The sound of guitar strings pressed against the fretboard fills the bandroom as students experiment with chords, rhythms, and stage presence. At Mater Dei, guitar class is beyond an elective, it is where music becomes a language of self-expression. Whether beginners or seasoned musicians, many students say the program teaches them not only how to play, but how to perform and trust their own abilities.

For many students, picking up an instrument for the first time can feel intimidating. Inside the guitar classroom, that hesitation transitions into discovery, especially with the support and encouragement given. Junior Phoenix Nelson never expected to return to guitar after a rocky start in middle school.

“I absolutely hated it, and I vowed to never play guitar ever in my life,” Nelson said. “Every time I would go in, I would break the guitar strings.”

It wasn’t until a friend encouraged him to give the class another chance that his perspective changed. Now, he finds inspiration in the emotional depth of music, especially from Japanese bands such as Buck-Tick and Malice Mizer. 

“What inspires me most is the emotion in the songs,” Nelson said. “Even if it’s not technically perfect, it’s something emotional that you can grasp onto.”

That emotional connection with the instrument is what sets the guitar class apart from other academic classes, where grades and deadlines are prioritized over self-expression. Nelson describes the program as a space where he cannot only see himself mastering the musical piece technically but also creatively and individualistically. 

“When you mess up, you mess up,” Nelson said. “If you just roll with the punches, people will roll with them too.”

This mindset reflects the culture of the class, where improvement and expression matter more than perfection. Junior Jimena Contreras feels that the environment has encouraged her to take risks both musically and personally.

“I would say my guitar class feels more like a community and family,” Contreras said. “I’m able to freely express myself with no fear of judgment.”

Support from peers is only one part of that experience, being a performer is another. Instrumental Music Teacher Kenneth Parker reinforces it through a teaching style that values stage presence just as much as technical accuracy.

“One thing he’s really nailed in is that anyone can be technically good, but what sets you apart is being a performer,” Nelson said.

For junior Cole Tran, that lesson reshaped how he approaches music. He began playing guitar in high school with no prior experience, inspired by bands like Green Day and Black Sabbath, and has since grown not only as a guitarist but also as a performer. Tran said he enjoys adding personality to his performances rather than focusing solely on technical accuracy.

“One skill I’m proud of mastering this year is incorporating myself more into my performances; more than just playing guitar, like performing as an actor,” Tran said. “That’s what musicians are.”

Beyond guitar, Parker encourages students to explore their musical talents across instruments, including drums, keyboards, and vocals. Some turn to music as a creative outlet, while others use it to relieve stress or discover new interests. For Nelson, the class sparked a new creative pursuit: producing his own music.

“It’s given me the confidence to start making my own music,” Nelson said. “If I’d never joined, I don’t think I would have started.”

More than chords, the greatest lesson guitar class offers is learning to believe in one’s own growth. Through music, confidence becomes more than a skill, it becomes a mindset that extends beyond the classroom.

“Don’t trap yourself in your own prejudices about yourself,” Nelson said. “Maybe you can’t do it yet, but then you learn to do it. That’s the whole point.”