From Video Games to Rock Stars

January 24, 2025

story

From Video Games to Rock Stars

 

Kaden walked into the Hillyard YFC Center with his friends, ready for an evening of Valorant—a popular game among high school students and internet streamers. He greeted the staff and volunteers with a friendly smile but quickly settled to play with his friends. Kaden immersed himself in the game for about an hour, displaying interests that seemed perfectly normal for a kid his age.

Over the next few months, Kaden continued to visit the center regularly. One day, I invited him into our music studio to learn more about his interests. When I asked him what kind of music he enjoyed, he enthusiastically listed Metallica, Pantera, Black Sabbath, Nirvana, and Foo Fighters—anything with heavy distortion and a driving beat. I shared some chord charts and taught him the basics of a simple song he liked. Kaden was excited and mentioned that his brother might lend him an extra guitar.

Kaden spent about an hour in the music studio each week, learning new chords and techniques. After a month, he had grasped the fundamentals, and it was encouraging to see his progress. As the school year ended, Kaden took on a summer job, and we didn’t see him for about three months.

When the new school year began, Kaden returned to the center. After playing Valorant for a short while, he headed to the music studio. I was downstairs in the kitchen, helping feed some of the youth, when I heard someone shredding on a guitar. Curious, I went upstairs and was utterly blown away to find Kaden effortlessly playing complex riffs and solos. His progress was nothing short of astonishing.

“Bro, that’s amazing! How did you learn to do that? Did you take lessons over the summer?” I asked.

“No,” Kaden replied. “I was just bored and spent 3 or 4 hours every day practicing on the guitar my brother gave me.”

In just three months, Kaden had transformed from barely knowing three chords to becoming a skilled guitarist, surpassing even those who had been playing for years. It was incredible to see how teaching him some basic chords and scales sparked his passion for music.

A few days later, some of us were jamming in the studio. Isaiah kept a steady beat on the electric drum set while Kaden experimented with the guitar. I picked up a bass and started guiding the group. “Isaiah, keep a steady beat. Kaden, let’s play these four chords in this order.” Jackson joined with another guitar, and I laid down a simple bass line. Within seconds, we found our groove and spent the next 20 minutes taking turns with lead lines, improvising, and having an absolute blast. It was one of the most rewarding moments I’ve ever experienced—watching Kaden grow from a beginner to a confident musician and enjoying a spontaneous jam session together, filled with joy and a sense of shared accomplishment.

Our center provides a nurturing atmosphere with fun, accessible activities that encourage young people like Kaden to explore their interests. By being available and offering opportunities to engage, we helped Kaden discover his musical talent and passion. The role of our centers in youth development cannot be overstated.

Kaden’s journey from playing video games to becoming a phenomenal guitarist is a testament to the impact that community centers and dedicated volunteers can have. You, too, can make a similar difference in someone’s life. Get involved with Youth for Christ and help unlock the potential in the youth around you. Together, we can create more success stories like Kaden’s.

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