JUNE 2018: Featured Artist

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Singer-Songwriter, Musician & Philanthropist:
Scott Weber
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KEYS Website

Scott Weber is president of Med-IQ, an accredited global medical education company that he co-founded in 2007 and sold in 2016. Scott’s 30-year career trajectory includes start-ups, acquisitions and the sale of four companies. Scott is recognized as a leader in the medical education industry having won multiple awards for his organization’s efforts to improve healthcare.

He is a self-taught guitarist and singer-songwriter who has been playing guitar since he was eight years old. He has two CDs to his credit with his philanthropic project Acoustic Wilton which showcased both adult and student artists raising money for local causes. He is founder of the Jacqueline Ruth Weber Gift of Music Fund which supports KEYS (Kids Empowered by Your Support).

Scott plays with the band Open Road, which performs regularly for public and private events in Connecticut. He says, "I have never considered myself a solo performer, but I am receiving lots of encouragement to do my own thing with my music, along with Open Road and my philanthropy work.

I have to first get the courage to be a solo performer. It's a lot easier when you play with really talented people who always have your back during a performance. The idea of standing alone with my guitar and a microphone makes my stomach hurt, but it is part of my next chapter and my reinvention."

Scott's music is heavily influenced by Michael Hedges, Indigo Girls, Marvin Gaye and Little Feat. Scott plays Taylor, Breedlove and Collings guitars.

Scott composed the music for Sanctuary's Anniversary Video Montage.

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Scott on the Jacqueline Ruth Weber Gift of Music Fund:
 
While growing up, my mom made certain that music was a part of my life. Our house, car and barn were always filled with country, gospel, soul and rock music. She handed me a ukulele when I was five, and that changed everything. I have played the guitar since I was a kid, and it has become an extension of me and who I am. Before my mom passed, she encouraged me to do something meaningful with my music, and the idea of helping young people find their music – the way she helped me – became my path.
 
Our Acoustic Wilton project put the spotlight on dozens of amazing young singer-songwriters and musicians who blossom by participating in this program. The idea that, through their music, they are able to raise money for the local causes and organizations, underscores the power of music and how it creates community.

This journey led me to Rob Silvan and KEYS. We discussed the idea of funding guitar lessons for students in Bridgeport, CT, and I was able to raise enough money to provide lessons for over 30 students this year with hopes of continued funding in the future.

KEYS students during their Saturday morning lessons
at the Klein Auditorium in Bridgeport, CT.

More about KEYS:

Kids Empowered by Your Support (KEYS) has received over $16,000 in funding from the Jacqueline Ruth Weber Gift of Music Fund to support the organization’s guitar and ukulele program. KEYS' mission is to bring both private and group instrumental lessons to underserved, inner-city children in Bridgeport, CT who have no other access to this empowering life experience.

“We are very grateful for the generosity and commitment of the Jacqueline Ruth Weber Gift of Music Fund,” said KEYS Executive Director, Rob Silvan. “We are serving 650 students a year in 21 Bridgeport schools, and it costs $600 a year to teach a student how to play an instrument. We so appreciate this financial support, which will help increase the number of guitar students we can serve.”

KEYS currently provides guitar and ukulele lessons for 31 students in grades 3-12 with additional students to be added to the program this spring - five new guitars are now part of this program.

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For more information about KEYS, click the link below:

Keys Website