Grammy Music Education Coalition Affiliate David Ellefson Youth Music Foundation Announces “School’s Out” Initiative

GRAMMY Music Education Coalition (GMEC) affiliate David Ellefson Youth Music Foundation (DEYMF), the nonprofit started in 2018 by Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, has announced their “SCHOOL’S OUT” initiative, providing free music lessons and one on one mentoring sessions, via videoconference, with major artists to students stuck at home due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The video sessions will be held by top rock and metal artists including David Ellefson (Megadeth), Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Kiko Loureiro (Megadeth), Frank Bello (Anthrax), Jimmy Degrasso (Ex-Megadeth, Alice Cooper), Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Sons of Apollo, Ex-Guns N’ Roses), Chris Kael (Five Finger Death Punch), Chad Szeliga (Black Star Riders, Walking with Lions), Phil Demmel (Ex-Machine Head), Dave McClain (Sacred Reich, Ex-Machine Head), Clint Lowery (Sevendust), Nita Strauss (Alice Cooper), Brandan Schieppatti (Bleeding Through), Thom Hazaert (Ellefson), Alex Snowden (Doll Skin), Sydney Dolezal (Doll Skin), Ra Diaz (Suicidal Tendencies), Shani Kimelman (Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque Du Soleil), Marc Rizzo (Soulfly), Terry Ilous (XYZ, ex-Great White) and more to be announced.

In addition, DEYMF will build a database of instructional videos including playthroughs, lessons and more from participating artists, that will be made available for free from the website. The Foundation has partnered with videoconferencing/technology giant CISCO, to implement their WEBEX platform for the lessons, as well as audio giant DOLBY, who will provide additional audio/video capture and streaming support via their DOLBY ON app. 

DEYMF is raising funds for the "SCHOOL'S OUT" initiative through its FundRazr campaign which will go towards providing instruments for students and expanding the capacity of the virtual lessons.

The DEYMF has also partnered with GMEC to offer special “SCHOOL’S OUT” sessions to partner school districts within the GMEC network, including Philadelphia and Nashville, with the GMEC providing additional promotional and logistical support. 

“David (Ellefson) and I were brainstorming on ways to give back during the COVID epidemic and put some positivity out in a time of some pretty unparalleled crisis and uncertainty,” says DEYMF co-chair Thom Hazaert. "The mission of our foundation is to try and help keep music in schools, but what happens when kids can’t go to school? As I’m sitting home with my two restless kids, in basically forced exile, it kinda hit me.” He adds, “We started talking about David doing a few online lessons with kids, via the foundation, and then got around to the idea of recruiting some of our other friends as well. Then we talked to our friends at the GRAMMY Music Education Coalition, and it really took on a whole new life, and became a massive initiative.”

"When one person suffers, we all suffer, and this is an unprecedented moment in history when all of us around the world are united for a common cause,” says Ellefson. "Music and the arts have always been some of our greatest healers in a way none other can. As we reach into each other's souls with resounding hope, I'm forever thankful to our friends in the creative community who have kindly offered their expertise to put a smile on the faces of so many people in need right now. Let this be a time when we can all unite under the banner of Music and let our creativity lead the way.”

The video sessions are available for all high school students and younger. To participate, students must submit an application at ellefsonyouthmusicfoundation.org.  

The David Ellefson Youth Music Foundation was formed in 2018, and quickly partnered with the GMEC, with the goal of giving grants and instruments to both individual students, and school music programs in need, focusing on rural areas, like Ellefson’s hometown of Jackson, MN. The foundation was officially kicked off on “David Ellefson Day”, in Ellefson’s hometown, when he returned to a hero’s welcome, performing at his alma mater, Jackson High School, and making a donation to their music program. In addition to the event in Jackson, the DEYMF has participated in multiple events around the country, including several with the GMEC. 

“The idea was to form a non-profit that we can use to raise money to give grants, scholarships and instruments to both individual students, and school music programs," says Ellefson. "Largely in America, when budget cuts come, the music and the arts go first, and they keep the football teams and the sports, but things like music, which is also very intrinsic with mathematics and things like that, they get cut. And, to me, when they’re taking those programs away, this is what we live for, this what turns our engine on in the morning and gets us excited. So, if our music foundation can help put instruments, education, and wind in the sails of these music programs in need, then I think that’s something to strive for.” 

The GRAMMY™ Music Education Coalition (GMEC) is a 501(c)(3) organization created to lead a collaborative movement toward a singular goal — making sure that all students in public schools across America have music education. GMEC is committed to creating high quality, sustainable music education programs that foster comprehensive learning, skills development, creativity, and empowerment among students through equal access. Working in partnership with local and city officials, educators, school board representatives, and parents, GMEC makes data-driven investment in Title 1 (underserved) school systems.

GMEC is a collective of 60+ forward-thinking music education organizations, academics, philanthropists, educators, artists, and parents, those with a substantial track records of support, dedication, and action to improve and expand music education and subsequent learning opportunities for young people on a national scale. Founding partners include the Recording Academy, ELMA Philanthropies, Berklee College of Music, Lang Lang International Music Foundation, Little Kids Rock, National Association for Music Education, NAMM Foundation, HARMAN, and VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

For more information, visit ellefsonyouthmusicfoundation.org.