Youth On Record-Aspiring Musicians

by Tanya Houle, Teacher @ Devereux Cleo Wallace

[email protected]

[email protected]

Coming from a family with a rich musical background, I can relate to how important the art of music is in one’s life, to the development of one’s whole being, and the value of expressing oneself through it. I grew up with a variety of music. I am Native American, and for us song is a way of prayer, healing and a way to pass down our traditions. My father was a well-known country musician from North Dakota who performed on the show Star Search. Although he didn’t win, he earned his stripes getting there, even having a fan bus follow him wherever he went. My grandfather was a well-known fiddle player in his community, and often traveled into Canada by invitation for his admirers to hear his music. Once I got to middle school, and throughout high school, I developed my own talent in singing and learning various instruments in a band. Through these experiences I’ve grown to appreciate the value music has in ones life and the importance of expressing yourself through the art of music. Now, my son is expressing his being in a band called Ascending Lines. He turns to his guitar when life is pressing down on him and writes his own songs.

As a teacher at Devereux Cleo Wallace, a residential treatment facility for at risk youth, I had two young and ambitious gentlemen, Nathan and Aaron, with their program, Youth on Record, fall into my classroom one day and now know them as a BLESSING! Our students have responded extremely well to the Youth On Record program. I have seen students excel to above and beyond expectations of our program in the Youth on Record program. Most of our students struggle with basic appropriate social skills. Nathan and Aaron have brought a great, positive energy, as well as role-playing of positive social interaction, to our milieu. With Youth on Record bringing out the best in our students, they have been able to experience unbelievable opportunities such performing on the Flobots stage, recording and producing at Cherry Sound Studios with owner Chris Guillot, and have learned music appreciation through well-known artists. The students have been able to express themselves through the use of their own music, which for them is a healthy, therapeutic, and lifelong coping mechanism. Nathan and Aaron have provided students the tools to create productive material. Our students have grown into well-rounded inspired individuals who make me proud to be a part of it all, as well as having Youth on Record in my classroom. Nathan and Aaron are a blessing and are great at what they do.

Youth on Record teaches music production and lyric writing to youth in residential treatment centers across greater Metro Denver and are a program of Flobots.org.

Tanya Houle is a teacher at Devereux Cleo Wallace and has been working with Youth On Record for two years.

Tags: flobots.org, youth on record, devereux cleo wallace, ascending lines, star search, cherry sound studios, chris guilt

Category: The Future