Swampscott Raised Musician Will Play for Group Home

Music made all the difference for Michael Feingold of Swampscott.

Today he will share that message with kids enrolled in the Plummer Home Music Program. The program, at the Plummer Home for Boys in Salem, teaches at-risk youth to read, write, play and record music.

Michael, who graduated from Swampscott High School in 1999, now lives in Los Angeles, CA, working as a professional musician.

The guitarist has performed worldwide with musicians including Queen Latifa, The Roots, Kanye West, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Erykah Badu. Recently he was a guitarist and co-arranger with Jay-Z at Carnegie Hall.

But before the big-time concerts, before his move to LA, before he attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, he was a Swampscott 12-year-old who was feeling lots of angst.

As a teenager he had problems with drugs, and got help through counseling and rehab.

But a life-changing time for him was when he started playing guitar at 12 years old. It was a Yamaha electric.

Playing was an emotional release, and music became his focus, an all-encompassing focus.

He hadn't expected music to become a career but it did.

Today he wants young people to know about the power of music.

"I hope I can inspire these kids to get through their struggles," he said.

He will play for 10 to 20 kids in a private session, jam with them and answer their questions.

Aaron Z. Katz, a member of The Dejas, leads the Plummer Home Music Program.

He hopes Michael Feingold's visit inspires these young musicians to continue to have fun with music, to develop strong work habits, to communicate, and to deal with emotions and release aggression.

Already the members of the program have performed in public for pay, at parties and restaurants.

They have released three holiday CDs including classics and pieces they have written, composed and recorded. 

“We hope the day inspires passion, vision, goal setting and hope for our kids as well as teaches them the character traits and survival skills needed to gain the confidence one must have to achieve lasting professional and personal growth,” he said.

The Plummer Home music program started in 2007 with the donation of a used piano, and has grown into a thriving, fully-outfitted operation offering instruction in reading, writing, playing and recording music. Led by 

The Plummer Home for Boys provides adolescents innovative support and services, in a safe and nurturing environment, to build the skills and relationships necessary for successful adulthood. The Plummer Home works with at risk youth and their families. Programs range from group homes, to independent living and neighborhood services some of which are coordinated with the Salem Police Department and the Essex County Juvenile Court in Salem's lowest income neighborhood. All Plummer Home programming is based on three principles: Permanency, Preparedness and Community. For more information visit www.plummerhome.org or call 978-744-1099.