Give a Beat 2022 Impact Report
2022:
A Record
Setting Year
Give a Beat’s mission is to use the power of music as a pathway to healing and opportunity for those impacted by the criminal justice system.
We envision a world where those most affected adversely by incarceration are not only shown compassion and dignity, but empowered to forge talents and creative careers.
Give a Beat addresses the continuum of incarceration by using music as a catalyst for change. Through our Youth Music Production and DJ Program, Prison Electronic Music Program, “On a New Track” Reentry Mentoring Program, and Give a Beat Records, we engage the music industry to help widen pathways for people to thrive, reduce recidivism, encourage empathy, and unite to contribute to the larger transformation of the criminal justice system.
Youth Music Production & DJ Program
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Youth Music Production & DJ Program 🎹
Youth Music Production & DJ Program
In partnership with the Arts for Healing & Justice Network, Give a Beat delivers our music education to young people from underserved communities and high-stressed environments.
With music and the arts serving as preventative tools, our Youth Music Production & DJ Program reaches youth from underserved communities in high-stressed environments, offering a positive emotional outlet through music. Our aim is to provide channels for creative expression, help youth identify their creative talents, build self-esteem, strengthen resilience against racial injustice and ultimately redirect lives to reduce further involvement with the criminal justice system.
Curriculum Outcomes
Redirecting Lives
Building Self-Esteem
Creative Self-Expression
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DJ Unknown at Roosevelt Park.
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Raashey (participant) and Malachi (Teaching Artist) in Fresh Tracks.
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Teaching Artist, Spiñorita, going through the basics of DJing.
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Malachi and student working on Ableton equipment.
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Teaching Artist, Shaine, and students learning how to make beats.
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Raashey and JC in the C.A.P.O. Center studio, Fresh Tracks.
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Recording studio at Jail Guitar Doors C.A.P.O. (Community Arts Programming and Outreach) Center.
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Two students collaborating and DJing B2B at the parks.
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JC, Fresh Tracks participant, mastering his latest track.
1286
Participants Enrolled
292
Total Hours of Instruction
236
Total Workshops
2022 Youth Program Updates
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Doubling Our Youth Impact
The Arts for Healing & Justice Network (AHJN) asked Give a Beat to become the 15th member of their cohort at the end of 2021. They serve a s a key connector for several residencies, including schools, juvenile halls, temporary care shelters, and parks. Ever since, our youth program has been flourishing. In 2022, we reached over 1,200 young people. Within 1 year alone, we have doubled our impact compared to 2015-2021!
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Launching Fresh Tracks, a Youth Program
Fresh Tracks is a collaborative youth program for participants aged 18-24 years old between 3 members of the AHJN Network; Jail Guitar Doors, Street Poets, and Give a Beat. Participants learn the art of music production, individually create and record songs, and worked collaboratively on a group track. Located at the C.A.P.O. (Community Arts Programming and Outreach) Center, this class serves system-involved youth and participants from under-resources communities. The mission is to keep young people out of the system and provide pathways to music education and avenues for monetizing their original work.
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Youth Fellowship
Thanks to the California Arts Council, we won the “Jump StArts” grant which enables us to have our first-ever youth fellowship! Exceptional youth aged 18-24 will receive mentoring by music industry professionals to map out their goals, strengthen music skills, and network with other artists. This paid fellowship will cultivate pathways for creative careers and support young people in their artistic endeavors.
Prison Electronic Music Program
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Prison Electronic Music Program 🎧
Prison Electronic Music Program
In collaboration with Arts in Corrections, a program under the California Arts Council, the Prison Electronic Music Program is a 6 week curriculum providing a transformative music experience of self-expression, healing, education and transferable life skills.
Our Prison Electronic Music Program teaches music production and DJing, offering an outlet for creative expression and the opportunity to bring people together through music. This camaraderie facilitates positive social groups that break down racial barriers, improves relationships with peers and staff, and supports the well-being of all who are touched by the program. The course covers related and transferable business and life skills that can be applied while incarcerated and in preparation for reentry. Skills taught harness a cycle of chance that instills inspiration, empowerment, and ultimately reduces the risk of recidivism.
