Over 20,000 youths between the ages of 18-21 are emancipated or “aged out” of the foster care system each year in the United States. Many times, they exit without family, employment, access to health care, continued educational opportunities, housing or transitional living arrangements, and often times the skills needed to create a life for themselves. Programs designed to provide support and inspiration to these young adults are on the rise.
Audiomachine and Create Now have come together to form Create Audio, a program that will bridge the gap for a group of youths who have been emancipated, have low income, or are underrepresented. The inaugural 20-week program began in August 2017, and will equip eight youth with the confidence and skills to build a life for themselves. They will be taught how to write, create, record, and produce music honing the skills required to have a career in the music industry, and bring them one step closer to fulfilling their dreams.
The team has built a small studio at Create Now’s Los Angeles headquarters consisting of the latest equipment, programs, and software which will be taught in depth over the 20 weeks.
The program will be led by head engineer, Michael Williams Evans who was long time apprentice and assistant to the Grammy award winning engineer Neil Pough. Graduating with a B.A. in Entrepreneurship from Jackson State University, Michael currently works for the Santa Monica School District as a special needs educator.
The program is facilitated and organized by artist, entrepreneur, and activist Jhamasa Noel Lewis-Adams. As a teenager, she was a student of Black Eyed Peas’ Peapod Music and Arts academy located at the Boys and Girls Club in Watts, CA. She went on to receive her B.A. in Entrepreneurship from Jackson State University in 2013, which is where she met Michael. She currently serves as an advocate for foster youth.
Other teachers include teachers Gabe Rosales, Neal Pough, and vocalist Olivia Walker. Paul Dinletir, Kevin Rix, and Steffan Koch will be able to share their experience and strengths as volunteers for the program.
We look forward to sharing the journey of these youth and the music that they create as the year unfolds! We are truly grateful for Create Now, as it is their love and care that has made this possible.
