musicians and travel to more locations around the Valley. Epstein’s young audiences are made up of all levels of disability: high school, middle school and elementary students who are in wheelchairs, nonverbal or autistic kids and more. He’s played at their homecoming and graduation parties. And when school’s out, he even plays music for kids in their homes. “When I first started performing for kids, I had no idea what to expect,” Epstein said. “I played stuff I knew: Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, the Beatles. I figured music was music, even if the kids weren’t familiar with it. One day, I was playing ‘Yellow Submarine’ and a little girl sitting at my feet began signing. I don’t know sign language and asked the teacher what she was saying. It was the sign for yellow!” he chuckled. “It was the first time she ever communicated with me. My next visit, she wanted to sit on my lap while I played. Now I’ve expanded my repertoire to include kids’ songs and more modern music.” Including Lady Gaga. One of Epstein’s young fans, Jocelyn, was born missing a part of her brain. But that didn’t dim her appreciation for good Through Six Strings Acoustic, Stuart Epstein is bringing consistent live music performances for special-needs children to Arizona’s public and private schools. 38 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | AUGUST 2019

music. One day, she asked him to play “Shallow,” Gaga’s Oscar-winning song from the most recent version of “A Star Is Born.” Epstein didn’t know it, but learned it. The next time he visited Jocelyn’s school, she belted it out with him. And then she sang it in front of the entire school at an assembly. In fact, Epstein encourages his young audiences to get involved in whatever ways they want. He lets them sing at the mic or strum the guitar. The organization’s mission — as well as Epstein’s — is to bring live music into the lives of people who can’t get out to hear it. Six Strings Acoustic has “roadies” at the schools too. “Kids from other classes come in to help me set up and break down,” Epstein said. “It gives them a chance to experience the good feeling of helping others.” Epstein still makes room in his schedule for the seniors who were the original beneficiaries of his talents. “For six months, a guy in his mid-90s would be in a recliner in front of me. He was always wrapped up in a blanket, and never spoke or opened his eyes. I figured he was sleeping,” Epstein said. “One day I said, ‘This next song is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.’ Suddenly the sleeping guy pops up and says, ‘That’s in Cleveland and that’s where I’m from!’ He had been listening all along!” Clearly, the tunes that flow from Stuart’s fingers have tremendous healing power. He may be just a “guy with a guitar,” but to dozens of people who would never otherwise hear live music, he’s the Pied Piper of pure joy. To learn more, visit sixstringsacoustic.org . Judy Pearson CONTRIBUTING WRITER info@A2ndAct.org A 2ND ACT CONTINUED