Growing Through Music at BAMA

How BAMA helps Borrego kids build confidence through music

The Borrego Academy of Music and Arts (BAMA) is a free program that gives Borrego Springs students the opportunity to learn music, performing arts, recording technology, and more. Students can explore instruments, perform in front of audiences, and build confidence while developing new skills.

My experience with BAMA began two years ago when I was 12.

On my first day, we got to try different parts of music, including guitar, ukulele, piano, vocals, and drums. Dennis Hunsinger was very kind and supportive. I mostly played guitar, and I knew then that my journey with BAMA had just begun.

After my first class, there was some confusion because kids thought BAMA might close during renovations. I did not want to miss the chance to keep learning music, so I called BAMA director Kelley Jorgensen to ask if there would be another class. Kelley explained that BAMA would continue, but in a different location. I was very thankful.

One special BAMA experience I want to share was when Dennis moved me up to play bass because the BAMA team no longer had a bass player. Bass was new to me, so I felt useful but also nervous.

At first, it was hard to understand, and I was trying to figure out the notes on my own. Then Dennis showed me where to place my fingers and how to follow the rhythm. Little by little, it started to make sense.

After he helped me, I was able to play a chord—a combination of two or more notes played together—on the bass by myself. I felt proud because it felt like in one day, something that seemed hard finally clicked.

Being able to help the BAMA team by playing bass made me feel like I was part of something important.

Being part of BAMA has taught me to let my mind flow when it comes to music. I have learned that music is not always about someone telling you exactly what strumming pattern to use or what order the chords have to be in. Sometimes, you have to listen to the rhythm and the notes and let your mind take over.

I think BAMA matters to our community because it gives kids a chance to learn music, make friends, and be part of something special. It is helping create a band from Borrego Springs that people can be proud of.

My advice to other kids is to take the opportunity to learn something new. Practice builds confidence, and showing up matters.

Overall, BAMA has made a difference in my life because it helped me feel included in something. Before BAMA started two summers ago, I spent most of the summer sitting in my mom’s office, watching movies and waiting for the break to be over. Then one day, my mom told me about a new program called BAMA and asked if I wanted to go. I was so happy because I finally had something fun and meaningful to do for the rest of the summer.

Fun Fact: You can take any song and make it your own. I sang “Old Time Rock and Roll” with my acoustic guitar and turned a rock song into something with more of a country feel.

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The Borrego Springs Music Festival is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization.

Your donations are tax deductible.

Mentor's Note

This article is Mia Garcia's Week 3 project as a Borrego Sun Youth Intern.

Mia worked on this article over two days, for a total of three hours. We started on Friday during a family friend's birthday celebration, and Mia stayed patient and focused even as the party started around us. We finished the article on Saturday.

This part was a learning experience for both of us because of my lack of music knowledge. Mia was patient and knew what sounded right. At one point, we even used Wikipedia so I could better understand what chords are, which Mia thought was funny.

What stood out most was how clearly Mia understood what this story meant to her. This article reflects her experience with BAMA, her growth through music, and the confidence that comes from showing up, practicing, and learning something new.

As part of the Borrego Sun Youth Internship program, Mia will receive a stipend for completing her weekly assignments. More importantly, she is building writing, interviewing, and storytelling skills while sharing experiences that matter to local youth and the Borrego Springs community.

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