Meet Rick Jordan, Our Featured Volunteer from Los Angeles!
Get to know our volunteers!
Do you volunteer at a specific hospital? I perform for patients in the Los Angeles Veterans Hospital and also at the City of Hope.
How long have you been volunteering with Musicians On Call? I have been with MOC for about a year.
Are you a volunteer guide or musician? Musician
What is your favorite song to play for patients? One of my favorite songs to play for the patients is My Girl
Do you perform anywhere else besides with MOC? I also perform in several open mics in the Pasadena area.
What is your occupation outside of MOC? I am a retired public school teacher and I now teach adult classes in building electric guitars
Do you have any hidden talents? I can say “supercalafragalistic” backwards.
What is your story? What connects you with music and why do you volunteer with MOC? I became interested in the guitar in junior high back in the early 60s. Growing up with all of the great music of that era has been a real influence on my musical tastes. In college I was part of a folk trio performing in bars and pizza joints in the San Diego area.
During my 38 years in the classroom, I often included music in my high school English classes. While teaching junior high, I wrote a song about comma usage and would perform it with my students.
And so, when a musician friend of mine told me about Musicians On Call, I was immediately interested in the program.
Has your life changed because of your experience with Musicians On Call? It is amazing how fulfilling performing for patients has been. I love it when I can bring a song and a smile to their day. I am always grateful for the shared experience. MOC provides such a wonderful opportunity to do something of value for these very special people!
What is your favorite #MOCmoment? Recently, a man I played for was moved to tears. He so appreciated the meager gift my song provided. It warmed my heart beyond description.
