Send Sessions LA some love. I am super proud of a former Sessions LA youth/instructor who is my first mentee and now a college grad. 5 years ago Laurent thought college wasn't for him, but too many folks in the community wouldn't let him fail. This past June Laurent graduated and although I couldn't be at his graduation because I was working one for my day job, I am ecstatic. Yes Laurent is a Sessions LA success story. A knucklehead like Laurent stayed off the street by hanging out in Strawberry Farm Boy Mike's old SIPA office by being the first Sessions student learing how to dj on Mike's turntables.
They are currently raising funds for Sessions LA Summer Institute. What is that? Here's what's listed on the Indiegogo campaign:
What is the Sessions LA Summer Institute?
Sessions LA's Summer Institute is a 3-month intensive summer music program organized and run by Sessions LA. It is targeted to youth ages 15 to 20 years that have either some musical training or have participated in our Fall & Spring Sessions program. The Summer Institute's goal is to draw from and build upon the beginner & intermediate level DJ, Production, Recording, and Writing / Vocal Performance skills learned in our Fall & Spring Sessions to produce an original album focused around the theme of "Roots". Through this process, we hope that the young artists can not only improve upon their music performance and technology skills, but also will find a stronger voice in using their artforms to tell the stories of their community.
Support more success stories like Laurent. I currently have a deal with Jaffar, a former Sessions LA student turned Instructor, that if he graduates from college I will cover a ticket to Disneyland. At least 2 other folks are in on this deal (I'm looking at you Ali and Bev!)
What is the Sessions LA Summer Institute?
Sessions LA's Summer Institute is a 3-month intensive summer music program organized and run by Sessions LA. It is targeted to youth ages 15 to 20 years that have either some musical training or have participated in our Fall & Spring Sessions program. The Summer Institute's goal is to draw from and build upon the beginner & intermediate level DJ, Production, Recording, and Writing / Vocal Performance skills learned in our Fall & Spring Sessions to produce an original album focused around the theme of "Roots". Through this process, we hope that the young artists can not only improve upon their music performance and technology skills, but also will find a stronger voice in using their artforms to tell the stories of their community.
Support more success stories like Laurent. I currently have a deal with Jaffar, a former Sessions LA student turned Instructor, that if he graduates from college I will cover a ticket to Disneyland. At least 2 other folks are in on this deal (I'm looking at you Ali and Bev!)
I get my "serve the people" gene from my family. As much as I wish I could abide by the Gordon Gecko mantra of "Greed is Good" and be a shady millionaire, my quality of life is intrinsically tied to helping the community. All that helping your fellow man stuff I learned from too many years of catholic school stuck. Also the fact that our family history (two granduncles who are WWII vets, a grandaunt who was a judge, an uncle who was a mayor) has ties to civic duty and serving the people.
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