Free Fitness and Music Classes Offered

Locals give back to the community in a number of ways: by giving time to an organization, donating money to a local cause, or giving clothes and food items to local shelters. Brandon Bui chooses to give back by offering free classes in music instruction and weight-lifting in Loma Linda. Bui has a background in music from the University of California Riverside and holds advanced degrees from Loma Linda University. During the week Bui works at Kaiser Permanente, but on weekend mornings acts as an instructor and advocate for fitness and music. Bui says, “I noticed with our economy that both parents have to work full-time and for me and my wife, music and exercise is how we cope with stress on a daily basis.” Recently, at an industrial building in Loma Linda, Bui began teaching a free weight-lifting class for members of the community who don’t have the money to spend on a gym or personal trainer. Bui aims to educate and he wishes to teach those who come to his sessions how to be healthier and stronger. He shares, “We need to create healthy habits. We need to exercise for life." He goes on to say, "We eat and sleep for life and we need to exercise for life as well.” The exercise class includes two sessions on Sunday mornings and each session is an hour and half long. The first 30 minutes is a lecture based on the benefit of exercise. The next 30 minutes is instruction teaching participants how to do the exercises correctly and the last 30 minutes is a wrap up with a question-and-answer session. The class is only open to 6 members at a time because of space, and thus far the feedback has been positive. Bui states, “Even if only one person shows up I will teach them." He goes on to say, "People who don’t have the money are glad to have the opportunity to learn fitness and basic exercises." One of Bui’s first loves in life is music and he is determined to share his passion with the community. He created music playrooms for meaningful integration, knowledge, and applied learning (MIKAL). The class is designed to give people the ability to take music lessons if they cannot afford to take private lessons or lack a space to practice in. Bui created the music curriculum for his music classes and invites children 5 years and up and their families to attend. Bui’s goal is to teach people how to read notes and wants to provide a foundation for further musical learning. Bui states, “I know that many people would like to learn to play music, but cannot do that because they live in an apartment or condo, where their neighbors may complain about the noise. So, I wish to offer the place with affordable rates for families to learn and practice music and grow as they wish.”