Urbanarts Community Arts Council: beats.mind.movement

http://www.urbanartstoronto.com/

The beats.mind.movement initiative is a 12-week music production training program for youth living in the Weston-Mt.Dennis community. Youth learn the technical elements of music production through group lessons and one-on-one tutoring.

Using mobile computers and production software, youth gain valuable skills in computer technology. In addition to the workshops, youth are exposed to non-urban musical traditions by attending concerts and workshops by guest speakers.  At the end of each session the youth produce a compilation CD and hold a community concert featuring participants and local urban and non-urban musical artists. "

Since receipt of YCF funding in March 2007, 104 young people have learned the fundamentals of music production. The initiative has produced three compilation CD's featuring participant compositions. The initiative has created opportunities for cross-cultural collaborations as participants of diverse cultural backgrounds explore and share their musical traditions with their peers.

Through additional funding, the initiative has been able to build a professional in-house studio for youth to further develop their musical talents. As a result, the initiative has expanded their training opportunities to include workshops on: song writing, vocal and post-production techniques and music entrepreneurship. Through partnerships with other YCF funded initiatives such as FYI, Hispanic Youth Alive and Lost Lyrics, the initiative has been able to offer programming in other communities.