or resume lessons,” urged Reise.
She added, “Musical training helps develop the brain areas involved in language and reasoning; promotes spacial intelligence (the ability to perceive the world accurately and form mental pictures of things); promotes creative thinking and problem solving, and encourages empathy.”
PHOTO RIGHT: Lila Ammons is a vocal instructor at the West Bank School of Music. (Photo submitted)
West Bank School of Music has taught private lessons to students as old as four and as young as 82. Music instruction is offered seven days a week, during the daytime and evenings. Lesson times are arranged with instructors.
For further information about West Bank School of Music instructors and instrument offerings, visit wbsm.org or call 612-333-6651. Lesson rates are affordable, and there are discounts and scholarships available.

Article appeared in the December 2015 Monitor Saint Paul.

R.E.A.D. offers students arts, engineering, and design training

After-school and summer programs help kids build skills in areas they’re interested while keeping them off the streets

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
R.E.A.D. After School and Summer Youth Development Center and the JL Griffis School is the newest addition to the youth programs housed at 655 S. Fairview.
Founder Jerry Griffis is excited about how the organizations will be able to network together.
The after school youth center is one of six community-oriented businesses located in the former Banta Corp. paper warehouse that is owned by Living Word Church.
“My goal is to partner with some of my building-mates to make that facility one of the premiere after school and summer learning facilities for the kids in St. Paul,” said Griffis.
A safe place
Griffis started R.E.A.D. four years ago and serves as its executive director.
“After a tragedy in my life I saw a need to start an out of school program, one that would keep youth safe and would give them hope,” explained Griffis.
The 24 x 24 square foot performing arts stage in the center is named after his late son Detrick Devon Griffis, a victim of teenage suicide.
“That really put the fire under me to do things for kids,” explained Griffis.
Not all kids will be hockey, basketball or baseball players, he pointed out. Instead, they may find their passion in art.
R.E.A.D. stands for Robotic, Engineering, Arts & Design, and the programs there reflect a range of interests.
“I realized that kids have more time out of school than in school,” explained Griffis. “I wanted to provide a safe place for them to be encouraged—and maybe they will realize that our programs can lead them on a career path.”
He knows what kids are going through
For the past 22 years, Griffis worked in the automotive industry, the only Afro-American service manager for GM in the Twin Cities. He manages the White Bear Lake Superstore Service Department.
The only child of a single mom in the city, Griffis knows what it is like when a single parent who works two jobs doesn’t have much time to spend with a child. Griffis didn’t get out to hunt or fish like kids in the country might. And he didn’t do that as an adult either. Instead, he spent his time honing photography, videography, and audio engineering skills. He has begun several magazines, including I Am Magazine for the gospel music industry and Silence the Violence. In 1989, he built a studio and has since been the executive producer of seven records.
He has taken these various interests and combined them into an organization that gives kids not just something to do in their free time, but also skills they can use in careers.
“I know what they’re going through,” explained Griffis. “So I wanted to provide a safe place for kids.”
The mission at R.E.A.D is to challenge the community of learners to reach global standards through unique and engaging experiences and opportunities in a safe and nurturing environment.
When a child says, “‘Thank you, Mr. Griffis, I really learned a lot,’ that’s something that touches your heart,” remarked Griffis.
Programs expanding
In 2011, R.E.A.D. began operating in three rooms at the Urban League of Minneapolis. They turned rooms that were being used for storage in space for the arts, with a recording studio in one room, videography and photography in another, and audio engineering in the third.
PHOTO LEFT: Sixth to eighth grade students from St. Peter Clever School at Lexington and I94 are thrilled to get a completion certificate and Target gift card after a semester attending R.E.A.D. programs. (Photo submitted)
When Urban League needed the rooms back last year, R.E.A.D. went mobile and began operating its programs at its partner schools, which include Urban League Academy (grades 6-12), Friendship Academy Charter School (grades 6-8), and St. Peter Clever School (grades 6-8).
Now that it has found a 3,000-square-foot home at 655 S. Fairview, R.E.A.D. it is once again operating out of its own location. And with the increase in space, it can expand its programs.
Through R.E.A.D., students discover interests and talents, as well as a strong desire to achieve something higher than themselves and greater than the violence of the streets.
“We want them to find purpose, cultivate change and develop leadership,” said Griffis.
A large performing arts stage may be used for theater, choreography, dance and more. Griffis’ hope is that students learn not only to express themselves, but the solid speaking skills and the confidence to be in front of an audience. There are also two studios, one for post production and one with 24-channels.
Griffis pointed out that the Studio 158A classroom music education system takes a new approach to music education. The blended learning model merges the best music education pedagogy, a proprietary curriculum, and distance learning technology.
“Unlike customary classroom education programs that focus on band, orchestra, and chorus, Studio 158A embraces non-traditional instruments and distributive technology,” said Griffis.
They pull in a wide audience of teachers, students, and parents with a passion for playing music individually and in groups.
“Our curriculum integrates professional development to empower music educators to master the latest concepts and methods in the teaching of music,” he added.
An office equipped with a heat press will enable students to learn entrepreneurial skills and start their own business making greeting cards, t-shirts, hoodies and more.
Automotive and aviation training offered
JL Griffis Twin Cities School also offers automotive and aviation training. Classes begin at the 655 S. Fairview location and then move to a building on County Road D in Maplewood.
The 12-week automotive detailing training program teaches auto service, detailing, and customer service.
Griffis pointed out that there is a shortage of automotive technicians as many of the current workers retire. “They make a good living, earning $55-$70,000 a year. These are jobs you can get with no college degree. You need to read, type and listen,” said Griffis.
“These are things I don’t think a lot of our community knows about, and I want to introduce them to.”
Fishing and golf tournaments
R.E.A.D. hosts two events annually, a fishing tournament the Saturday before Father’s Day, and a golf tournament in August. The events pull in various sponsors who get to mentor kids for a day.
PHOTO RIGHT: In 2015, R.E.A.D. hosted its first Father’s Day Fishing Tournament the Saturday before Father’s Day. It’s an meaningful event for R.E.A.D. founder Jerry Griffis (center, back row), who grew up without a father to celebrate with on Father’s Day. He’s glad to be a part of making memories for other kids without fathers. (Photo submitted)
The fishing tournament is especially close to Griffis’ heart. His father died when he was seven, so Griffis doesn’t have his own father’s day memories. He’s glad to help create those for other kids without fathers. Last year he manned the barbecue grill. “It was just a wonderful time,” said Griffis.
He is also excited to assist with Toys for Tots this year, and will help distribute toys to families they come in contact with.
Learn more at http://jlgtcs.org.

