I am actually writing my installment of "Tales from the Road" from the road. In fact, the events described in this tale have just taken place at the Loysville Youth Development Center (LYDC), located in the lush, green, rolling hills of Pennsylvania just west of Harrisburg, the state capitol. This multi-acre facility is a temporary home for adjudicated boys ages 12-18 and falls under the umbrella of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. I say "temporary" because these young people are being given the tools to make a successful transition back into their communities. Although I usually do not see them in subsequent years, the lessons learned at the LYDC may be just the catalyst to make that reentry back into their communities a positive, rewarding experience.

As a guitarist, thanks to the Perry County Council on the Arts (PCCA) directed by Joan Williamson, I serve as an artist in residence (AIR) at LYDC. I have also been privileged to serve the West Perry School District, as the school on the premises falls under their jurisdiction. Both of these entities are responsible in their own way for the success I have had over the years at the LYDC. The PCCA writes the State grants that enable me to actually do the residency and the West Perry School District purchased guitars for use both during and after our time together.

There are many ingredients that contribute to the success of this type of facility. Brian Jones, the acting director, has drafted a competent and dedicated team in the areas of security, dietary needs, administration, cottage staff, and buildings and grounds. In my many years of doing residencies at the LYDC, I have observed this team working together, each in its own way, to insure that these young people are properly cared for and directed. They do their jobs with competence and compassion and I am proud to know them.

Most of my contact as an AIR is with the teachers and students. It is with them that I spend my days and the State's grant money. Clyde Caldwell is the positive, pro-active principal of the school on the campus of the LYDC. He as well as the teachers working with him have the welfare of the boys in mind as their top priority. Every step taken by Mr. Caldwell and the educational professionals working with him-from getting here early to staying well past the last bell and everything in between- has some benefit for the boys at its core.

I am proud to call these people my friends and associates as they have graciously taken me into their hearts. Not only are these teachers experts in their disciplines, but they also excel as surrogate parents for the boys during their stay. I have often witnessed firsthand the firm, fair and friendly surrogate parenting provided by the school and staff. With people like these in their corner, it is no surprise that many of the boys go on to reach an unprecedented level of achievement.

My main focus here is the boys. The common misconception of adjudicated youths is that they are of lesser academic quality than others of their age group. Folks, I am here to tell you that this is patently untrue! I have discovered a level of intelligence among these boys which if correctly harnessed, has the potential of bringing great good to the society that sent them here. That is the purpose of this entire complex, the harnessing and directing of the great potential these young men possess and helping them to see that potential.

This is where I come in. Once again, I am indebted to Mel Bay Publications. I have never photocopied any of Mel Bay's materials, but I've been well schooled in the art of guitar pedagogy thanks to the Mel Bay instructional materials I have used over the years. The only thing a Mel Bay book won't do is practice for you.

The boys, most of whom had never touched a guitar prior to my arrival, were up and running within two hours of instruction. You would be amazed to hear what these boys have done, even in this one week! No one group had more than three hours of class instruction, yet by the end of the week, those who chose to apply themselves were playing a simplified version of a Bulerias complete with falsettas and rasqueados! There were no Ramon Montoyas or Diego del Gastors here, but let me hasten to add the word yet.

How does one get results like these from a group of boys who have never held a guitar? Really, it is mostly through their hard work and dedication. My job as the artist in residence is to lay down the challenge. I believe that the students can sense when someone is real and when they are acting in a contrived manner. I am not a "touchy feely", free-floating type of guitar instructor, but rather a disciplined musician. It would be false to my art form and to myself to portray musicianship in general as one step beyond "Romper Room with Strings". It is my business to challenge the boys at Loysville to succeed as well as to inspire them.

These are sharp, tough boys who have gifts none of them yet realize. Without inspiration or challenge to begin with and eventually self-imposed, those gifts would lie dormant. As a guitar instructor, it is my calling to help awaken those gifts to whatever degree is possible. I have often told the boys that when it comes to learning something good, that "I don't care how long it takes, how stupid I look, who likes me for it or who doesn't; if it is worth learning I am going to learn it, case closed! " Somehow they respond, not all mind you, but enough to cause me to drop to my knees in gratitude for the gifts they and I have been given.

So why the funky title to this piece? Some people in our society have written these boys off. "Adjudication" of any kind, in the current technology-based culture of "gotcha!" is tantamount to Hawthorne's scarlet letter. These boys are not educational chattel to be babysat until they are old enough to work at MacDonald's flipping burgers for minimum wage. They are smart, gifted and underneath the varied facades, just boys who are ready, willing and able to accept a challenge.

My purpose here is not only to make them feel good, nor is it psychological in nature. I am not a musical version of a motivational speaker whose mission is to build "self esteem". There is no need for that. The guitaristic accomplishments of these boys, in the short time I am here take care of any esteem issues. If you will, the boys and the gifts that they possess are the gold here in these rolling, lush, green hills. The trick is to have the vision to see and hear it.

I am always sorry to leave the LYDC as I must do at first light tomorrow. If any Loysville boys read this little ditty about our time together, I hope you realize that you are among our brightest hopes for the future! You all have many gifts that can be used to make the world a better place. Who knows but that some of you may argue a case before the Supreme Court, find a cure for a previously incurable disease, write a symphony or novel or play, enter the classroom to bring knowledge to the minds of the willing, or have your own construction or mechanical business where you can reap the benefits of the value you will bring to society? The future is yours and is up to you. Everyone at the Loysville Youth Development Center, teachers and staff alike, are in your corner and rooting for you. So am I.

Alfonse Ciaccio

About the Author

Alfonse Ciaccio has had a love affair with the guitar since the age of 8, the result being a lifelong pursuit of perfection of his craft. He studied the classic guitar with Mrs. Mary Anthony, famed protégé' of the Spanish master Narciso Yepes, and with Dr. Matthew Slotkin of Mansfield University and the Eastman School of Music. With an emphasis on solo jazz guitar arranging and performing, Ciaccio studied for years with the legendary Gene Bertoncini of New York City and Steve Brown of Ithaca College.

His first solo CD project Pieces of My Heart was released in 2004.

"...after hearing a performance of Alfonse Ciaccio, you will know what love of the guitar is..."
- Gene Bertoncini

"Definitely someone to seek out and listen to..."
- Joe Negri