We fell in love with South Berkeley's music scene and people. But homeownership remains elusive.

"The thing that carved a path for me was the UC Berkeley music department. The practice rooms were also being used by a program called the Young Musicians Program (YMP) that taught local kids. Since I was in that practice room all the time, I met teachers who were also gigging musicians in the area. I started playing with them and slowly started doing gigs."

"Berkeley, and South Berkeley especially, has a long and in-depth history of music. The Ephesian Church of God in Christ is right here on Alcatraz. The famous Hawkins family which included siblings Edwin, Walter and Lynette Hawkins, among others were members there and that's where that gospel scene was born. Their music has received national acclaim and is still played today at churches throughout the whole Bay Area. Also, for blues and R&B, down the street is Johnny Talbot."

Marco Casasola grew up in Los Angeles and moved to Berkeley in 2000 after gaining admission to UC Berkeley. The UC Berkeley music department provided practice space shared with the Young Musicians Program (YMP), enabling repeated contact with local teachers who were active gigging musicians. Frequent practice-room interaction led to collaborations and early paid performances, with the Cheese Board as his first piano gig. Engagement with the jazz community deepened his musical interests. South Berkeley carries a deep musical heritage including the Ephesian Church of God in Christ, the Hawkins family's gospel legacy, and influential blues and R&B figures like Johnny Talbot and Faye Carol.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org