MUSIC HELPS STEER YOUTHS STRAIGHT DUO OFFERS TEENS A SHOT AT SPOTLIGHT.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

LANCASTER - There's therapy, counseling, group sessions and fancy programs with acronym names.

And there's music.

A pair of probation officers in Lancaster had just dusted off their own guitars when the idea hit: mixing business with pleasure by creating a music program for the troubled kids they worked with.

``Music is kind of a universal thing where anyone and everyone can meet,'' said Officer Larry Bolster. ``Your race or age or gender don't matter. It's just the beat. It's the music. You lose yourself in it.''

Bolster and Bob Kain put together the first program in Los Angeles County that offered youths deemed at risk of getting in trouble a chance to learn an instrument and play in a band.

Those who stick with it live every teen's dream: They perform on stage.

``That's the payoff,'' Bolster said. ``The excitement they feel when they gear up for the performance and then the expression on their faces when they hear the applause. It's all worth it.''

The pair began taking kids in and teaching them instruments on their own before learning of grants that help fund such programs.

They obtained grants from Systems of Care, which is funded by the county's mental health, probation and social service departments as well as the Valley Child Guidance Center.

They bought a professional public address system for use by singers and they were on their way.

Sixty kids have gone through the program, with a solid core of about 15 sticking it out, relishing the experience and hoping for that big break.

One 18-year-old woman moved on to a professional band.

``They heard her sing, and they asked her to hook up with them,'' Bolster said. ``They have kind of a unique band in that she's not just breaking away but she's kind of being nurtured.''

The band performs wherever it can, including a benefit for the Valley Child Guidance Center last month at the Antelope Valley Mall, at the Cafe La Moore and at a festival at the United Community Action Network.

``Somebody should give them a break,'' said Cafe La Moore owner Lynette Moore. ``We've been very successful with the program and want to help youth. It's hard growing up in an era where there is really nothing for these kids to do. This gives them that opportunity, and I'm glad to help.''

The kids in the program are all ages, races and backgrounds with one thing in common: music. Some come through the program and only stay during one of the Wednesday rehearsals, while others have been their since the beginning.

The idea came about a year ago, after veteran probation officers Bolster and Kain picked up their long-forgotten guitars and jammed together.

Drawing the kids into their fondness for music seemed a natural.

``It's an avenue that's just now being explored when others like counseling and therapy haven't been effective,'' Bolster said. ``Music is an area that allows kids to express themselves and be who they want to be.''

Now the pair is seeking nonprofit status for the program.

``There's a whole world of grants and funding, but it all takes time,'' Bolster said.

For information on the program or to contribute, contact Bolster or Kain at the probation office at [phone].

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo: (1) Elizabeth Cervantes and Jana Evans, right, rehearse with backing from probation Officers Larry Bolster and Bob Kain.

(2 -- color in AV edition only) Probation officer Larry Bolster accompanies Cre-Shawn Tart as part of a program in Lancaster to keep kids out of trouble by giving them a creative outlet through music.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer