During October, Superstition Mountain Golf Course member Michael Plante donated his Yamaha FG-411 acoustic guitar to Dylan Walters, a lucky student participant of the Lead Guitar program of Apache Junction High School.

Michael started playing guitar at the age of 12 but is no longer able to play his beloved Yamaha, which is in excellent condition. So, Mike asked for SMGC member Ray Cunningham’s help in donating it to a worthy cause. Ray is Lead Guitar liaison for the Gold Canyon Arts Council and also supports its art and music education outreach program in local schools.

Ray contacted Karl Hermann, AJHS Lead Guitar teacher of record and band director, about Mike’s desire to donate the guitar to a deserving student. Karl was delighted with the news and immediately suggested giving it to Dylan.

The Gold Canyon Arts Council sponsors six concerts each season featuring diverse professional artists. The contracted artists for each concert agree to conduct workshops, masterclasses and performances in local schools in addition to their public concert, typically at five to 10 schools.

The arts council and Lead Guitar, both non-profits, co-sponsor eight such programs at elementary and secondary schools along the Old West Highway, from Apache Junction to the San Carlos Apache Reservation. They teach student participants how to read music and play the guitar throughout the entire school year. Lead Guitar is headquartered in Tucson and sponsors more than 70 such programs in five states.

Editor’s note: Chuck Cuffaro is in charge of publicity for the Gold Canyon Arts Council.