The Youth Center in Los Alamitos recently welcomed Michael Reznick, a new addition to their Music Education Program.
He brings 19 years of music instruction experience to the Youth Center.
“Together with 17 other instructors, the Youth Center brings a quality music program to local schools. Youth Center music instructors are high quality and come with a great deal of experience,” said Executive Director Lina Lumme.
Reznick studied music at Cal State University Long Beach under the private instruction of master saxophonist Leo Potts.
In conjunction, he performed in various ensembles in the CSULB music department before branching out into the professional music world. “I have been instructing music for 19 years in many forms including coaching, clinics, private instruction, after-school programs, and both public and private-school classroom instruction,” said Reznick.
Inspired by numerous composers in several genres, Reznick’s main source of musical enjoyment comes from Jazz and Classical music.
“One of my favorite composers is Bach because many could argue that he is like the first Jazz musician/composer,” said Reznick.
He especially likes Bachs’ concepts of a development section, use of tonality, and chord movement in his works that have paved the way for musical form that is still relevant today. “These concepts have
an improvisatory nature and make his pieces fulfilling to perform,” said Reznick.
“Teaching children to play music is a special experience because playing an instrument is something you give to yourself,” he said. “Creating something with an instrument requires focused thought, discipline and maturity. There is no better way to guide a child through adolescence than through “play” of this kind.”
Reznick enjoys applying techniques and concepts that will ensure success for students from the moment they begin playing an instrument.
He said the unmitigated joy they experience and express outwardly is a special connection that is both real and true, and will be carried with them the rest of their lives. Reznick feels music is something that is made together with other people.
“Music requires composers, conductors, musicians, arrangers, audio engineers, audiences, etc.,” he said. “The adjective “harmonious” is music terminology that is used to describe the sum of parts that have come together to create something beautiful.”
He helps students experience the beauty that is created by listening and collaborating with each other in respect to the knowledge that every person is an important part of a musical conversation.
“Life has many needs, but music is what we live for,” said Reznick.For more information on the Music Program, contact Lina Lumme at lina@theyouthcenter.org.
