Toronto Guitar School is proud to have been chosen to deliver a special guitar course for members and veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces in Ontario through the Force’s “Soldier On” program. Course participants are learning to play guitar with the help of Toronto Guitar School instructor Sol Younan, who lives with Cerebral Palsy, has done wide-ranging research and is an advocate of accessibility in Music Education through work with the Easter Seals and the MukiBaum Foundation. Sol also holds an A.R.C.T Diploma in Guitar Pedagogy from the Royal Conservatory of Music, where he studied with one of Canada’s leading guitarists and composers, William Beauvais.
Mark Ritter, who has both an ARCT in Classical Guitar Performance and a B.A. in Guitar Performance from Humber College, bringing a wealth of experience in helping guitar students manage postural and other physical issues, will also be delivering lessons through this program. Mark’s focus is to make lessons fun and engaging through a personalized approach that factors in each students’ goals and musical interests. The objective of the guitar course is to give the members and veterans the opportunity to enrich their lives through focused engagement in music learning, which can have short and long-term therapeutic benefits. The following is from the Soldier On website:
“Soldier On is a program of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) which contributes to the recovery of ill and injured CAF members and veterans by providing opportunities and resources through sport, recreational, and creative activities. Soldier On is recognized for improving the quality of life of the ill and injured and is a highly visible and integral component of the Department of National Defence, and the CAF’s commitment to the care of ill and injured members. Generous Canadians support the program through donations and fundraising to the Soldier On Fund, which is managed by Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services.
Since 2007, Soldier On has supported over 8800 ill and injured members using sport and physical recreational activities to enable social support, build confidence in their abilities and realize their full potential. Soldier On provides members with a safe environment to challenge themselves and become inspired in ways that they may not have thought possible, contributing to and providing a gateway to enhance ones’ well-being. This re-introduction to an active lifestyle provides opportunities to develop new skills, build confidence and meet peers with similar challenges.
Many ill/injured members credit Soldier On with helping in their recovery, overcoming their challenges, opening doors to other life opportunities, and assisting in their transition to civilian life.”
Soldier On video:
If you would like to learn more about, or support the Soldier On program, please visit their website at www.soldieron.ca
Soldier On social media channels:
