DYS, DCF, Music Program
Program Directors
Boston
Hannah Slater
(Ms. Slater also servers as Out Reach Program Director)
Oliver Jacobson
(Mr. Jacobson also serves as After DYS Program Director)
LA
Alexis Gach
Eliot Short Term Treatment
is a residential treatment program under the DYS for committed males under the age of 21. Most of our clients are from the Boston area and neighboring communities that have been committed to E.S.T.T. in order to serve their sentences. The length of time varies pending individuals cases but can be anywhere from a few days to 9 months.
Judge Connelly Youth Center
Metro Youth Service CenterGenuine Voices’ flagship program is being implemented at the Boston Metro Youth Service Center’s Detention Unit. This program serves individuals who have been commited to the center while they await their court date or further placement in the justice system. They range in age from 11- 20 yrs. old and are at the center for up to 1 year.The Genuine Voices teaching staff brings one-on-one lessons to males at the center involving computer-based music production. They mainly focus on the software program Reason, which was donated by the M-Audio corporation. This project recently recieved the first Alumni Endowment Grant of $5,000 from the Berklee College of Music. The money will be used to purchase additional equipment such as microphones, a keyboard, and recording devices, which will greatly expand the possibilities of what the program can provide to these teens. This program has been very successful and has really made a difference in the lives of those who were involved.
“I think this class is very good because I’m really into music and it gives me an opportunity to use my interest to make something that’s my own. I’m learning how to do good beats, this is my first time in the classroom and I’m loving it. I am definitely looking forward to coming here every week, as long as I can. I plan on coming when the teachers aren’t here to work on my music, and play with the program to test it out and then have them review it on Friday. I thank whoever worked on getting this program here, and got us to be able to participate.”- age 17
“Well today was the first day I’ve been in the computer music class and I’ve enjoyed it a lot. Nowadays kids are into a few things such as sports and music and now are our chance to learn how to create music and make our own beats. It keeps us busy, has our mind working, because we’re constantly thinking and want to get things right. It benefits us in a lot of ways. I don’t like getting away from the computer once I actually sit down. I appreciate the class so much and it’s interesting and fun for everyone involved. This is definitely one program (class) that we all benefit from and enjoy and hope it would be able to continue on. I appreciate all the time and dedication the teachers from Berklee have shown and given us in their time here.”- age 20
“This program is beneficial in so many aspects, it brings the kids together to create and tutor each other, they give each other ideas, they are relating and working with adults in a cooperative environment, they have the desire to learn and produce more and the music program is helping them adjust in all to the environment they’re in. I along with the teachers here, the staff and the program would love to be able to continue this program and expand it to out 5 other programs within the building. I thank you for your time and investment in our programs.”
“Through this music program, by producing music with those teens who barely have a hope for their future, and are upset about their past, we can change their vision of life.”
The music program at the Boys and Girls Club Dorchester is the first program our organization has created. This program is offered in collaboration with Berklee’s Community and Government Affairs office. Many people and organizations came together to make this program possible. Berklee donated a laptop computer with a CD burner and sponsors students who travel to the club and teach individual lessons to club members on many different instruments as well as on computer music production. The M-Audio corporation donated the Reason software that students use to create their tracks. Also a very special donation of an upright piano was given to the program by Berklee and the Piano Forte corporation. For more information on programs offered at the Boys and Girls Club please visit: The Boys and Girls Club Dorchester
On January 2, 2003 Genuine Voices launched its first program on the west coast, in Skagit Valley, WA. This program was initiated by Juri while she was traveling in the area theprevious year. She had spent part of her senior year of high school as an exchange student at Burlington High School and wanted to return and give something back to the area. She was introduced to the At-Risk Intervention Specialist program and the Skagit Valley Family YMCA. These organizations were perfect matches to work with Genuine Voices on the goal of enhancing the lives and futures of youths using music. One year after this meeting Juri returned to the Skagit Valley with the support and funding that was needed to start the music program there. Once again Gary Karlsrud from the Midiman Corp. was very supportive and donated the Reason Software that the students use to create their tracks on the computer. Funds from the Berklee Alumni Grant were used to buy keyboards and computer interfaces for the 2 locations. Juri spent two weeks working with students in the area and her time finished off with 2 concerts in which students were able to showcase their talents and creations. Genuine Voices is currently seeking funding to pay for teachers who can continue to reach more youths in the area.