Music that changes a kid’s path.
Guitars ‘n’ Kids provides free guitars and professional instruction to youth in our community — using music to inspire creativity, build confidence, and support personal growth.
Our mission
Through structured classroom programs led by qualified instructors, we equip young people with foundational musical skills while offering a positive alternative to destructive influences. Our goal is to empower youth, strengthen communities, and create lasting change through access to music education.How the program works
Guitars ‘n’ Kids is led by passionate musicians and community volunteers who saw a need for accessible guitar instruction for young people in Contra Costa County. Each program runs as a one-hour class, held weekly for eight consecutive weeks, typically hosted in local libraries and civic facilities that offer safe, convenient learning spaces. Students are provided with acoustic guitars and all necessary equipment at no cost. We also partner with local arts organizations to create performance opportunities for students who want to keep developing their skills and share their talents with the community.Our Board of Directors
Barbara Gorin
CEO & Co-Founder A professional musician who has taught kids guitar for two decades, Barbara brings deep industry and community connections — securing facilities, equipment, teachers, and support. In 2025 she was honored with the CBS News Bay Area ICON Award for her years of community service.
Bruce Johnson
CFO & Co-Founder Bruce has worked alongside Barbara for nearly two decades as a volunteer and board member. Known as the organization’s “guitar tech,” he brings 30+ years as a California real estate broker and loan originator, lending strong financial and organizational expertise.
Marty McVeigh
Secretary & Co-Founder A former semiconductor engineer and lifelong guitarist, Marty began teaching kids in 2019 after reaching out to Barbara. He warms up the classroom with acoustic fingerstyle playing — the students love his “Jingle Bells” all year round — and plays Bay Area farmers’ markets and venues, with the tips going straight to Guitars ’n’ Kids.
Steve Kennedy
Community Outreach & Co-Founder Playing guitar since age 15, Steve built a career as a programmer, instructor, and product professional before retiring in 2018 to teach guitar full-time as a volunteer. He believes learning an instrument builds confidence, creativity, and discipline — and that nothing beats watching a student fall in love with music.
Lorraine Williams
CTO By day a technology and operations executive – Lorraine helps Guitars ’n’ Kids on the technical side, building and running the website and digital presence. She’s also a London-born vocalist and keyboard player who has released several original albums and performs with Bay Area bands including House of Floyd, Led Graffiti, The Accents, and Divalicious.Youth Fundraising Ambassador
Our students don’t stop at learning a few chords.
Some come back to help the next kid get started.
Jeremiah Ruan
Youth Fundraising Ambassador Jeremiah is an 11-year-old Youth Fundraising Ambassador for Guitars ‘n’ Kids and a former student of Guitars Not Guns in Contra Costa County. During his time in the program, he was deeply touched by the kindness, generosity, and dedication of the volunteer guitar teachers who shared their time and love of music with him. When Guitars ‘n’ Kids was later established with a similar mission, Jeremiah felt inspired to give back to the community that had given him so much. As a Youth Fundraising Ambassador, Jeremiah helps raise funds and awareness for Guitars ‘n’ Kids. He hopes his efforts will give more children throughout Contra Costa County the chance to discover music, build confidence, and experience the same encouragement that inspired him. He believes that even young people can make a meaningful difference when they lead with faith, hope, kindness, compassion, and a willingness to serve others.“Where words fail, music speaks.”
– Hans Christian Andersen