Inuvik - The Music Room at Samuel Hearne secondary school is boomin' after school these days with the sounds of various instruments.

A new school year means a new opportunity for students to learn from experienced musicians.

The music room at Samuel Hearne is loud again as young musicians practice their craft with the help of experienced guitarists and volunteers. Here, from left, Brandon Larocque, Brendan Callahan and Quentin McLeod jam a bit. - photo courtesy of Matthew Dyck

And the music room is again open to youth after school hours.

Mucisians Derrick Thrasher and Crystal Saunders began their first day teaching others earlier this week, instructing students on how to play guitar, bass, drums and piano.

Thrasher has been playing guitar for about five years now. A friend taught him how to read guitar tabs while he was living in Fort Smith.

Thrasher also stated that he was heavily influenced by the band 'Slayer'.

He began listening to the thrash-metal band in Grade 9.

Thrasher said he wants to teach others the art he loves.

"First off, I love music and I see so much potential in people around me," he said.

He believes that if that interest is piqued, learning how to play certain instruments can be achieved.

"I also want experience teaching since I'm hoping to do it full-time in the near future," added Thrasher.

Thrasher knows that encouraging all aspects of playing guitar is important.

He plans to bring the game Guitar Hero 2 in and hold friendly competitions between players.

Saunders, a Grade 12 student of Samuel Hearne, is acting as assistant to Thrasher, helping people who are struggling with the lessons.

Saunders is no stranger to the music room.

She has been playing guitar for about six years and has been playing piano since she was in Grade 4.

"Playing the piano became my favourite pastime," said Saunders.

Inspired by various bands, she then started to play the guitar, and, like Thrasher, she taught herself concentrating on her favourite types of music and learning tabs from her favourite songs.

Curious about how it felt to perform live, Saunders has worked to better herself so that one day she can be up on stage in front of hundreds, maybe thousands, of people.

Saunders said she enjoys the experience with Thrasher because it helps others.

"I love the idea of being an assistant because I enjoy helping others," she said.

She said sees the talent in others and feels with a little encouragement that they too could have the experience that she has been striving for.

"Being an assistant doesn't bother me" she explains. "We both have different techniques and it's best for people to learn multiple ways and see which they find easier."

She tells of how playing guitar, or any other instrument, helps develop patience, understanding and co-ordination.

Saunders hopes to see some more people take their skills to the next talent show and would like to have people playing at the future coffee houses.

When asked for one piece of advice, she smiled and said, "Have patience young grasshopper."