Local group supports dreams of possible future stars

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - In neighborhoods across our area, the dream of a music career offers hope, but the cost of recording and rehearsing can snuff out the dream.

As he does each night, FOX 29's Bill Anderson found some light in a dark situation.

The spotlight's on a group that's working together to support the dreams of future stars, #ForGoodnessSake

Even in the worst of circumstances many people still believe in pursuing a better life through music and entertainment. Unfortunately, those dreams are often shattered when they find out how expensive studio and rehearsal space can be.

One local group is looking to solve that problem..

"One day Dannie came down and she was like Adam there's a need for this recording is so expensive and we should create a place that's affordable," Adam Monaco explained.

Adam, along with co-founder Danie Ocean were friends, roommates, and although they both hate the term, at the time, struggling musicians. They know the challenges of being a musician who just can't afford to focus on your dream so they decided to do something.

"We're trying to get rid of the misnomer, starving artist, you don't have to be. Working While Playing stands for the idea of do what you love and get good at it and do it affordably," Danie explained.

The idea behind working while playing is that musicians get a membership that ranges from $35-$100 dollars per month and includes rehearsal and studio time that can cost 3 times that per hour. In exchange they become a member of the community and agree to do community service each month.

"When you're giving to other people they remember that, they're like you have a show coming up, I'd like to see that and those people are giving back to you," Danie explained.

"It's so important to give back to the community and to all be servant leaders," Adam explained.

Adam showed us around the Germantown facility and gave us a chance to both see and hear the impact that having a place to improve your skills really has.

Although having a supportive and affordable community to for developing musicians is key, the community service component is something the musicians seem to embrace.

"So the community service portion isn't a burden, it's a pleasure? Yeah, the way it's filled me and the way I know it can fill others it's not something I dread, I enjoy it," Melissa Baehr explained.

All of the musicians I met and heard perform made it clear that music in one form or another is therapeutic and plays a role in their growth and because of that fact it's important that the person with huge hope who may not have a huge bank account understands Working While Playing is there.

"Those kids who have those dreams we're gonna be there for them and we're gonna create a space for them and they're gonna be included in this," Danie explained.

As musicians they recognize the need to support people's dreams and as community members they understand that if they desire to do well, there's also a responsibility to do good, pay it forward, For Goodness Sake.