Student of the Month: March 2025 Edition

Feb 24

Sometimes, the sentiment “too much of a good thing” does not apply. This month, I am excited to share two Rock 101 students who have many good things in common: curiosity, a love of reading, and a dedication to musical adventures. Read on!

Olivia Cover

Allow me to introduce you to Olivia Cover, a 10-year-old student who has a curiosity for all things music! Olivia has previously played clarinet in the school band; this year, she is learning saxophone for her school band and is taking guitar lessons with Wren. When she contemplates the future, she thinks it would be fun to learn piano or maybe even violin. The possibilities are endless!

This laidback Lego-lover enjoys drawing landscapes and reading fantasy books. (She’s about to start the 4th Harry Potter book - no spoilers, please!) As for the guitar, she loves the way it sounds. She thinks it is fun that the guitar can be used in multiple genres of music, making it an unlimited instrument. Olivia has found that playing guitar makes her feel calm. If she were to describe the instrument in three words, they would be fun, exciting, and relaxing.

Wren has enjoyed being Olivia’s teacher. They are inspired by Olivia’s hard work and the joy she displays for the instrument. Says Wren: “Olivia works really hard to learn the guitar. She's already learned so much about playing chords as well as TAB, and the further we go into technique and theory, the more she digs in. I can tell she enjoys playing guitar!”

Keep going, Olivia! As Dumbledore said in Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone, “Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here!”

Jill London

Sit down and grab a mug of tea. I have a great story for you. Several years ago, our very own Marshall Broyles left New Mexico and ventured to Connecticut. Many adventures and fun ensued, including meeting Jill London, who became his bass guitar student while he taught for Neighborhood Music School. As we know, Marshall navigated his way home to Albuquerque, but not before cementing his relationship with Jill. They have continued their Zoom bass lessons over the years. At this point, Jill has been taking bass guitar lessons with Marshall for 5 years.

Jill, a retired neuroscientist, enjoys music because of the feelings it can evoke. The first song she learned on bass was “My Girl,” and the rhythm immediately hooked her. For Jill, music is an elemental human quality. There is no culture that does not have a form of music. It is a basic form of communication and a medium that brings people joy. To summarize, Music Is Life.

When Jill is not immersed in bass guitar, you will find her helping her local community. Jill works with adult literacy programs, teaching adults how to read. She also enjoys cooking for those in need and helping in the community however she is able. In quiet moments, she loves to read a good book and to spend time with her coon hound Gabby (who also loves bass guitar).

Jill absolutely LOVES her lessons with Marshall. Above all else, she is emphatic about how much FUN they have. She enjoys having deep discussions about musical elements and considers Marshall to be her guru on this musical journey. From Marshall’s perspective, he loves Jill’s curiosity and determination. Says Marshall: “Jill has a tenacity for the bass, often dedicating countless hours to practicing. Her musicality has grown tremendously over the years, and I couldn't be more proud. She is a steward of the instrument's history and approaches it with respect and passion. Being a guide for her journey through music has been a great pleasure in my life. I can safely say she is my favorite student (though she happens to be my only one).”

Let’s hear it for lasting friendships, musical adventures, and lifelong curiosity!