The youth is on record

Photo: Courtesy of Youth on Record

By Cat Evans

Photos Courtesy of Youth on Record

Creative outlets, art, expression, and soul, are a few underemphasized, necessary elements of our existence that not everyone has access to. Many are unfamiliar with how to engage with those elements of themselves whatsoever, as our society does not directly cater to or encourage those extracurriculars. Founded in 2008, Denver-based Youth on Record (YOR), a small nonprofit located at 1301 W. 10th Ave., is here to change that.

There is little debate regarding the impact creativity has on the youth. In their “About Us” section on youthonrecord.org, YOR immediately informs visitors that “education and art, when integrated under the right framework, are powerful tools toward liberation and equity.”

 The mission is bigger than a moment. According to their website, YOR offers programs that are “intended to equip young people from historically under-resourced communities with the skills needed to find success in life by advancing their academic success, increasing their economic opportunities and career skills, and strengthening their community connections and networks.”

 At Youth on Record, social justice and music production come hand in hand. They teach things like creative writing, alongside historical classes. All classes are integrated into programs for schools with underprivileged students. When YOR started, there were only three staff members. Today, there are about 18.

YOR also offers programs outside of school. “FEMpower” is a program for femme-identifying or non-identifying people. “It has a lot to do with social justice issues, how to be heard,” said Jelie Jones, a teacher at YOR.

 An artist and musician herself, Jones’ work is splashed all over the Denver music scene — performing live sets with collaborators, producing beats, running an educational YouTube channel on beat making — going so far as to have performed her own TedTalk. She is a specific type of creative who has found success in her own journey through collaboration and outreach.

“Open Lab” is another of the many programs Youth on Record offers. As Jones explained, “Youth can get studio sessions, first come, first served. They really learn what it’s like to be in the booth.”

According to Jones, self-mastery and control are key components in production rates and ability. The program teaches students how to mix and master their songs.

The program also offers guitar lessons and access to Ableton, a complex, pricey tool considered a staple software in music production. Ableton Live retails at a base price of $749 for six months. “We do Ableton live workshops, how to make your drums bounce etc.,” said Jones.

YOR also allows and encourages people to collaborate while they are working on their own forms of art. “They can sit anywhere in the space and be cozy while they chill, vibe and get feedback from us directly,” said Jones. “There are always activities running simultaneously.”

Schools initiate the contract with Youth on Record, and then they send a teaching artist out to middle schools or high schools two to three times per week.

YOR has structures focused on podcasting, as well. Podcasting is a lot of different components, and Youth on Record helps with production, release, and recording, along with mixing/mastering the podcast audio. That is one of Jones’ specialties with the organization.

There is a major internship focus through Denver Public Schools. Currently, there are four interns from CU Denver that work for Youth on Record. These are paid internships, and UCD interns are given a $500 stipend per month.

“Making sure everyone gets paid is what is important to having young people show up,” Jones emphasized. “When they hit 14, they’re able to go to work. It’s important that they can leave that job and contribute with us at Youth on Record as there is an opportunity to get paid there.” YOR pays young producers to use their beats non-exclusively on podcasts.

 Speaking about the staff, Jones noted there is little room for fault-finding or underwhelming passion with the curated lineup of staff members. “We have great teachers. A lot of teachers. We all learn from each other, and that’s the best part about a team. Sometimes there’s a weak link on the team – that’s not the case here. There are no weak links.”

There is heavy emphasis on communication with children. Jones believes that to bridge gaps, adults need to work to engage with the youth. “A lot of teachers lose their cool, and the kids look at them funny for that. It’s a problem I noticed in school. The teachers didn’t know how to communicate with us. They showed their emotions in a negative way, and we knew they were there only for the money.” Jones is firm in her approach with the students and their need for genuine connection and comfort to create high-impact dynamics between teachers and students.

Before they even begin any class, the teachers check in with the students to see where they are mentally and emotionally — using universally identifiable signs like emojis to show where they are emotionally on any given day. There are various tactics used by teachers to simply check on students to say how are you doing? A strategy YOR deems vital. 

A lot of times, the trust barrier between student and teacher is ignored. Youth on Record prioritizes transparency and ease to ensure each student is comfortable with the level of engagement for their chosen program. A student needs to be able to feel like they can express themselves. Shining a light on that barrier that can exist between students and authority figures, Jones explained, “It’s important for them to know [they can express themselves] because often, they are targets.”

 Jones teaches audio and anything to do with beat making. “I float around a lot. You want to learn to make beats? I can show you to make beats. Ableton, Pro Tools, Fruity Loops, and so on.”

Additionally, she teaches podcasting, which involves mixing vocals. “It’s similar to hip hop but without the beat,” said Jones. She also teaches students how to record, edit, and distribute it.

These programs exist, like any other regular class inside of schools, and are worth credits for graduation. YOR has found much success in integrating into these spaces filled with the next generation. To learn more about YOR, or their successes and motivations moving forward, visit their website youthonrecord.org.