ARLINGTON — A 2007 graduate of Arlington High School, Andy Zook is studying music therapy at Seattle Pacific University and he is spending the summer coordinating a Teen Jam Night at Little Italy.

“These kids are great,” said host Carla Lowe at Little Italy. “They are so wholesome and brave, to sing in front of people.”

Zook approached Lowe earlier this summer presenting his idea of having a jam night in her restaurant. After selling the idea to Lowe, he started calling his friends and they scheduled the first jam on July 17.

Erik Wantland, of Warm Beach, heard about it and showed up to perform some of the eight songs on his sampler CD. A friend, Nate Stauffer, accompanied him on guitar.

“I started an open mic night at school last year, and I’ve been teaching guitar at the Fred Hutch Medical School,” said Zook, who was a member of Jazzmine and band at AHS. He has a band named Sea Fever with a fellow AHS grad, Annie Thordarson.

He put flyers around town and was happy to see aspiring musicians and poets walk in the door.

“I started talking to people and just hoped they would come because of the goodness in their hearts,” said Zook, who is also excited that he has been accepted into touring group of ten worship singers at SPU.

“Everyone is welcome to show up at Little Italy at

7 p.m. on Thursdays through the summer.”

Erik Wantland’s mother, Dawn Wantland, said she enjoyed the show.

“I’ve never been to Little Italy before,” she said. “It was a fun show.”