“I can’t begin to say enough about the Quest Center and the amazing things they do for the children throughout the community. I have never been able to fully grasp the importance of music & what it can do for someone until I saw it with my own two eyes. From week to week, I have watched my son learn and grow - not just with his music, but with his independence, his self-confidence, and his dedication. It’s a visible transformation that you just can’t miss. The Quest Center for Art & Community Development is a top notch group of individuals I can’t thank them enough for all they do for our community. ”

“Since my son, Cooper, has been a student at the Quest Center, I have seen his passion for music grow. He now has the opportunity to exchange his musical ideas and ambitions with like-minded people, and he really enjoys the camaraderie. This has also helped Cooper build self-esteem and have a more positive opinion of himself and his abilities.

Cooper’s role as a Teacher Assistant with the Quest Center this school year has allowed him to experience a new level of growth and maturity. By being responsible for helping younger students learn guitar, Cooper has learned patience, understanding, and how to work as a team. This experience has been a very positive one for him. ”

“I see the self-esteem of children – not just my own children, but all children who attend classes at the Quest Center – rise, really improve. Not just because they’re learning something, but because the staff believes in them, and they start to believe in themselves.”

““…the smiling faces and communities represented in this video are truly inspiring.  These children are our future and I am so glad they have access to resources like Quest! You are doing amazing work both here and abroad!” ”

“We are so thankful to have found the Quest Center. Thank you for what you do for children and our community. As a parent it can be intimidating and overwhelming finding activities for children with social anxieties & this seems to be an answer to prayers. You are very much appreciated! ”

“The amazing people at The Quest Center are phenomenal helping students grow and succeed and never once act like it’s a problem! They go out of their way to help students achieve their goals. ”

“I never had role models in my life until I was introduced to the Quest Center. It’s been honestly the best thing in my life, that I’ve ever experienced and had in my life. ”

“I don’t think you will ever know the difference you have made in the lives of others around here. I admire the heck out of you!”

“I just can’t express my gratitude for what the Quest Center has done for Eizach and his confidence. I sing your praises to everyone I meet. What you are doing for our community is absolutely amazing & I can’t believe we didn’t find you all sooner! ”

“We are forever grateful to you guys for your patience & helping teach our little girls to love music. We love you all for what you’ve done for them (especially Emma). ”

“The Quest Center has been a multidimensional gift to our daughter. She’d shown interest in music and playing guitar from an early age. We knew we wanted to invest in that interest, but private lessons were only seasonally affordable for us. This resulted in hit or miss learning early on, without a sense of momentum, fun, or empowerment in music. Our family moved to Dickson a year and a half ago where I learned about the Quest Center on a community FaceBook group and immediately signed her up. The vision to serve every child who longs to learn moved me deeply, and even at full price, the rates were so attainable for us. The only concern I had initially was that a group class setting might not be as high touch as private lessons could be. As it happens, the community, camaraderie, and joy the group experience offers is part of what makes the Quest Center experience so special. She has improved hand over fist with guitar, which is so cool. But the less “quantifiable” gains are the sweetest treasures. She’s learned to lean in when it’s hard, that showing up with her parts learned matters in the context of a team, and that it’s ok to have fun and be confident, even when mistakes happen. Some of the sweetest moments in our home happen when I’m walking by her door, and hear her playing new songs, toying with lyrics, and even stretching her voice to sing every now and then. In only a year and half, Claire has been a part of professional recordings of two original songs co-written by her class, several community performances, and has found the joy that creating music uniquely brings to the soul. We are forever grateful to The Quest Center. ”

“The Quest Center has helped me with my confidence. I’m doing better in school and I’ve made new friends. The Quest Center is an awesome place and has made me love guitar!”

“The music program at the Quest Center really brought my daughter out of her shell. After just one semester, emotionally she was a changed person. It built her self-confidence, her self-esteem. She became more outgoing. She just seemed to love life more.”

