CSUEB grad teaches music to East Bay’s at-risk youth

• June 19, 2013 5:00am

Cal State East Bay alumnus Chris Fleckner '11, history, provides free music education to the at-risk population in the East Bay region.

In his Contra Costa Times article, Jeremy Thomas reported,” Growing up in Livermore, ABC Music store manager Chris Fleckner didn't have much interest in high school. He struggled with grades, and, feeling disconnected from his peers, regularly skipped classes at Granada High.

But Fleckner enjoyed playing guitar and happened to fall in with a band of students his age. They entered Battle of the Bands competitions together, and, through music, Fleckner learned all about community involvement and the value of hard work.

"Things fell into place from there," Fleckner said. "It made me connect with everything at school."

Fleckner not only graduated but went on to earn a bachelor's at Cal State East Bay and is working on his master's degree. At the same time, he's imparting his own love of music -- and the positive impact it can make on a young person's life -- as co-founder of Music Pathways, a new nonprofit providing free music education to at-risk and economically disadvantaged teens in Livermore.

"We're trying to teach (the students) that hard work and discipline lead to success," Fleckner said. "Sometimes you just have to find that outlet."

Read news article.

For more information, visit music-pathways, or call East Bay Community Services at 925-961-8045 or ABC Music at 925-443-1244.