JP Mom Turns Trash into Musical Treasure

Shoe boxes, paper towel rolls and rubber bands. Sure, they can be fun on their own, but they can also get boring quickly. Turn them into guitars and hand bells, and now you’ve got hours of enjoyment.

Jamaica Plain mother and artist Jessica Burko will be teaching an instrment-making workshop for 3 to 5 year olds at the Children’s Music Center of JP Sunday, Feb. 10.

Inspired by a class her 14-month-old daughter has been taking at the center and by the instruments she and her 3-year-old son have been creating on their own time, Burko decided she wanted the chance to put the two together at a workshop of her own.

“I’m a big advocate of upcycling everyday objects into art,” Burko said in an email to Patch. Upcycling is the process of turning useless debris into new, improved items.

The one-hour workshop, co-taught by Children’s Music Center Director Christy Zarlengo, is divided into two parts: making the instruments and, of course, playing them. And while the kids learn to build instruments out of discarded items, Burko is hopeful they’ll take away some tidbits about recycling as well.

“Getting the kids excited about crafting with household recyclables and showing them that music is everywhere they can take their imaginations is what it's all about!” she said.

The Instrument-Making Workshop with Jessica Burko will take place Sunday, Feb. 10 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Children’s Music Center of Jamaica Plain, 284 Amory St. in the brewery complex, 1st floor. The workshop is $20 for the first child, siblings are $15. Pre-registration is required.