By Edward Brown
If the current crop of reality shows is to be believed, to make it big in the music industry today all an aspiring young artist has to do is compete successfully on a nationally syndicated television show. Every so often these staged events do turnout legitimate talent but for the most part, shows like these force star struck neophytes to abandon their self respect in the faint hope of achieving speedy success.
The path to music industry success doesn?t have to be paved with televised humiliation. Just ask enthusiastic participants involved with the Liberty Silver Foundation of the Arts? (LSFA) Youth-In-Music program. Established in 2011 by the affable Juno and Grammy winning songstress, the foundation aims to inform young people of the ins and outs of the music biz. ?After years in the trenches, Liberty Silver has a breadth of experience to share.
The arts-centric program is formatted around mentorship, leadership training and academic support. The eight-week course covers everything from vocal lessons to music industry basics, including workshops on management, fashion, recording techniques and even CD cover design. Participants are given an opportunity to record in a professional recording studio.
Enrolment is free. Participants range in age from 7 to 17. The foundation works with a number of community partners including Boys & Girls Clubs of Peel, United Way of Peel and the Mississauga Arts Council.
Current LSFA vice-chair, Rome Sinclair, co-founded the organization with Silver. A native Chicagoan with a background in social work, Sinclair said the foundation approach is two pronged. The LSFA combines real life experiences with the creative arts. ?I take what I know from a social work perspective and apply it on a creative level,? he? said.
Liberty Silver?s enthusiasm for the foundation is contagious. On the final evening of the spring session, LSFA hosted an event at West Credit Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario where students showcased all they had learned. This was not your typical high school auditorium performance. It was much better. Informal yet informative, Silver?s personable approach is ideally suited for working with youth. She stresses the importance of learning the business from the ground up. Encouraging, humouring and gently goading the performers, participants respond positively.
Before the performance even begins, Silver is quick to pounce on a teachable moment. Three professional musicians are on hand to accompany the performers. Each is asked to introduce themselves by sharing a snippet of insight regarding their experience in the business.
The evening proves to be a combination of a life class and musician?s clinic. Besides performances, there is a costume and makeup tutorial, a ballroom dance lesson and refreshments.? There is also an open mic session.
Seventeen-year-old Khadijah Lopez is new to the group. Similar in appearance as Measha Brueggergosman (with hair to match) Lopez?s voice is reminiscent of a young Etta James. With confidence to spare, she launches into an impromptu scat performance, wowing the audience. ?The surprise of the night comes when a mother of a participant takes mic in hand and belts out an Al Green classic.
The strength of the foundation lies in Silver?s uncanny ability to meld learning with fun. Instead of pointing adolescence toward quick fame, the Liberty Silver Foundation of the Arts? guides young people on a path to accomplishment.
Before the evening ends, a parent in attendance calls out from the back, ?We need more of this?. We sure do.
Photos by Rome Sinclair
?
Related Articles:
national weather service weather radar brian wilson storm chasers david blaine derek jeter gotye
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.