Vince Le is just as passionate about learning as he is about music.

A teacher at Gilbert South High School, a continuation high school in Anaheim, Le works with young people who struggle to stay motivated in school. Le, founder of The Childrens Unlimited Talent (CUT) Studios, motivates students through music. The nonprofit academic rewards program utilizes a mobile multimedia approach by reaching at-risk youth while encouraging them to make the grades, make the cut. The CUT Studios has been a true grassroots endeavor for Le and his team of enthusiastic volunteers. We never really went hard hitting for funding, were just trying to get results, Le says. The program is mostly funded by Le and through fundraisers. Most of the equipment used in the program, such as laptops, MIDI keyboards and USB microphones are Les and the volunteers own. Adam Steel, who owns a film production company, shares Les vision of reaching troubled teens through music and may bring the nonprofit the exposure and funding they need. Steele is a volunteer for Stand Up For Kids, a large nonprofit that helps homeless and street kids. Steel is set to begin working with The CUT Studios in September to film a sizzle reel for a television show. The premise of the reality-based show, which they hope will get picked up by a network like MTV, will focus on implementing and documenting the academic rewards program among orphans. The CUT Studios hopes to reach out to kids ignored by society by trading music lessons for improved behavior and good grades. Students with behavior problems, low attendance, and academic challenges are all candidates for the program but only those who show commitment are accepted. The CUT

works with school counselors and administrators who are familiar with the students issues in order to determine the behavior they expect to improve. Students that love music but hate school and are interested in the program are typically the type of student who can benefit from the program. Students are required to write an essay on how they will change their behavior, why they love music so much, why they are struggling in school, and what they will change in order to do better in school. After a three-month period, the students behavior and or grades are examined. If they show significant improvement, they are allowed to continue with the program. The CUT program ensures that every student is progressing on a weekly basis and rewards those that show improvement with more studio time with music professionals like music director, Mark Daniels. Daniels has a dynamic career and background in music. A national account manager for Samsung Mobile, Daniels also works for Universal Music Group producing, co-producing, and writing songs for major artists like Dallas Austin, LL Cool J, and Akon. His background in music began as a young child. His father is a professional blues singer and his mother was a dancer who appeared on shows like Soul Train and Solid Gold. Daniels says, Ive always been raised on music Its always been a passion of mine. Daniels takes his real-world experience and know-how and applies it to The CUT. Daniels says The CUT gives students hands-on experience with, the most popular programs being used in major studios today. With the training and tools at their fingertips, Daniels says students, can do what they are passionate about doing. The access Daniels has to major studios gives students and potentially, viewers, first hands look into the world

of music. This is a lot of kids dreams and theres no reality TV show that gives you a look inside these places. So, its like a dream come true for these kids who are producing in a bedroom and want to know what that feels like and looks like. Daniels expressed his understanding of the plight of underprivileged children and said, These kids are in a vulnerable state. If theyre acting out, its a cry for help. They dont know how to communicate it. Oftentimes young people who struggle in school have a hard time getting along with their parents. Unmet expectations can create rifts in families, as was the case for Cynthia Eleazar. Eleazar, who plays guitar and is a singer/song-writer, only wanted to concern herself with music before she became an important part of The CUT program. Her family was frustrated with her performance in school. Eleazar got involved in The CUT, and graduated from Gilbert South this past year with a 3.59 GPA, an improvement from the 2.7 GPA she had before entering the program. The success has been two-fold: Eleazars parents are happy with her improved focus while she was able to find a place to record her music. Ced Vu, who participated in The CUTs DJ program, may not have had the worst GPA when he came to Le for help in geometry and science. His 3.4 GPA improved to 4.0 after five months of tutoring and hard work. Because of his grade improvements, Vu was one of a couple students from The CUT who got to DJ for the Hope Schools prom. Vu, along with fellow student Sergio Ormachea from The CUT, put together a three-hour DJ set, mixing hip-hop, pop, electro and country for the special education students that attend Hope. The skills students acquire through the DJ program provide them with a trade to add

to their resumes. Many of the students have set high goals for themselves like Vu, who said he eventually wants to go to medical school, or get a degree in business. Ormachea, who is going into his junior year of high school, has already deejayed for family parties and weddings. The volunteers for The CUT serve as role models and mentors. They stress the importance of education while teaching students the importance of self-sufficiency. Le says, We believe in self-sufficiency. Become a good citizen and contribute to society instead of just living off society. Thats why we stress the importance of education. Education isnt the universal cure-all but its a great foundation to have in terms of being independent in life as an adult. Values such as self-sufficiency that the program instills in young people make the program beneficial not only to those involved, but to society as a whole. With the near obliteration of funding for the arts in schools, students without access to modern technology will be a step behind their more fortunate peers. Programs and people like Le, who colleague Daniels describes as somebody that is genuinely passionate about this program, need the exposure something like a reality TV show could provide. If the TV show doesnt get picked up by a network, hopefully Le and his friends at The CUT will take the advice Sergio said he would give to other students struggling to stay on track and, Just keep on trying.