Students in the College of Life Sciences can often be found in a lab conducting research or out in the field collecting data to discover innovations. But in their spare time, they also have a multitude of hobbies, including playing and singing music. Several of these life sciences musicians took their passion for the arts and combined it with their desire to serve, resulting in an experience that blessed their lives as well as others.
At United Way’s South Franklin Center, families in need can find free counseling, crucial necessities, close-knit friendships, and even music classes, many of which are taught by life sciences students. Among those students are Kimball (MMBIO ‘26) and Caroline Demars (NEURO ‘25), who choose to dedicate time to teach the United Way’s children choir. Their journey to this opportunity started when searching for a place they could volunteer together. After a friend suggested incorporating their hobbies into their volunteering, they expanded their search to include the arts, which led them to United Way’s music programs. “Music isn’t my major,” Kimball says, “but it’s a major part of my life.”
Since then, Kimball and Caroline have taught the children’s choir at South Franklin for over a year, and they are loving it. “It sounds cliché, but what really happens is the teachers learn far more from the kids,” Caroline says. Both her and her husband have discovered a lot about becoming better teachers, being more sensitive to others’ needs, and fostering greater love with the people they know, both in their music classes and in their research. They believe that their service at South Franklin has been a blessing in their lives, and they encourage other BYU students to experiment as they search for volunteer opportunities. “Don’t just wait for a chance to serve, go create them. Go make your own,” Kimball shares.
Caden Warnick (CELL ‘27) began volunteering at South Franklin after a friend from the lab shared their experience teaching music classes there. He was amazed by the feeling of love and family at the center, and in that spirit, he’s spent two semesters helping several young learners play the piano. “Each week, it’s not just teaching them piano that matters. It’s being able to catch up with them and see how their week is going,” Warnick explains. He hopes to begin teaching cello lessons as well, so he can continue to maintain the meaningful relationships he’s built at United Way.
Aaron Xanthos (EXSC ‘27) filled a need for guitar lessons through JustServe in 2024, and unlike the other tutors at South Franklin, he has spent two semesters helping just one teen. As a result, Xanthos has made a much more personal connection with his student, as they’ve spent time practicing and chatting about school, science, and foreign languages.
Amazed and inspired by his student’s love for learning, Xanthos has asked to tutor more one-on-one sessions. “There were several times throughout the school year where that one-hour interaction was the highlight of my week,” Xanthos shares. “That kid is going places for real. He’s always showing me his achievements, and I’m glad I can be a part of his life.”
Whether they’re conducting inspired research in the lab or playing instruments with their students, these life science students share light wherever they go. Currently, they’re using their talents to help the Franklin Center prepare for their upcoming Christmas recital, where the children and teens will have the chance to play for their families and neighbors.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the South Franklin Center, view their website here.