Frontline Company Summer Camp and Enrollment

By Misty Cryer

For kids and adults looking for an outlet to discover gifts in music and art in Carlsbad, it is worth looking into what Frontline Company offers. With upcoming summer camps for kids entering first through seventh grade and enrollment for fall lessons ongoing, locals are likely to appreciate the expertise of the instructors and the friendly community in a Christ-centered environment.

It started as teaching voice lessons at the community center in Hagerman to bring in some income on a flexible schedule that enabled a mother with a newborn to do all the things a mom does. It became a company with several instructors offering multi-instrumental music and art lessons at two locations.

“I started with one student,” said Jessica Kirk. She said that through word of mouth, it just grew. “I ended up with church leaders and worship leaders coming to me for voice lessons.”

A church in Roswell asked if Jessica could train their entire vocal team. “They started driving to Hagerman,” said Jessica. Eventually, she started teaching in Roswell, mostly in churches, and has outgrown several spaces over the last 10 years.

During the COVID pandemic, Jessica said her husband, Matt, got laid off and joined her as an instructor, first teaching bass guitar prior to expanding his knowledge to include other instruments. They have added instructors. “They are wonderful, top-notch at their craft, and beautiful, loving, kind individuals,” she said.

“It was totally a God thing. God has blessed us from the beginning and, like, showed what he wanted it to be,” said Jessica.

Feeling drawn to Carlsbad, Jessica said, with Matt’s encouragement, she arranged a meeting with a man in Carlsbad to see about a building. “I was really honest and said, ‘We don’t have the money for this.’” While talking to him, Jessica felt that the Lord revealed to her that he would provide them with a building.

“Out of the blue one day, this man messaged me on Messenger,” said Jessica, explaining it was the Pastor of Word of Life Church, Jason Shirley, who wanted her and her husband to meet with him and his wife, Tiffany.

Starting out as Facebook friends, Jason said he didn’t know Jessica but knew her sister. He saw that Frontline Company of Roswell was considering coming to Carlsbad. “Tiffany and I went and had coffee with her and her husband, Matt, and just wanted to hear about it, hear what Frontline was all about, and hear their heart on it,” he said.

By the end of the conversation, Jason said, “We felt like it was something that really matched the vision that we had for the church.” He said, “Not that we wanted Frontline to be run by Word of Life, or part of what we do, but we wanted to help in any way that we could.”

The result, Frontline Company was invited to a space at Word of Life Church, making it possible for the company to provide lessons in Carlsbad.

“I think it has benefited Carlsbad a lot,” said Jason. “We have so many talented kids and adults in Carlsbad, and a lot of them just don’t have an outlet or any kind of training.” He said that there are a few teachers who take on students and do a great job, but there definitely are not enough to go around.

“Making music education available is a fantastic thing,” said Jason.

Two Carlsbad Summer Camps are scheduled for June 9-11 and for July 7-9. Both will include drums, guitar, bass guitar, singing, piano, and art. To register online, visit https://www.frontlinecompany.org/summercamps.

Frontline Company is also enrolling for fall, with classes starting August 11. Course offerings include drums, guitar, bass guitar, singing, and piano for first grade through adults. To enroll online, visit https://www.frontlinecompany.org/.

Jessica said it is a year for growth in Carlsbad, “We are always interested in speaking to people who desire to share their gift as an instructor.”

For more information, contact Frontline Company at 575-500-7878.