From One Student's Dream: How the AUM Guitar Club Built Community

How one student’s love of guitar created a lasting AUM community Some friendships begin with a conversation. For recent AUM graduate Arlyssea Thomas, they began with a guitar. Da’Monta Wiggins, Director of Student Life, plays acoustic guitar in Warhawk Alley Inspired by a desire to learn to play the guitar, Thomas founded the AUM Guitar Club to bring students together through a shared passion for the instrument. Although Thomas has graduated, the community she created continues to grow. This fall, the Guitar Club will begin its second semester as an official student organization, welcoming new Warhawks eager to learn, play and connect through music. Before graduating in Spring 2026, Thomas launched the Guitar Club to create a welcoming community where students of all experience levels could learn, practice, and enjoy music together, said Brandi Kitts, a senior majoring in early childhood education and the club’s current president. “Arlyssea wanted to learn guitar and noticed that other students had similar interests,” Kitts said. “She wanted to create a community where AUM students could learn and play the instrument together.” Turning her vision into reality required Thomas to complete one final step: finding a faculty or staff advisor familiar with guitar. She found that support in Russell Chambliss, military admissions associate in AUM’s Veterans and Military Resource Center, who agreed to serve as the club’s advisor and helped the organization become an official student group. Today, the club welcomes students of all skill levels, including those who have never played an instrument. “The club’s goals are to help new members learn guitar, practice songs together, and build a strong foundation in guitar skills,” Kitts said. “During our first semester, members chose songs they wanted to learn while also being taught basic guitar fundamentals that could help them continue learning independently.” Club meetings combine instruction, practice and mentorship. Experienced players help beginners learn basic techniques while members practice together, share skills and encourage one another as musicians. Students join in playing and learning guitar in the Taylor Center. “We want every meeting to be fun and welcoming,” Kitts said. “Everyone has different skill levels and goals, so we meet students where they are and help them grow as musicians.” Students also do not need to own a guitar to participate. The club provides electric, acoustic, and acoustic-electric guitars for members to share during meetings, making it easy for anyone interested to get started. Looking ahead, the club hopes to expand by offering jam sessions, workshops, and performances, and by getting involved in community service projects, Kitts said. “A major goal is to have members perform on campus while creating more opportunities for students to share music together,” she said. “We hope students gain an appreciation for guitar and music while developing skills, confidence, and discipline in our club,” Kitts said. “Learning an instrument requires dedication and practice, and those skills can also carry over into academic studies and other areas of life.” Students interested in joining the Guitar Club can email [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected]. The club shares updates on Instagram at aum_guitarclub and communicates with members through GroupMe.   Quick Facts: President: Brandi Kitts, early childhood education senior Vice President: Andrew Shum Marketing Manager: Katelynn Do Faculty Advisor: Russell Chambliss Equipment available: Electric, acoustic, electric-acoustic, amplifiers and cords Share This Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email