Boys and Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes launches new music programs

Innovative music and arts programs for youth and children are being launched at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes (BGCKL) with the help of the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation (KLCFDC) and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) and local donors.

The Youth Music Makers program will introduce youth aged 12 – 17 to concepts of music creation, songwriting, instrumental music, music recording and video production, event planning and live production. The program will be housed in The Warehouse which offers youth services Monday to Friday after school and contains a recording studio. In addition, the club will develop summer camp programming for 2020, and develop ways the community can access the studio.

“The Warehouse already offers many advantages – a hot meal, homework help, physical activity, counselling and supports, life skills training and leadership – music will be an exciting addition,” says Amy Terrill, Executive Director. “Not only does our curriculum promise to capture the imagination of young people with a passion for music, there is plenty of evidence that music also produces other cognitive, academic and social benefits.”

Under the Rural Innovation Initiative Eastern Ontario (RIIEO) a project funded by the FedDev Ontario, the Kawartha Lakes Community Futures Development Corporation has provided an investment of $39,850 over two years. This funding has enabled BGCKL to hire a full-time music supervisor, Tanner Paré, who will manage the program and create other innovative music opportunities at the club. Paré is trained in sound engineering and production, is a professional drummer, and a member of the band The Kents.

KLCFDC Board Chair, Jill Quast expresses “The KLCFDC is pleased to support the continued growth of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes with the creation of the Youth Music Makers Program. In the words of Bruno Mars: ‘You can’t knock on opportunity’s door and not be ready.’ This new program will be such a great development opportunity for youth in our community; to expand their musical production knowledge and ready them for their futures. We are so proud to be part of this project that will add new local jobs, as well as mentorship opportunities for these teens.”

Numerous other artists and music professionals will also help deliver coaching and workshops throughout the 20-week program including: Kylie Berry (McCullough), Dante Winkler, Brian Pickett of Voodoo Highway Music (whose credits include Paw Patrol), members of Skydiggers and Canada’s Music Incubator.

“The Club’s music studio is a terrific resource for the community and creating ways for the studio to be accessed will be important to our program’s sustainability,” says Terrill. “The community will also be invited to engage with the program through events that will be hosted at The Warehouse throughout the year.”

Applications for the program will be accepted until September 17, 2019. For more information about the program, please contact or visit www.bgckl.com