There’s now a way for some of Malibu High School’s most talented singers, songwriters and musicians to connect and collaborate together, and express themselves musically in front of an appreciative live audience. The Malibu Youth Group, newly formed about three weeks ago, gave its first live performance last Saturday for “Malibu Music Night.”
Devon Meyers, a longtime Malibu resident and father of an MHS sophomore (and photographer for The Malibu Times), came up with the idea for the Malibu Youth Group.
“I’m a singer and songwriter myself,” he said in an interview, “and I never quite fit into band or orchestra, so I wanted to create this place where kids could practice their craft in a safe place. It’s an environment where they could work on their music and then be able to hear themselves perform live and gain confidence.
“Too many talented kids just weren’t getting involved,” Meyers continued, indicating that a number of talented students at MHS play instruments, sing and/or write songs at home by themselves, with no real way of connecting with other students with the same interests.
Meyers first presented his idea to the Arts Angels committee of teachers and parents at MHS, who help distribute money to arts programs from The Shark Fund and other events. They loved Meyers’ idea, and decided to open the group to all interested Malibu Middle and High school arts students free of charge.
Daphne Aneet, a committee member, said she is enthusiastic about the Malibu Youth Group, and confident it will continue to grow in numbers. Her daughter, Claire, is one of the aspiring singer/songwriter/musicians who have already joined. “In a few more months, I’m sure it will evolve from the mostly individual performances we’re seeing here tonight at Malibu Music Night, to more of the students jamming together and collaborating,” she said.
“Devon came to our third meeting of the Arts Angels this year and proposed his idea. The parents had been seeking some means of getting their kids together who had been playing and singing at home alone,” she added, and the group came together very quickly.
Meyers had already connected with Rev. Sandy Liddell at the Malibu United Methodist Church (MUMC) by performing at the Wednesday night homeless dinners, so when he asked about using church facilities for the Malibu Youth Group, she agreed.
Interested students meet on Mondays after school from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Mayhugh Community Room next to the Malibu Methodist parking lot, and can bring their own instruments. Photography and art students are also welcome.
“They can write, play music together and hang out in a good spot,” Meyers, said, “where I can steer them lightly to prepare for these shows.”
“These are some super-talented kids,” he added. “I just wanted a creative environment for them to grow and get used to playing live. I wanted to create a place for kids in music and it’s a powerful thing. “
Last Saturday’s very first live performance—Malibu Music Night—was held in the main church, which proved to be a good music venue—intimate, with a stage up front and a great sound system. A surprising number of students were in the audience, considering the event hadn’t been advertised. They applauded enthusiastically after every song.
Malibu Music Night concerts featuring performances from group members as well as local adult artists will be held at the Methodist church on the third Saturday of the month for the next three months (the end of the school year), with the next one scheduled for Feb. 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, contact Devon Meyers at devonmeyersproject@gmail.com.
