Students start music-based nonprofit organization

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The last day of finals, some BYU students were excited to finally have time to hit the slopes. Others had their sights set on greener and warmer pastures. Most, though, were just happy to be out of class and grateful for a little time to relax and spend time with their families.

For Springville natives Zac Jensen and Holly Jensen, R-and-R were far from thought. During their break, the Jensons started their own charitable organization, Lean On Music. As the name suggests, the organization uses music to support the community and benefit others.

Zac, a junior studying physics at BYU, said the idea came to him as he was helping his sister apply to music schools when he saw many schools expect applicants to use music in their community.

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Zac and Holly Jensen started a nonprofit organization called Lean on Music which raises money, through music, for other local nonprofit organizations, such as Family Support and Treatment Center.
“It got me thinking that it can be a powerful tool,” he said. “Everybody loves music. Everybody can relate to music in some way.”

Holly, a graduate of BYU, said the couple has always had an interest in music but found it difficult to form their own performing groups. They started Lean On Music out of a desire to do good in the community, and this gave them just the nudge they needed.

“We wanted to be involved with performing and artists but we also wanted to figure out some way to do good in our community and be a part of our community, so we combined the two and started Lean On Music,” she said.

For both Jensens, Lean On Music is a private undertaking they guide in their spare time. Zac is still a full-time student and Holly works as a recreational therapist and part-time piano teacher. The couple said seeking out organizations and causes to benefit has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

In their first undertaking, Lean On Music hosted a benefit concert for the Utah Valley Family Support & Treatment Center, a local nonprofit organization that provides a variety of services to families in crisis situations. The concert took place Feb. 4 at the Springville library. Musicians were recruited from local high schools and local businesses sponsored the event and donated to the cause.

Cami Sumsion, a junior at Springville High School, was one of several students recruited to help with the benefit concert. Not only did Sumsion sell tickets and help recruit artists, but she performed as well. The pianist/guitarist/singer said she appreciated the experience because she was able to serve with a song.

“It was really cool to do something that I love and be able to benefit other people,” Sumsion said.

Candice Bahm, abuse prevention specialist with the Family Support & Treatment Center, said she appreciates that Lean on Music reached out to her and used its talents to meet the organization’s needs.

“Volunteers and donations are two of the biggest things we need at the agency,” Bahm said. “When people gather together and you’ve got good music it really touches people’s hearts.”

Bahm said she was impressed by the turnout to the event and even more impressed by the generosity of donations received. Donors gave a little more than $1,100 to the cause.

“We made twice the amount we thought [we would],” Bahm said.

Bahm said the money will be used to help cover the costs of therapy for those who have been abused and the costs of the center’s 24-hour crisis nursery.

The Jensens have high hopes for their budding charity organization. They’re currently working on a benefit concert involving BYU and UVU student musicians this spring. They’re also planning a concert for the Ride Against Child Abuse to take place in August. According to Zac Jensen, concerts are only the first step.

“I think benefit concerts are just one tangent of Lean on Music,”  he said, adding that the organization has plans for a children’s music camp. The camp will help children learn to play instruments and help provide instruments for children and schools that can’t afford them.

To find out how to get involved with Lean On Music visit www.leanonmusic.org or email them at .

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