Meet Timothy Huffman III: Birmingham drummer, keyboardist, and founder of Exposure Community Development Corporation. Free music lessons changed the course of Tim’s life. Now, he’s helping the next generation of Birmingham kids find their groove through his nonprofit.
Episode Transcript
Hey there.
This is Arts Fell on Alabama.
Timothy Huffman III is a jazz musician
from Birmingham, where he plays and teaches music.
But music is more than a job for Tim.
It's his life...and has been since he was a toddler.
So, at the age of 3, I started playing drums at church,
(00:21):
which my grandfather had pastored.
That was my very beginning.
And I took lessons at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, where they had free
music lessons, and the journey just kind of took off from there.
Also, shout out to Miss Travis.
She was my first elementary school teacher that taught me how to read music.
But it was while he was pursuing a music degree at Miles College
(00:44):
that Tim started to see the value of music education.
I just noticed there was a need,
and in my head, I was like, I would love to do free music lessons.
So, Tim decided to start Exposure Community Development Corporation.
Imma be very transparent.
I didn't know what a nonprofit organization was at the time.
(01:05):
But with the help of his mother and grandmother.
He opened ECDC in 2019.
Now, Tim works with students from low-income neighborhoods
where music is sometimes not taught in the schools,
and lessons are an often unattainable luxury.
I think we're one of the only music schools
(01:27):
around here that actually teach students the necessities.
So, when a young person go to college, they'll know at least the fundamentals.
You can't put a price tag on it. But at the end of the day.
What Timothy is instilling in his students is more than just a love of music.
The arts helps students become disciplined.
(01:47):
So that's what is really all about, just giving back.
This program is a
production of the Alabama State Council on the Arts.
I'm Audrey Atkins. Thanks for listening.
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