At the Santa Barbara Education Foundation, we believe music helps students unlock confidence, focus, and academic success. Just ask long-time Santa Barbara resident and SBEF donor Haydee Perez, whose son, RJ, transformed his learning journey after attending our Nick Rail Summer Band Camp. What started as a spark of interest in the saxophone grew into a life-changing passion, and a deeper connection to school, mentors, and a brighter future.
“My son, RJ, struggled academically in third grade. Despite his teachers’ best efforts, we couldn’t quite understand why numbers and words didn’t make sense to him on paper. However, everything changed when he started playing an instrument. Suddenly, things seemed to click, and his grades began to improve. By fourth grade, his academic performance had soared, and he no longer struggled as much with math and reading.
RJ’s music teacher at the time, Trey Farrell, introduced us to the Nick Rail Band Camp, a summer program provided by SBEF. I had recently lost my job and couldn’t afford the camp fees. Mr. Farrell connected us with the SBEF staff, who generously provided a scholarship. RJ thrived at the camp, eagerly looking forward to each day when he could play his saxophone as loudly as he wanted while honing his skills. He also loved meeting the teachers and hearing their stories, making the experience even more meaningful for him.
Both RJ and his younger brother Andrew found that playing an instrument became an invaluable tool to their academic success, and they continued their musical journeys through high school. To this day, RJ still plays the saxophone in college, often turning to music as a way to relieve stress.
My oldest son, Alex, didn’t have the opportunity to learn an instrument. He discovered his love for music when he entered junior high at La Colina and made friends who enjoyed playing with DJ equipment. He started to learn how to make beats, and this exposed him to the enjoyment of music and dance culture. Now an adult, Alex has a business that puts together music, art, and dance events and gives back by partnering up with a non-profit.
After seeing how much RJ benefited from attending SBEF’s summer music camps, I made a promise to pay it forward. Every year, we donate to this program to ensure that other children have the same opportunity he did. The teachers in these summer programs are truly incredible, and for students who continue their musical journey, there’s a good chance they’ll cross paths with these mentors again in high school or even at SBCC if they choose to attend college there.”
Every child deserves the chance to discover their potential—and sometimes, all it takes is the sound of a single note. Programs like the Nick Rail Summer Band Camp don’t just teach music. They grow confidence, improve academic performance, and build lasting connections with mentors and peers. These experiences are made possible by generous donors who believe in the power of music education. When you support Santa Barbara Education Foundation’s summer music camps, you’re helping students like RJ thrive in school, life, and beyond.
