Oklahoma- Michael Ginsburg knows what it’s like to face adversity. At an early age, Ginsburg was a violin prodigy who had aspirations of creating music and spreading his love of the arts to everyone he comes into contact with. By the time he was five, Ginsburg was performing at various venues around his home state of Pennsylvania. Around the same time, he became interested in Scottish Fiddle music and competing in Scottish Games. He placed first in numerous local competitions and at age 10 won third place in a national Scottish fiddling contest for age 16 and under.
Michael spent a year in Israel during which he continued his violin studies and played in an international orchestra and at various events. Upon his return to the United States, he was chosen to be first chair violin for the New England Youth Conservatory Orchestra, one of the more prestigious music programs in the country. While at the New England Conservatory, Ginsburg studied with Marylou Speaker-Churchill, principal second violinist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He also studied for many years and was inspired by Earl Carlyss of the Juilliard Quartet and the Peabody Conservatory of Music.
At the age of 15, Ginsburg developed a debilitating drug habit that plagued him and his ambitions and that completely changed his life forever. At that time he gave up music, even selling his violin for drugs. Ginsburg entered the Narconon Arrowhead drug rehabilitation program in 2006 where he learned how to overcome his addiction and regained his confidence to live a happy, productive, fulfilling life without the use of drugs.
Today Ginsburg is working with the community of McAlester who are actively organizing the “Take McAlester Back” movement. Take McAlester Back is a grassroots campaign designed to get drugs out and arts into the local community. The campaign is being sponsored by The Chamber, Pride In McAlester, McAlester Main Street and Narconon Arrowhead.
On October 23rd Take McAlester Back is kicking off their official all day event where that night Ginsburg will be playing a benefit concert with Jana Jae, a world renowned fiddle player, at the Masonic Temple in McAlester. Ginsburg has high hopes of sharing his experience with as many people as possible as he is proof that there is hope and a way out for those struggling with drug or alcohol addiction problems.
“Narconon Arrowhead helped taught me how to get my life back and gave me the tools I needed to overcome my addiction,” says Ginsburg. “Now I just want to give back to the community.”
Narconon Arrowhead is one of the largest drug rehabilitation centers in the world and has helped thousands of addicts permanently recover from addiction. The long-term, inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation center continually supports its graduates and community by helping to raise awareness about drug abuse and offering solutions to those in need through drug education lectures and seminars in schools and businesses.
“During my time at Narconon Arrowhead, I regained the ability to play music, I rekindled my relationship with my family, I learned who I was, and what I wanted to be,” says Ginsburg. “I can only hope to help others through my experiences to be able to create to their fullest abilities through the arts. To funnel this creativity so they do not get into the same trap I fell into with drugs.”
If you or someone you love is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, please call Narconon Arrowhead today at 1-800-468-6933 or log onto www.stopaddiction.com .
For more information on Take McAlester Back visit www.takemcalesterback.com.
Drug-Abuse
