Students teach other students guitar

About the time the last bus pulls away from Sisters Middle School, loaded with kids going home, music begins to flow - sometimes haltingly - from the art classrooms. It's the Americana Project in action.

Megan Ellsworth, sophomore, and junior Madison Slicker are teaching 11 fifth- and sixth-graders guitar after school.

After being at it for only a short time, Ellsworth said, "I feel this (Americana Project) class has been going so well. All the kids are very talented and I am so proud of them all. It's such an open and free space for them to express themselves, and I love hearing their beautiful songs and creative, youthful

ideas."

Fifth-grader Mary Root said, "I love this class, it's the best class I have ever taken. We do games like musical chairs, and the song game. We do quizzing of the day before, and then we do share time and share songs. That is super-duper fun! Megan and Slick are really fun, they are the best teachers I have ever had!"

The Americana Project is the educational outreach program of Sisters Folk Festival.

Megan has high hopes for her students.

"One of my goals for the Americana club (is) for the kids to come out of this class singer/songwriters," she said. "I hope that their guitar skills are like riding a bike and will always be there for them to express their emotions. (What) I really want for these kids is for them to always have music as an outlet to use throughout their

lives."

Sixth-grader Allison Mansfield was virtually glowing when she said: "I love the Americana club. Megan and Madison are really cool and funny! I came in knowing a little and I will come out a guitar genius. They teach us so much and we have so much fun. When I walk into class with my guitar, I'm ready to learn and laugh."