David Jones, BVA member and Ambassador from Ooltewah, Tennessee, has offered to share his passion and ability to play the harmonica with any interested BVA member. The lessons can be conducted via Facetime calls or by telephone. According to David, possessing sight is not a requirement for playing the harmonica, which consists of four basic holes that can produce eight different sounds.

David plays in memory of his father and for his brothers, the latter of whom he now shares a musical bond that he did not have when growing up. He has also instructed a great-granddaughter and played for his fellow veteran trainees at the Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Center in Birmingham, Alabama.

A feature in last summer’s VA News entitled “Veteran Finds Healing with a Harmonica” described David’s connection with BVA and his self-taught proficiency with the harmonica that led him to participate in this past year’s VA Creative Arts Festival. He uses music to tell his story of loss but also of connection. To inquire about possible harmonica lessons, call David at (630) 801-1921 or send him an email at davidw.jones@hotmail.com. The VA News feature is still accessible as well.