“I appreciate you and all you’re pouring into our son! ”

“We have fallen in love with the Quest Center over the last four years. From an after school program that introduced our son to guitar, to taking music class and guitar classes, to being included in the performance group. He’s blossomed and has discovered ways to overcome difficulties. Music itself has opened a whole new world for him, learning how to make music with staff and other students has been an amazing catalyst for discovering how to work with others, creating relationships, and encouraging growth.”

“I feel like I was losing Dixie at only 11 years old, things were not good at all. She was sad, angry, reclusive. Not anymore, though. Dixie had become quite reclusive in our family, thankfully she is not anymore. She had been having trouble for a few years at school with teachers and other kids and it was wearing heavily on her. I can’t say enough, how much the Quest Center has positively impacted her life.

Since Dixie has been taking guitar lessons, she has found the first thing in life that she loves. She’s loves the attention she gets when she plays. She looks forward to classes… she is learning to participate in groups. Before the Quest Center she always wanted to be alone so all the attention was on her. She’s always craved attention but always tried to get it negatively.

I’m proud of her, she needed something in her life and the Quest Center came into her life at just the right time. As a 1 income family of 6, we could not provide Dixie with lessons without the Quest Center. Thank you for all you do! I believe guitar lessons and music in general is a game changer in Dixie’s life. The Quest Center has truly changed her. We could not be more proud of all the positive changes we have seen in her. ”

“And he is having so much fun – you certainly have a way with these kids. I appreciate the time you are putting into designing a curriculum that is both challenging and within reach. You are adding to the quality of life of these individuals in a way that will go beyond the weekly sessions.”

“I like the Quest Center because it is like my family. You can learn and have fun at the same time. It also helped me in school band because I already knew the notes from being at the Quest Center. ”

“I didn’t realize how much Payton had learned… until he was talking to you and it sounded like a foreign language! I am sure he learned more last year than all his other years of guitar combined.”

“I like the Quest Center because it brings different people together. It has helped me gain confidence. ”

“The Quest Center works so hard with Dickson County youth… They have given my son… more confidence in himself and the gift of love for music and his growing into a better young man.”

“We are blessed. If it weren’t for music, specifically guitar, our son would be a completely different kid. He has really opened up over the last 4 years.”

“I love my guitar lessons because it allows me to keep calm and be focused. ”

“I want to say a very genuine thank you to the staff of the Quest Center. A year into lessons with my three middle- and high-school children, I can see a real difference in their focus and ability to play together. Their skills are always improving, but even more important to me as a mom is watching them grow in personal responsibility, push through the tough parts, learn to work with all kinds of other people, and have a lot of fun doing it. The staff really encourages personal development while teaching music mechanics and creativity. We’re so thankful for the opportunity the Quest Center provides!”

“Our kids have learned more in a few months at the Quest Center then they did in a year at other lessons. They enjoy their classes and look forward to them each week. They feel encouraged and challenged. The instructors spend time speaking with parents and the children. I have never felt rushed or pushed out of a lesson like I’ve experienced elsewhere. They are more concerned with teaching than time limits. ”

“The Quest Center is a great program for kids to learn about and get to express themselves through music. My son, Mason, has been attending the Quest Center for almost 2 years and absolutely loves it. Before attending the Quest Center, Mason was a shy kid and wouldn’t speak in front of his class at school. But now he will get up in front of large groups and play guitar with ease. And I know it’s all because of the Quest Center that my child plays and loves music the way he does. They always have creative ways to get and keep kids interested in music. This is truly a great program to teach and inspire kids, and to do this in a positive learning environment is important. And that is exactly what the Quest Center offers.”

