2stix founder and Celebrity Drummer and Music Director Rick Jordan decided to start the 2Stix initiative after reading about low academic performance in his native Atlanta Georgia school system. He remembered not being motivated in school and not having the support needed to excel, and that compelled him to take action. He knows first-hand that music can change a child’s life and that adding music education to their academic journey can greatly improve his or her attention span and confidence in the classroom. Learning to play an instrument will also support children in other academic areas such as math, science and reading. “I believe that music brings out the best in children of all cultures” says Mr. Jordan, who has been playing drums since he was two years old. He believes that joining the school music program helped shape his musical journey. “Though I was self taught and already playing drums before I started school, the school band brought out something special in me. Music taught me to be disciplined. I practiced constantly. It helped me with my confidence in other classes and I felt like I was apart of something and that someone expected something of me. Music taught me to think.”