CREATEFree Music Studio Access for Students of Los Angeles
ESR wishes to play a part of Boyle Heights' musical history, and by opening it's doors for an after school program, we will continue the flow of great musicianship coming out of the neighborhood. This would be a first of it's kind opportunity for the youth of LA to have sound-proofed studios to practice in at full volume, state of the art music equipment at their disposal, and a safe creative environment in which to practice music and let their ideas flow.
In what areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
East LA
How do you plan to use these resources to make change?
Implement a pilot or new project
Expand a pilot or a program
Advocate with policymakers and leaders
How will your proposal improve the following CREATE metrics?
Employment in the creative industries
Arts establishments per capita
Minority- and women-owned firms
Measures of cultural and global economic influence (“soft power”) (Dream Metric)
Recruiting and retention rates for local higher education institutions (Dream Metric)
Percentage of graduates from local higher education institutions that remain in LA County 5 years after graduating (Dream Metric)
Describe in greater detail how you will make LA the best place to CREATE.
We live in the entertainment capitol, with the music industry based in Los Angeles. With gentrification happening at an alarming rate in DTLA, there are closures of music rehearsal studios and rental rooms going up in price. I decided to build a rehearsal space in Boyle Heights where there was none, and plan to open our doors for students to use the facility for free with grant money.
Being a musician has allowed me to travel the world, record records, sell music to film and TV, and has given me a purpose to share my vision and ideas. I want to be an example to the young people here in LA to show them that anything is possible with practice and discipline. And by giving them a space to do this in a neighborhood like Boyle Heights will surely foster some incredible ideas.
Findings indicate that music study uniquely enhances higher brain functions required for reading, mathematics, chess, science, and engineering. If I can be a small but positive change to give back to my community, this would be it. I know from experience that having a creative outlet is so important in keeping kids off the streets and out of trouble. Most kids just need a chance, some guidance and discipline. Music can give them that and so much more.
Please explain how you will evaluate your work.
Adventures in the arts and music expand who we are as human beings. It is part of our spiritual advancement in the ways we communicate - through melody, rhythms and lyrics- breaking down barriers, and allowing us to experience true happiness.
Research also shows that music can relieve stress, lower blood pressure, and help relieve pain.
We will evaluate our work through the musical advancement of the youth that utilize this program. With the youth bands that form at ESR, we would showcase a live performance at an all ages venue in Boyle Heights so they would be able to have the experience of playing live in front of an audience.
More musicians make a better environment. Art makes a better city and ultimately a better world.
How can the LA2050 community and other stakeholders help your proposal succeed
Money (financial capital)
Publicity/awareness (social capital)
Community outreach
Network/relationship support