Our music department at C3Exchange is headed by Brian Vander Ark, founding member and lead singer of The Verve Pipe. We offer several programs in which you and your family can engage with Brian and share your musical talents with C3 and the greater community.

C3 Singers

C3 Singers is our children’s choir led by Brian. The group is open to boys and girls age four to eight. The program began on January 8, 2012, and welcomes new members. The group meets every Sunday at 11:15 a.m. in the GHCC auditorium following our main weekly gathering. For more information, email Brian at brian [at] c3exchange [dot] org or call the office at (616) 842-1985. You need not be a C3 member to join.

Here are some previews of songs the children are currently working on, sung by Brian’s daughter Evie:

When I’m 64

Pony Boy

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Music Mentoring

Brian is available as a musical mentor in our office at 208 Franklin Street in Grand Haven on Tuesdays and Thursdays for kids and adults (by appointment). Bring in your guitar, a song, or your questions about the industry, and you’ll get some one-on-one time with Brian. Free to members! For more information, email Brian at brian [at] c3exchange [dot] org or call the office at (616) 842-1985.

Thursday Night Workshop

Brian hosts a monthly Thursday night workshop which features special guest musicians and mentors on a variety of different instruments.

Thursday, January 12, from 6 to 7 p.m., Brian will be hosting a FREE workshop for aspiring guitarists, which will include basic guitar instruction such as how to tune and how to play basic chords. Bring your guitar and sit in with other learning musicians. We might have a special guest or two, and if things go well, a jam session may even occur! For more information, email Brian at brian [at] c3exchange [dot] org or call the office at (616) 842-1985.

About Brian Vander Ark

Brian Vander Ark is the lead singer and principal songwriter for The Verve Pipe. The band has sold more than 3 million albums worldwide and produced a string of hit singles, including the #1 song “The Freshmen.”

Since the success of “The Freshmen”, Brian has released four solo albums, a Verve Pipe children’s album, and a holiday CD. He is also an actor, having appeared in the wildly successful “Rock Star” (starring Mark Walberg and Jennifer Aniston), “Dead And Breakfast” (starring Jeremy Sisto and Erik Pallidino), “House Of The Rising Sun” (starring Amy Smart and Dave Batista). His most recent accomplishment is writing, producing and starring in the multiple award winning short “Bullies On Vacation.”

On stage, Brian garnered rave reviews as Charley Bowdrey in “The Collective Works Of Billy The Kid” at the prestigious La Jolla playhouse, under the direction of Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, Tommy).

Interesting Facts

Brian Vander Ark wrote and recorded the song “Colorful” for the movie ROCKSTAR. Mark Walburg lip-synch’s to Brian’s voice in the movie.

Brian (with his band The Verve Pipe) toured the US and Europe with Kiss.