December 18, 2025 I Philanthropy
200 L.A. Fire-Affected Students Receive Guitars, Mentorship at Special Event
A student who received a guitar during the "The Sound of What's Possible" event on Dec. 6.
The Los Angeles College of Music (LACM) and nonprofit Free Guitars 4 Kids (FG4K) welcomed 200 Los Angeles-area students to LACM’s Pasadena campus on Dec. 6 for The Sound of What’s Possible, a celebration of music, mentorship and second chances, presented by Sweetwater.
Many of the participating students lost their homes, schools and instruments in January’s Eaton wildfires in Altadena, California.
The event opened with a special performance by Grammy Award-winning guitarist Brent Paschke (Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, Snoop Dogg), who later joined students on the floor for hands-on guidance and encouragement. Students then unwrapped their first guitars, many fighting back tears, as a room full of professional musicians cheered them on.
“This was one of the most meaningful days we’ve ever had,” said Ben Dudley, executive director of Free Guitars 4 Kids. “Seeing students who’ve endured so much walk in with the weight of a tough year—and walk out with huge smiles and new guitars—was unforgettable. Our mission is to show kids they’re seen, valued, and capable of extraordinary things. LACM, Sweetwater, and these incredible musicians helped make that mission real.”
“These students showed so much strength and curiosity, and getting to share music with them was a privilege,” Paschke said. “Seeing them light up when they got their guitars was unforgettable. Music has shaped my entire life, and helping spark that same journey for someone else is incredibly rewarding.”
“Saturday’s event was a powerful reminder of why music education matters,” said Erin Workman, LACM’s executive vice president. “Watching these students light up as they received their guitars reinforced our commitment to opening doors for young creatives. That’s why LACM also awarded three students a free week of tuition to our Summer at LACM program, along with four individual private lessons through our LAMA Community Program. This experience will stay with all of us for a long time.”
“Helping unlock the power of music for young people is core to who we are,” said Jeff Ostermann, chief people and culture officer at Sweetwater. “And bringing music to so many students who were impacted by the fires makes this event even more special and inspiring for us.”
Throughout the day, 200 new guitars were given to students. They also received hands-on lessons from LACM faculty and pro touring musicians as well as received mentorship experiences focused on confidence, creativity and musical curiosity.