“The Quest Center is a place where I can be creative and express myself through what I love, music. ”

“My son Grant has always been my shy kid and had developed test anxiety… it was so bad he would sit at his desk and break pencils during tests. I work at his school and knew he had the best teachers, but it was internal pressure he was placing on himself that was holding him back. After guitar lessons with the Quest Center I was seeing major changes in Grant. Today, he has so much confidence and has found the thing that makes him happy. The Quest Center staff makes all students feel like rock stars. It’s not that Grant doesn’t have anxiety anymore, it’s that he is learning how to push through it. I love listening to him play, but as his mom, I love what’s happening with his education and his spirit even more. I think that the Quest Center has given Grant a skill that will always be with him. Now my younger son has started lessons at the Quest Center and our journey is continuing.”

“I can’t get over how much she has learned in such a short amount of time.”

“You help me in inspiring and unexplainable ways and I thank you.”

“Quest Center teachers are very encouraging and patient with us. I am very shy, but when I’m at the Quest Center that just goes away. Along with that I have made many friends that I wouldn’t have met without the Quest Center. I’m now playing guitar, sax and fiddle. ”

“Thank you for being such a good teacher to Tom. He has learned an amazing amount and is just totally in love with his guitar. It’s one thing to teach the notes, it’s another to teach the love of the art. You have done both.”

“Zach is a fidgety kid who typically lacks confidence. But this class has helped make him more comfortable around others. Recently, we were at a family gathering and he would typically sit around and mingle with the kids his age, but he, unprompted, went to the car and got his guitar and played “Amazing Grace” for the family. He is proud of what he can do and seems to want to continue to pursue it, which for me was 1 of the goals. I can’t say enough good things about the program and the instructors. They are patient and understanding and really know what they are doing. They also know how to help a kid who is struggling. They are willing to slow everything down and make sure that everyone in the class is on the same page and understanding. Staff has been so helpful with Zach, who can have issues focusing on tasks and sitting still for longer than a few minutes at a time. They really seem to care about their students and that, in and of itself, is enough to keep me coming back. Not to mention, they are great instructors who can work with kids of all ages and skill levels.”

“My children have immensely enjoyed taking guitar class at the Quest Center. Not only have all 3 of them progressed in their ability to play from the music they are reading, their self-esteem has greatly improved. My 9 year old daughter, in particular, has truly come out of her shell and is more confident and outgoing than before she began taking guitar class. Taking classes at the Quest has helped my oldest daughter to discern her true passion in playing music. My 13 year old son, who is highly self-motivated and quick to pick up new concepts, has absolutely flourished in his musical ability. Staff are remarkably intuitive and have the ability to teach music and build the self-esteem of the children simultaneously. The children thoroughly enjoy each class, and while they vary in the amount of time they practice individually throughout the week, they all seem to retain the concepts they’ve learned during class. I know this is due in large part to the energetic and engaging teaching style.”

“Thanks so much for an incredible week (of summer camp) and a memorable performance day! I am so pleased with everything. You have a truly special organization and a palpable passion for your work. Thank you. Let’s keep in touch and continue to work together!”

“Thank you for the Quest Center’s enthusiastic music sessions during DHA Summer Camp. The campers thoroughly enjoyed each session. You definitely were able to reach, connect and inspire many of our campers. We hope to partner again next year. Thank you on behalf of all the campers, staff and volunteers.”

“New Directions Academy is a public alternative school… students have behavioral and learning disabilities… Mr. Lutz’s guitar class has had a positive impact on all involved. Students have improved social skills… students give and receive positive feedback and accept constructive criticism. Students offer support and encouragement to each other… They have improved their ability to follow directions. One student in particular has benefitted… Austin has developed an enthusiasm for playing, has more self-confidence and interacts more frequently with peers. The students have really enjoyed the lessons…

”

““Music has helped Becky increase her memory. Music gives her a sense of achievement… Becky’s social skills have improved. Her self-confidence shows in every aspect of her life. Becky is becoming more willing to volunteer and socialize… her self-esteem has increased. Becky has learned to work as part of a team and to be a team player.”

”

“Through the Quest Center, I have learned how to read sheet music, play notes and chords, and keep a tempo. The program has helped me immensely in following a daily routine as well, because practicing is so necessary for skill to develop. ”