State Farm® Introduces "Celebrity Music Teacher for a Day" Program To Raise Teen-Driver Safety Awareness Through Music Education

State Farm® Introduces "Celebrity Music Teacher for a Day" Program To Raise Teen-Driver Safety Awareness Through Music Education

Program brings Latin music artist Gustavo Galindo to High School Music Classes Around the Country

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- For most of us, music is an essential part of the driving experience, and what better way to talk with teens about safe driving than through their passion for music. To this end, and as part of the 22nd Annual Billboard Latin Music Conference and Awards sponsorship, State Farm is hosting Latino singer/songwriter, Gustavo Galindo, to serve as "Celebrity Music Teacher for a Day" at various high school music classes around the nation. The kick-off event took place at New York City's DeWitt Clinton High School on April 1, where the artist engaged with a class of more than 50 students. State Farm "Celebrity Music Teacher for a Day" is taking place in 5 markets in conjunction with the Latin Billboard Awards concert series, also sponsored by State Farm.

"Teen driver safety and education awareness are pillars of the State Farm commitment to strengthen our youth," said Pam El, State Farm Marketing Vice President. "This initiative aligns with our promise to build safer, stronger, and better educated communities. We're committed to strengthening the communities in which we live and work by teaming up with great partners to make good on that promise."

"I am honored to have been able to partner with State Farm on its first 'Celebrity Music Teacher for a Day' initiative and as the tour's exclusive performer and spokesperson," said singer/songwriter, Gustavo Galindo. "Teen driver safety is an issue that is near and dear to me, and in which I have a personal experience. To be able to instill awareness of safe-driving practices among these young adults through my music and in collaboration with State Farm is a tremendously rewarding experience."

For the next two weeks, Gustavo Galindo will team up with five State Farm agents and visit a high school music class in Dallas (April 6), Miami (April 8), Chicago (April 12) and Los Angeles (April 14). Gustavo's lesson plan includes an overview of the song-writing process, key learnings about "making it" in the music industry, co-writing a song with the students, while encouraging them to drive safely and stay in school. The program ends with an interactive trivia Q&A about the lesson and an autograph-signing session for students. For video and photos of these events, check out State Farm® Latino on Facebook.

About State Farm®:

State Farm insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in Canada. Our 17,800 agents and more than 66,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts - more than 79 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 34 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca®.

AboutGustavo Galindo:

Gustavo Galindo's music is a reflection of his life's journey between two countries and two cultures. Born in Mexico City in the early 1980s, his childhood included several years living in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, followed by a period living with his cousins in Mexico City, and then in Sacramento. Galindo majored in International Relations and his music education began as a child, with his father. Not restricted by language or genre, Gustavo's sound is a combination of traditional and contemporary Mexican and American styles. Gustavo writes and performs both in English and Spanish. Galindo's debut album "Entre La Ciudad y El Mar" is climbing the Billboard Latin charts and debuted as the #1 Latin Top Pop album on iTunes Latino.

SOURCE State Farm

State Farm

CONTACT: Melissa McKinley, State Farm, +1-309-766-0625, melissa.mckinley.qxwl@statefarm.com; Mayra Meza, The Axis Agency, +1-512-799-3342, mmeza@theaxisagency.com

Web Site: http://www.statefarm.com

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