Wanted: Your Groovy Tracks to Empower "High-Risk" Teens to "High Hopes"

Earlier this December, I had an amazing time at Pahoa High on the Big Island with “at-risk” teens. Many of them come from broken homes and live with challenges like substance abuse, domestic violence, or parents/family in jail, if not, incarceration themselves. After talking with them openly & really hearing their heart, I see them as “high hopes” rather than “high risk,” as Jack Canfield has said. I shared “Beauty of You” with them & one of the girls was overcome with emotion & just buried her head in her arms. Another boy told me later that the song made him feel funny. I asked, “Did it make you feel sick?” And he said “no” – it gave him “chicken skin” (island pidgin for “goosebumps”). They are not used to hearing messages that they are beautiful & powerful. I don’t think anyone has ever told them to shine their light, to bring their gifts & talents forward. I knew in that moment that music could be an empowering force in their life.

So, I’m asking all you artist/producer friends of mine if you’d like to donate a groovy track, just instrumental with a bumpin’ groove/beat (like current music they’d listen too), for them to create raps to, for them to free-style or free-flow with their own lyrics. My idea was to give them a CD filled with tracks for them to express themselves through rap & song. We could also title our songs with a theme – something to inspire the rap…maybe titles like “If I Could Change the World” or “My Gift to Give” (about their talents & skills) or “My Dream” Remember, we want to give them tracks that have the same feel/production of songs they dig already - i.e. today r&b, dance, even reggae (or island "jawaiian" that's popular in Hawaii)

If you’re interested in donating a track, please forward me:
*Link to the song or email MP3 to faithgroover@hotmail.com
*Writer & Publisher Information (i.e. Faith Rivera/Lil’ Girl Creations)
*Name & contact info (email addy & website)

For anyone interested in funding this project (the manufacturing cost), please feel free to email me as well with your contact info. I’m just putting this project together now. I’m not sure where it might lead, but know it is an awesome first step in supporting these youth to be all that they can be & a wonderful resource for the amazing teachers that dedicate their lives to enriching the youth.

Thanks in advance!!!

Faith
http://www.faithrivera.com/

Resources for Singers, Songwriters, Artists, Music Folks

Jan-Feb 2009 Thursdays in Santa Monica, CA
Private Voice Lessons & Music Consultations
Until now, I have offered private sessions only on the road & have been honored to support the growth of singers, songwriters, & indy artists around the country. Next Jan & Feb, I’ll be available on Thursdays in the Santa Monica area for those of you in the southern California area that want to spend some time together on your music making. Visit here to see what specific areas I can support you in (from vocal performance to songwriting to gigging, recording, marketing your CD & more). Your music matters & I’m grateful for the opportunity to help you in bringing more of that brilliance into the world! Book your session now for a $5 savings off these rates: $40-30min, $75-60min.

I strongly encourage those of you that are more advanced in singing to study with my own vocal coach, Gerald White. Visit his site to book a lesson with him in Santa Monica.

Some of you on the road have also asked for a way to continue sessions with me, so I’ll be offering phone sessions as well on these Thursdays. Again you can get more info & book your slot online.

Below are more music news/resources:

**Jan 3rd Los Angeles Workshop
with Bob Baker How to Beat the Recession, Reach Your Creative Goals, and Thrive in 2009

**Congrats to Tia Carrere & my co-writer, Daniel Ho for their Grammy Nomination
Daniel’s won like 3 Grammy’s in recent years & there’s no one more deserving with the hours, the heart, the intention he puts in his music! If you’re a NARAS member, please consider their awesome music during the voting process. I’m waiting for Daniel to win a Grammy for a sweet song we write together…c’mon!!!! haha http://danielho.com/ikenaGrammy.html

**2009 Empower Posi Music Awards
I can’t thank EmpowerMA enough for the impact they have had in my life & in my career! Submit your songs today http://www.empowerma.com/posiawards

**Imagine…You singing in Italy!!! (amateur choral singers wanted)
From Holly Phares on my email list: www.umbrianserenades.com "It's a summer choral/cultural program in Umbria, Italy that my dearest friend and colleague have designed and successfully run for three seasons over in stunning Italia for three amazing summers! If you know of any enthusiastic and talented amateur choral singers who love travel (unique and "off the beaten path"!), send them our way!"

**If you create and/or enjoy uplifting, positive music, visit: www.harmonizingwithhumanity.com & www.positivemusicassociation.com

**If you want to input all your gig dates, songs, etc. just once and put up a cool widget w/ all that info, visit: www.reverbnation.com