JACKSONVILLE, Fla -- A Jacksonville dentist is using his musical talent to raise money to send at-risk students to college.

Dr. Nabil Hirezi grew up in a musically talented family in Israel.  He later moved to Kuwait where he formed with a band, then to the Philippines, where his musical career took off. 

He said he got a music manager and started making albums. "I love to sing," said Hirezi.

Despite his passion for music, Hirezi took a break from it for about seven years when he moved to Jacksonville and began his career as a dentist. It wasn't until a family tragedy that music returned to his life.

"I lost my niece in 2006 in a car accident," he explained.

He says his niece loved music and had worked passionately with at-risk teens. Hirezi decided to combine the two in her memory.

He went back to the recording studio to produce new CDs, which he sells for a donation in his office and at occasional performances. Money raised goes to pay for college for at-risk students, he said.

Despite his busy schedule between the office and the recording studio, he said he's not slowing down anytime soon.

First Coast News