Create Now! Programs Information
We help kids in trouble turn their lives around
Create Now! changes the lives of high-risk and at-risk youth through creative arts mentoring, resources and opportunities.
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Sound Off!
Create Now! has five main programming areas within our music program which include: private lessons, group lessons, music appreciation, motivational drumming and rap workshops, and music talent shows. Create Now! also has a small recording studio, where kids get to record their songs and also learn how to produce music. The young artists are guided in their careers as their original music is developed. Also, through one-on-one mentoring, Create Now! is able to match aspiring young musicians with professionals, opening new doors for troubled youth.
PROGRAM 1: Private and Semi-private Lessons. By matching aspiring young musicians with professionals, Create Now! opens new doors for troubled youth. This one-one-one mentoring provides the young person with a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with professional and sometimes famous musicians. One example of the success of this program was in 2005, when we introduced 16-year old Frank, a young man who was on probation and had recently been in a detention center, to smooth jazz artist Michael Lington, his saxophone idol. Their time together was not only informative, but also inspirational, as Frank is now going to community college and continuing to play the saxophone.
"I’m very glad Create Now! exists, because without this program, I’d still be doing the bad stuff I was doing like ditching school and doing drugs. This gave me a second chance to do something good and to show off the talent I have." – Frank, former resident of Masada Homes (pictured right with mentor Jazz Artist Michael Lingto)
PROGRAM 2: Group Instrument Workshops. Through group instruction, Create Now! provides troubled youth with a creative outlet that jumpstarts their self-esteem. Projects may include a guitar class for 5-8 young people, ages 13-18 or an introduction to the flute. Participants are first introduced to the instrument and learn basic cords and simple songs. As students become more advanced, more challenging pieces are given.
“I get to learn the chords and I’m learning a new song. It feels good. I’d probably just play video games or do nothing if I didn’t have this workshop. It helps me stay more active and it’s fun. I’m going to keep playing the guitar.” – Nick, Gardner House
PROGRAM 3: Motivational Drumming and Rap Workshops. Internationally renowned drummer and motivational speaker Mark Schulman, recently on tour with Pink!, leads these high impact presentations in tandem with Create Now! program graduates. These workshops motivate kids in trouble with the law to make better choices for their lives. Students are encouraged to write down rhymes and stories to create rap music. Many youth in the audience perform their original music in front of their peers and staff, which builds their confidence and self-esteem. This seminar motivates participants to identify their goals in life and improve their academic skills.
“I had fun playing with the drums. It was like a big ‘therapy session.’ You also gave me a lot of courage and helped me realize that it’s my choice to do right or wrong. It’s really on me if I want to be somebody in life.” – Manual, Phoenix House
PROGRAM 4: Music Appreciation. One of our most popular workshops is with Julliard graduate Beth Sussman, who leads classical music appreciation seminars for younger children recovering from abuse. The program plants the seeds for musical appreciation and growth throughout their lives, by utilizing famous classical music that is also used in cartoons and video games, so the children can relate to it. Through Create Now!, youth are exposed to a variety of musical styles, such as jazz, blues, country and world music.
"I liked when Ms. Sussman played the Bugs Bunny song. It was very cool when she told us what the pedals do. She taught us classical music is everywhere. Some of the songs made me laugh. They were fun. I am thankful that she came to visit." – Mickey, Hathaway Children’s Services
PROGRAM 5: Music Talent Shows. Youth perform at talent shows in front of their peers and staff at the facilities, and sometimes for the general public. They get the opportunity to write and perform their own lyrics and music, which greatly enhances their self-esteem and self-worth. Workshops are held to engage the students and prepare them for the performance. For many youth who have led troubled lives, this is often the first positive reinforcement they have ever experienced. Michael Monroe (known as recording artist K.L.), got his start at a Create Now! Talent Show and today is not only recording his own albums, but he is also mentoring high-risk youth by recording and producing their music as well.
“Being in the Music Talent Show at Camp Miller made me want to do right instead of wrong. It made me believe in myself and it made me want to take my career to the next level. It gave me confidence.” – Michael Monroe, former resident of Camp Fred Miller
Featured Sound Off! Programs:
Camp Holton Music Program Inspires Youth