Alex Grimberg is at a crossroads. One day he was a Grade 12 Innisfail Jr/Sr High student, and the next a Red Deer College music student in the Student-for-a-Day program.
Grimberg, 17, is a largely self-taught music student gifted with the ability to play the drums, keyboards, and guitars, as well as writing his own music, lyrics and recording his compositions.
His dream is to become a professional musician.
“I have been playing the guitar since I was 11 or 12-years-old,” said Grimberg, “And have been in the music program at Innisfail Jr/Sr High as long as it has been offered as an option. During my first couple of years I took lessons and soon found I could learn more just by playing.”
Robert Grimberg, Alex's father, noted his son soon discovered how to teach himself by watching instructional videos, and listening to music.
“He continually strove to play pieces that required higher skill sets than he had,” said his father. “Now he can play half of Pink Floyd's album, The Wall already.”
Alex attended Red Deer College's electric guitar department as Student-for-a-Day on March 21, and enjoyed every bit of it.
“As soon as I found out that I was going, I was excited,” said the Grade 12 student. “I attended two classes, one on music theory with 14 other students, and another on the business side of music with around 20 kids.”
He added the low student to teacher ratios would allow him to learn hands-on during his time at Red Deer College.
“After my day at the music program, I even look more forward to my days in the program,” said Alex. “The facility is beautiful and there are so many practice rooms, and other music related resources, it will help me to expand my musicianship.”
Robert added he and his wife have encouraged their son every step of the way in his musical journey.
“We wanted him to take up something that was not academic that helped him develop his mind more fully,” said Robert. “He is somewhat of an athlete, and not necessarily an honour student, but he is very musical so this is an excellent opportunity for him to see what life as a student will be like.”
Alex encourages other students to try the Student-for-a-Day program out at the college, noting that he only applied a month ago and was approved within one week of his application.
“If you don't, do try what you want to do when you're young you may never know what might have happened,” said Robert of his son's ambition. “The field of music is so very large he may end up as a producer, studio musician, writer, or actually earn a living making music. There is only one way to find out, this is the beginning.”
He said they are behind him 100 per cent no matter what he does. As of right now, that is music.
