DETROIT – A music educator from the city of Detroit offers a summer camp for youth to spread her love for music.
Cecelia Sharpe started her organization, Urban Stringz, in 2007 in her living room.
"We just had eight kids and my mom would cook them breakfast," Sharpe said.
She, along with two other instructors, teach students ages 5-18 how to play stringed instruments. She offers a two-week camp in Midtown every summer. There are 45 children enrolled in this year's summer camp. It's the most Sharpe has ever had.
"There's so many levels of the value of music education here in the city and beyond," she said.
Her love for music started when she was a child and music has become a part of her. It's even in her name.
"Even if I wanted to, I couldn't escape music because my name is C-Sharpe," she said.
Sharpe's organization is unique because she teaches hip-hop, pop and other trendy music forms to the students as a way to better connect with them. But the camp is about more than teaching students how to play instruments.
"It's about building those skills, social skills, character and overcoming some of the parts that aren't so strong, and keeping music alive and the value of music. It's a great outlet for students to learn how to express themselves and articulate through music," Sharpe said.
London Jones started the program when she was 11 and has been a part of it for five years now, playing the violin.
"I started off in beginner and now I'm in advanced for my third year. At my school, we don't have any type of orchestra program and Urban Stringz was my first experience with a violin and ever since, I've loved it and if I didn't have Urban Stringz, I wouldn't be exposed to it," Jones said.
Jones said she has learned a lot about herself.
"I've learned a lot about confidence but also about humility because you're talented but so is everyone else. You have to be able to take criticism," she said.
Zen Spencer Harris lives in Baltimore during the year, but comes to Detroit for the summer and always looks forward to Urban Stringz summer camp. He thinks it's beneficial for the city.
"It gives kids that outlet, especially when it's music that they hear on the radio instead of just classical. Nothing wrong with classical but some kids need something they can relate to," he said.
Sharpe will open registration for next year's summer camp early next year.
"It's about making sure students that are here in the city have access and that the barriers are just broken down that inner city kids can't or don't have the ability to do things. It's sometimes just a matter of resources because our kids are talented. They can, they will and they show people every time," she said.