Article appeared in the December 2015 Monitor Saint Paul.

Spirit Tae Kwon Do emphasizes courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit in Fairview Ave. location

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN
Spirit Tae Kwon Do (TKD) at 655 Fairview offers lessons in traditional and Olympic-style Tae Kwon Do. “Our mission statement is to share the beauty of Tae Kwon Do while strengthening the practitioner with the five tenets observed in the art,” explained co-owner Agnes Espino.
Spirit TKD‘s main focus is on courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit.
Agnes’ husband, Spirit TKD instructor, Joe Espino, is a firm believer that to be a well-rounded martial artist, one must master oneself first.
Agnes added, “Our lessons are based on uplifting the practitioner to gain confidence, self-awareness and a sense of community involvement.”
PHOTO LEFT: Spirit Taekwondo is a member of USA Taekwondo Association. Students attend, compete and support local and national tournaments. Spirit Taekwondo houses local grand champions and National Olympians. (Photo submitted)
This emphasis on strong moral values is what sets Spirit Tae Kwon Do apart.
“The views of Spirit Tae Kwon Do towards martial arts is not based on physical capability alone,” pointed out Agnes. “It is not based on the financial status of an individual. It is, however, based on the practitioner’s attitude on adapting the art in their everyday life.”
Strong family bonds
Spirit Tae Kwon Do offers a variety of classes for adults and children age five and up. Siblings and parents are encouraged to take family classes together.
In fact, that’s how the Espino family became involved in Tae Kwon Do. Joe, Agnes and their two daughters began training together at USA Tae Kwon Do in Farmington, Minn. in 2005.
Born and raised in Chicago, Joe had always enjoyed martial and combative arts, including Kung Fu, boxing, kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do.
Upon seeing the benefits of what Tae Kwon Do had to offer, Joe decided to become a practitioner. He found that it helped him in growing closer to his family, friends and community.
He studied under Master Luong Pham and Master Hoang Danh. In 2010, as a Master instructor, Joe open Spirit Tae Kwon Do in St. Paul on Grand Ave.
“Spirit Tae Kwon Do strongly believes in strong family bonds and a nourishment of one’s spirit,” said Agnes.
Spirit TKD families are supportive of each other, welcoming towards newcomers and understand the importance of community involvement.
Master Joe works with people from all walks of life. He enjoys helping families become closer to each other. He also works with individuals that have autism and social anxiety, finding activities and hosting focus sessions for children with special needs.
Adults and kids experience physical benefits, such as increased strength, stamina, energy, flexibility, balance and faster reflexes; as well as the mental benefits of improved concentration, reduced stress levels and increased levels of relaxation throughout the day.
Becoming role models
“Tae Kwon Do can give the practitioner confidence, motivation and initiative. The practitioner exercises their body physically, their mind mentally and their soul spiritually. Tae Kwon Do opens up new outlooks on life,” said Agnes. “They make friends, achieve goals and ultimately become role models through the art of Tae Kwon Do.”
Spirit Tae Kwon Do is a member of USA Tae Kwon Do Association. Students attend, compete and support local and national tournaments. Spirit Tae Kwon Do houses local grand champions and National Olympians. Spirit Tae Kwon Do provides after school programs and lessons to St. Paul public schools and St. Paul area private schools.
Spirit Tae Kwon Do also offers other packages such as Tae Kwon Do-style birthday parties, fundraisers, holidays and social events, demonstrations and private lessons.
Interested individuals can call 651-428-6170. Or, stop by for a free class. For more information, browse www.istkd.com or visit one of their two Facebook pages: Spirit Tae Kwon Do St. Paul and Spirit Tae Kwon Do School.

Copyright © Monitor Saint Paul