About this project

We believe that when our youth are given the tools to engage new technologies in creative ways they thrive. They move from passive consumers to critically engaged creators. Studies have shown that when young people are involved in the arts, their performance at school improves dramatically (up to 70%). Hands-on creative projects provide an opportunity for youth to be their own advocates. There is a lot happening beyond garage band and looping; kids are aware of this but are rarely exposed to a wider range of available tools and technologies.

NEXMAP and June Jordan School for Equity have teamed up to offer a dynamic 14-week course as a 70-minute elective block during regular school hours. Help us raise $5000 by December 31st to get this program up and running in January 2011.

ALL donations are 501(c)3 tax-deductible

The New Media elective will offer a combination of theory, hands-on workshops, and creative projects aimed at demystifying new technologies through arts projects that will culminate in a performance. The curriculum will focus on Sound: how it surrounds us and how it can be manipulated to make music, inviting youth to experience their environments in a new way. The sound theories introduced will related to the students’ physical science classes, providing real-life examples of theoretical concepts.
We have designed an engaging and rigorous curriculum that provides a special opportunity for the students at June Jordan School for Equity to learn experientially and directly from professionals in the field.

Theory:
• Introduction to acoustics and the physics of sound
• Basic concepts of electronic music synthesis (waveform generation, filtering, amplification, voltage control)
• Types of microphones, their uses and applications
• Digital audio (analog-to-digital conversion, sampling rates, resolution)

Hands-on activities
• Homemade electronic musical instruments
• Homemade microphones
• Build your own sensor
• Create your own sampler (using softwares)

Projects
• Field recording using portable devices
• Create your own piece using some of the home made instruments

Professional Artists/Teachers:

By bringing established artists into the classroom to present their work, share their process and lead workshops, June Jordan students will be exposed to role models and learn applicable skills for personal and creative expression.



Brendan Aanes is an intermedia artist who will give a presentation on using sensors to enhance human interaction with audio and visual art installations.



Laetitia Sonami is an internationally renowned sound artist, performer, and educator who has been a pioneer in the field of interactive digital audio performance technologies.

Zachary Watkins is an accomplished young Bay Area composer, sound artist, audio engineer, and educator. Since 2008 he has been instructor for a course on the History, Literature, and Technology of Electronic Music at UC Santa Cruz.

Andrea Williams is a sound artist and composer who has developed unique workshops for “Sound Walks” - exercises that teach students to experience their sonic environments in a new way, while in the process exposing them to field recording and audio editing techniques.

Pamela Z a singer/composer/performer and media artist who has been mesmerizing audiences around the world for over twenty five years. One of the pioneers of live digital looping techniques, she processes her voice in real time to create dense, complex sonic layers in her solo works.

Special thanks to Bob Tracy at West Road Media for his help in putting the video together! http://www.westroadmedia.com/