Kitchener supports hands-on training for teens interested in audio production

This spring, The City of Kitchener Music Office partnered with House of Friendship to launch a music and technology pilot project for teens in the Courtland Shelley neighborhood. The Creative Recording Initiative (CRI) offered neighborhood teens the opportunity to gain hands-on experience learning audio recording and music production from local professionals, with the goal of creating opportunities for the next generation of music engineers, producers, composers, and performers.

“This collaborative project will give a new generation of artists the tools and coaching to grow their skills, enhance their projects, and become a fresh, new part of Kitchener’s rich music scene,” said Ward 2 Councillor Dave Schnider.

“Our community really shines when we come together to build opportunities for youth,” said Bob Egan, Music Officer for the City of Kitchener. “I’m very proud and grateful for the support this pilot program has received and am looking forward to fine-tuning it to roll out in additional areas of the city.”

Thanks to the generosity of local donors, five local teens, selected by House of Friendship staff, participated in the pilot program of the CRI from April 26 to June 14. Each teen received their own personal audio recording rig, including a MacBook, microphone, headphones, keyboard, and the accessories needed to produce music.

“Having access to a recording rig is a game-changer in terms of mastering the technology and the creative process,” said Jorge Pineda, music producer from Just Ideas, based out of the City’s creative hub at 44 Gaukel. Pineda and fellow music producer, Josh Polasz, conducted weekly workshops in the newly built recording studio in House of Friendship’s Courtland Shelley community center.

During the pilot of the CRI, participants created an original song. ‘On My Own’ was written by Fredlyne Kayee and Demaya Green, beats created by Rikik Woldemichael, and produced by Just Ideas. A short documentary was also created and can be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel.

Support for the Creative Recording Initiative was provided by Centre In The Square, Communitech, and Cook Homes, with additional equipment donated by local resident, Stephen Dunnington. It is inspired in part by the Remix Project in Toronto, cited by multiple Juno Award winners as a factor in their success.

For more information, contact:

Bethany Rowland
Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing
bethany.rowland@kitchener.ca