Curriculum Outcomes
Digital & Technical Literacy
Music as a mood-shifter, peace builder, tool for conflict resolution
Positive Social Groups
Curriculum Pillars
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Music History
House, Techno, Hiphop, Dub
Protest music, Chicano movement music
Jazz, blues, indigenous music
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Business & Branding Skills
Social media
Personal Brand Creation
Networking
Music Deals
Event production
Roles of DJ and Producer
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DJ Skills & Equipment
Music Theory
Music Software
History of DJ Equipment
MIDI, Drum Machine, Synthesizer, Sampler, Autotune
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Music for Personal Transformation
Healing
Reflection
Creative Expression
Building Community
Photos by Peter Mertz
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Chaz teaching music production techniques on Ableton equipment.
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A snapshot from the “opening circle.”
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Participants cheering on their fellow classmate as he learns to DJ.
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“Shared Agreements” are created through the voices of each participant to ensure Give a Beat is curating a safe space.
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Todd and participant celebrating a smooth DJ transition.
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Zeroh teaching participants how to make beats.
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Native Instruments Traktor turntables.
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Participants collaborating on a DJ Set.
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Participant learning the art of music production.
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The “opening and closing circle” is a core part of our class, carving out space to build camaraderie and to share what’s on their mind.
76
Participants Enrolled (in person & remote)
4
In-Person sessions
108
Total Hours of In-Person Instruction
27
In-Person Workshops
36
Packets Delivered
2022 Updates
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Winning AIC Contracts
We are thrilled to announce we have won 4 new contracts to expand our Prison Electronic Music Program! Since 2019, we have been operating in two California state prisons. Now, we have been awarded the opportunity to teach in 3 locations, amounting to 20 program cycles per year! This doubles our impact and enables us to reach 280 incarcerated people annually. We’re fortunate to have this opportunity to expand the reach of our robust music education and cultivate the chance to heal, inspire, and equip participants with the necessary skills to thrive.
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Remote Learning
COVID-19 is still dramatically impacting prisons and the ability to deliver programs. To ensure that we can still support the education and mental health of those we serve, we are continuing to deliver our “Weekly Artist Development Series.” Each homework assignment is reviewed and responded to by a Teaching Artist, providing participants the opportunity to remotely work 1:1 with personalized feedback. More details below.
Weekly Artist Development Series
Due to COVID-19, Give a Beat developed a written correspondence course consisting of homework packets containing the three following components:
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The Opening Act
Students focus on getting in the zone by practicing breathing, mindfulness, and affirmation exercises.
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Headliner
Students dive into the curriculum which covers music history, business development, and technical music equipment instruction.
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Afterhours
Students reflect on course material and their feelings by completing writing prompts. These prompts give them the opportunity to look deeper into the role of music and into their own lives.
91%
Reported an increase in team building and listening skills.
100%
Reported that music helps them handle general stress.
100%
Reported more camaraderie and less racial tension than anywhere else in the facility.
83%
Reported they are better at expressing their emotions.
On a New Track
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On a New Track 🎙️
On a New Track Reentry Mentoring Program
In collaboration with Anti Recidivism Coalition and California Mentoring Partnership, Give a Beat provides a cutting edge group mentoring model that connects music industry professionals with formerly incarcerated individuals.
Our unique On a New Track Reentry Mentoring Program launched in February 2021, training and mentoring seven people experiencing reentry throughout the 12-week course. The curriculum teaches the art of music production, DJing, related business and branding skills, while pairing participants with a music industry mentor. Participants gain experience in creating music, performing in front of a group, and forming proficiency in entrepreneurial skills in the music industry. The goal is to provide pathways to creative careers, thereby reducing the chance of recidivism while also opening the music industry to a more diverse group of artists.
Each participant creates an Artist Development Plan with their mentor, which is a timeline mapped out with goals specific to their ambitions. With the intent to support participants throughout the execution and implementation of their Artist Development Plan, we turned On a New Track into a year-round reentry program, where they maintain access to continuous support from their mentor and Give a Beat.
Curriculum Outcomes
Developing Entrepreneurial & Life Skills
Powering a Cycle of Change & Reducing Recidivism
Building Creative Career Pathways
Photos by Sue Hudelson
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Teaching Artist, Chaz, supporting geriFree.
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The “opening circle” lead by Teaching Artist, Billy.
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“On a New Track” graduates with Teaching Artists; Todd, Billy, and Chaz.
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Sithy getting familiar with Native Instrument’s Traktor turntables.
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Todd kicking off the class with an introduction to branding and business kills relevant to the music industry.
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Alejandra locked in while learning the ropes of DJing.
