Add Joy to Learning

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PRESS NOTES


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BMI To Present Music, Money Panel

March 21, 2005

Add Joy to Learning -- a non-profit educational program to prepare inner-city youth for music careers -- has linked with BMI to present industry panel and artist showcase, "Music, Money & Success."

The event, which will take place Tuesday (March 22) at the Cutting Room in Manhattan, will feature a panel discussion, "From I-Inspiration to I-Tunes to I-Pod to I-Cash," lead by producer Micheal Castaldo of Vital Records. He will be joined by panelists from Atlantic Records, Vibe magazine and TVT Records, among other industry figures.

The event will feature performances by numerous new artists and a special appearance by former Motown Records act Grenique.

For more information visit www.ajlmusic.com or www.bmi.com.

Newsday Everyday Hero, New York, Logo

Photo of Ms. LevineMusician Brings Music to the Disadvantaged

Last year, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton commended music educator Audrey Levine for her efforts to "bring music and business education to young people who might not otherwise have such exposure or opportunities." She was referring to the nonprofit program Levine founded in 1990 to teach inner-city youth about the music industry. Add Joy to Learning Inc. (AJL) is a free after-school program for youth between 16 and 21 from all five boroughs. Based at Manhattan's Public School Repertory for the Performing Arts, AJL's weekly workshops provide the knowledge and skills for careers as songwriters, producers, managers, audio engineers and other behind-the-scenes positions.

"I love working with the kids because they are so creative," Levine says. "They bring in original songs that were made up using computer-generated music." She points out that most of her students are economically disadvantaged. "They are very motivated to make a better life for themselves and their families. That is what inspires me to work with them." To date, over 200 students have participated in the program and have gone on to succeed in their careers. AJL's first student now owns a video production company and travels the world making documentaries for cable television networks. Another was commissioned to write lyrics for rapper Lil' Kim and several more have landed jobs with record companies, recording studios and artist management companies.

Throughout her career, Levine, 46, has taught students from over 40 different countries. For eleven years, she taught music at Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day High School and later at the Bayard Rustin High School for the Humanities. Nowadays, she is an itinerant music teacher for New York City public schools, traveling to different special education schools throughout the city to touch even more lives with the joy of music and song. In addition to teaching, she is an accomplished pianist and vocalist.

"Audrey's efforts to reach out and educate the inner city youth through AJL and her commitment to educating disabled students in the New York City school system about music despite her own disability are an inspiration to all of us," says her cousin Stuart Gordon. Levine, who has been visually impaired all of her life, was raised in Monticello, New York and resides in Manhattan. She earned a bachelor's degree in music business from New York University and a Master of Arts in music performance from Hunter College.

- Claire Curry

Copyright 2005 Newsday Inc.


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AJL Spring 2005 Showcase A Great Success



New York City-On Tuesday, March 22nd, 2005, Add Joy to Learning (AJL), a nonprofit program dedicated to teaching the youth population the various aspects of the music industry, held its Spring 2005 showcase. This event was sponsored by BMI and took place at the Cutting Room, a music-industry venue famous for presenting up-and-coming talent.

A panel discussion entitled "Music, Money & Success … From I-Inspiration to I-Tunes to I-Pod to I-Cash" took place from 6 to 7 PM. The panelists were: P ALIGN=JUSTIFY STYLE="FONT-FAMILY: baskerville old face, roman, arial; SIZE=5">New York City-On Tuesday, March 22nd, 2005, Add Joy to Learning (AJL), a nonprofit program dedicated to teaching the youth population the various aspects of the music industry, held its Spring 2005 showcase. This event was sponsored by BMI and took place at the Cutting Room, a music-industry venue famous for presenting up-and-coming talent.

Panel moderator: michéal CASTALDO: Producer, Vital Records

The panelists shared their expertise, and all attendees learned a great deal.

The AJL I-Artist Showcase (Hosted by Sweeney Steed) took place from 7 to 8 PM. Performers included:

David Medina, a veteran AJL student, spoke of his success as a music producer; his songs were given to several rap and R&B recording artists. He encouraged all students to stay involved with AJL-the networking and educational opportunities are boundless.

All in all, the showcase was a great success: Everyone had a great time and they learned a lot.

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Voices of Tomorrow Showcase and Panel



Thursday, January 30, 2003 7 to 9p.

