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.
Drums & Percussion
Lucas Lenny is a musician from Paris, France based in Los Angeles. After a few years studying jazz in his hometown, heavily influenced by legends like Elvin Jones or Jack dejohnette, he ventured to new horizons to find other inspirations. He performed actively around the Los Angeles area, allowing him to gain experience and widen his horizons. After graduating from Los Angeles College of Music, his passion for West-African music led him to collaborate with Elhadji Sora, a kora player from Senegal. The polyrhythmic and lyrical aspects of this music led him to develop a melodic and unique approach on the drumset, reinforced by his left-handed abilities that helped shape another conception of the instrument. His curiosity for new sounds brought him to the California Institute of the Arts, where he completed his Masters program. In an open and creative environment, he refined his skills and shaped his own voice. He started composing and producing his own songs, with a debut EP planned for release in March 2023. Through his sensitivity to melodies and understanding of rhythm, Lucas is creating a music full of colors, groove and soul, that is grounded in traditions yet refreshing and innovative.
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.”
