We launched of our first in-person program in Los Angeles, January 2022. Powered by a generous gift from the Cameron Boyce Foundation, our inaugural team of LA-based mentors brought guitar, bass, piano, and songwriting instruction to 24 students at USC Hybrid High in Historic South Central.
Our mentors come from different walks of life and artistic paths, all connected by their love for the arts and a passion to pay it forward.
They are Guitars Over Guns’ heart and soul, implementing and customizing our comprehensive curriculum that uses arts-based mentoring as a powerful intervention tool for young people.
Guitar & Production
Marcelo Araujo-Cox is a guitarist/producer from Miami Beach, living in Los Angeles. Marcelo has produced music with artists such as Iban Lee, Nicole Ngo and MEVS while finishing his Bachelor’s Degree at Los Angeles College of Music. Artists he has performed with include those aforementioned, plus Anton Iakukhin and Lucas Lenny. In addition to performing, Marcelo has been teaching private lessons since 2017, and carries an immense appreciation for the generosity of the music organizations/educators that have helped him improve as a young musician. Marcelo makes it his duty to inspire his students to find their own path and ideally form a relationship with music that could be cherished long-term.
Guitar & Bass
Vocals
Billy Thieme of Denver Thread says, “Ella Luna pairs jazz and dream pop with a sincere & smooth indie lyrical and musical style that recalls up & coming artists like Lucy Dacus or Lindsey Jordan (Snail Mail) on first blush. But then Stoner seasons that mix with vocals that lilt with tired tears just underneath her tongue at times, and with the vigorous power of an Amy Winehouse or a Norah Jones at others, but she always sounds real, and herself.”