@ Walker Stage, 56 Walker St., NYC

Sponsored by BMI and Add Joy to Learning (AJL)



Showcasing:


Panelists:


Moderator:

Renee Foster, CEO, Renegade Public Relations Inc.


Emcee:

Cinti Laird, of "Cinti's Comedy Pageant"



Picture of panelists gathering before the event

The panelists gather before the event: (bottom row, l-r) Wallace Collins, Alex Forbes, Andre Mullen, Al Smith, Jamell Powell, (top row, l-r) Cinti Laird, Audrey Levine, BMI's Brooke Primont, and Chay Alexander.



Picture of Raheem Clark leading finale

Raheem Clark leads the finale.


Photos by Brooke Primont and Eric Miller

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AJL Students Tour Radio Station WBLS-FM



New York City-On Friday, June 21, 2002, the students of Add Joy to Learning (AJL) visited and were given a tour of radio station WBLS. Our tour guide, Stacy Anderson, showed us the various studios and equipment that are used for the station's day-to-day operations.

The first room they visited was the Music Library. This room has lots of shelving for the vinyl records (which are not used much anymore, but are there for reference) and many cabinets for the compact discs (which are used on a regular basis).

The next stop was FM1, the Production studio. This room is considered the "heart" of the station because all of the commercials, sound effects, and other necessary promotion items are produced here. Terence, the audio engineer, explained how each piece of equipment functions: for example, the mixing board is used to set volume levels and it allows him to "mix" voices, music, etc. There are various types of recording machines in the room as well.

The next stop was FM2. This room is used as a backup production studio when FM1 is occupied and the project cannot wait to be completed.

The students' favorite room was the On-Air Studio. Egypt, the DJ/host was "on the air" at the time. She was kind enough to let us watch her work; she showed us the various pieces of equipment she uses: a computer that cues up the songs; another computer that cues and plays commercials; yet another computer that regulates her phone lines (so she can take requests, etc.), and a mixing board that allows her to "mix" her voice and the music.

The students also had the opportunity to meet Champagne, the air personality who is on the air from 2 to 6 AM. She told them how she got her job: she sent a multi-colored telegram to the late Frankie Crocker (Program Director at the time) requesting a job at WBLS. He was quite impressed with her creativity and hired her. Her message to the students: Live your dreams. If you would like a career in radio, start with an internship at a radio station; if you make yourself available, you have a great chance of getting hired. Most air personalities start out by gaining experience at a small town radio station, and then moving to a larger city (market).

The students would like to thank Ms. Anderson for giving a most informative tour of WBLS. They had a great time and learned a great deal.



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Recording Artist Speaks at AJL Class



New York City-On Friday, February 15th, recording artist Reyn and his manager, Richard Willis visited Add Joy to Learning (AJL)'s "Music Industry Seminar" workshop.

Reyn is a rapper who is currently seeking a record deal. There are a few record companies that are interested in this talented young man. Reyn and (manager) Richard are looking forward to attending several music industry conventions where they will play his demo tape, and hope that one of these "bigwigs" will believe that Reyn will be a major success and sign him to a record label.

Reyn played his demo for the students. Each song contained a different theme (love, strumming his guitar, meeting a lady at a dance, and other catchy themes). Each song was constructed around a catchy "hook" which leaves no doubt that Reyn will have no trouble landing a record deal. Unlike most rappers, Reyn's material sends a positive message and there was no profanity anywhere on this demo.

Richard told the students about how he and Reyn began their relationship. At the time of their meeting, Richard was working with a theatre company. He heard Reyn rapping and was quite impressed with his talent. Richard then asked Reyn if he would like to pursue a career in the music industry and he got very excited. However, Richard made Reyn "pay his dues" by putting him to work for the theatre company. Reyn's initial jobs were to clean the chairs for the audience, load and unload the props for transporting to the next venue, and other backbreaking tasks. At last, Richard was satisfied with Reyn's commitment and decided that Reyn was ready to pursue his career. Reyn and Richard put the demo of seven songs together and are now in the process of "shopping" it.

The students enjoyed Reyn's visit and wish him the best of luck. They are looking forward to having him visit again real soon.



FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Audrey J. Levine, Director
P. O. Box 1214 Stuyvesant Station, New York, NY 10009
(212) 995-1137
Click here to send an e-mail



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