FREE SUMMER CAMPS NEAR YOU!

My Voice My Music is hosting FREE pop-up satellite summer camps across the Portland metro area for youth ages 7-18 with or without musical experience. We’ll bring all the instruments and recording gear needed to run a FUN and empowering 1-5 day music camp for up to 10 youth. These in-person camps will come in customizable forms and be located throughout the city based on interest, need, and availability.

We need YOUR input to know where camps are the most needed! See below to request or suggest an area to host a camp, apply to become a paid facilitator, register for a free camp, or learn more about the program.

REQUEST or SUGGEST A CAMP IN YOUR AREA

We’ll bring all the instruments and recording gear needed to run a 1-5 day music camp for up to 10 youth. Simply fill out our request form to let us know what kind of camp you’d like to see in your area and we’ll do our darnedest to make it happen! You can also email us at register@myvoicemusic.org.

BECOME A PAID CAMP FACILITATOR

MVM is hiring a large pool of facilitators ages 16+ who will be working with youth throughout communities in Portland to help facilitate our pop-up summer camps. Facilitators must have musical knowledge in one or more of the following areas: guitar, keys, bass, drums/percussion, beat-making, singing, and/or rapping. Recording knowledge is a plus but not required. Facilitators are self-motivated, adaptable, strong leaders and collaborators, and are able to connect with and guide youth. Paid training will be provided at $100/day. Read the full job description and apply.

Training Dates
All trainings are 8:30am-3:00pm at MVM Studios.
July 1-2 2021
July 13-14 2021
additional training dates TBA

REGISTER TO ATTEND A FREE POP-UP SATELLITE CAMP

Details and free registration will be available here when camps become available.

TELL ME MORE!

WHAT KIND OF CAMPS ARE THESE?

All kinds! Camps are fully customizable based upon community need and desire. Here are some sample configurations just to get a sense of the possibilities:

Where will camps be held?

Everywhere! Once we have identified a need and desire for a camp in an area, we will find a location to host the camp. This could be at a community center, event space, music venue, church, school, park, parking lot, etc… Do you know a place that might be a good fit for a group of up to 10 kids? Drop us a line!

HOW ARE THESE DIFFERENT FROM YOUR REGULAR SUMMER CAMPS?

Our regular summer camps are located in our facility in SE Portland called MVM Studios, and they all follow the same format and duration. The pop-up satellite camps will:

• have formats and durations that are customizable based on the needs and desires of the community

• be located in the neighborhood near the students they serve

• offer free pick up/drop off transportation (as capacity allows).

• while regular camps at MVM Studios are always free for anyone who needs a scholarship, these satellite camps will be free for all students automatically

I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MVM SUMMER CAMPS

Information about regular MVM summer camps is available here.

 FACILITATOR JOB DESCRIPTION

About MVM:

My Voice Music’s mission is to amplify young voices and ignite self-discovery through music. Our mantra is “Write, Record, Release” and our medium is popular music. Since its founding in 2008, My Voice Music (MVM) has used the songwriting process to listen, share stories, collaborate, and build relationships with over 13,000 young people. We prioritize helping youth with behavioral, emotional and economic challenges discover their artistic and individual gifts.

Typically, MVM serves 1,400-1,500 youth each year with a progression of music instruction that nurtures a lifelong love of music and hones leadership skills. MVM Satellite Programs provide introductory songwriting workshops on-site at social service agencies, mental health treatment centers, and juvenile detention centers. From weekly lessons to multi-month drop-in sessions, MVM tailors programs and workshops to meet the needs and abilities of all participants. MVM Studios (currently located in the Sunnyside neighborhood in SE Portland) is a place where youth of diverse backgrounds, from partner programs and the general public, come together to take part in week-long rock camps, drop-in hours, small group classes, long-term music mentorship with professional musicians and youth leadership opportunities. All of our programs are pay-what-you-can with 82% of youth on full or partial scholarship.

Job Description for 2021 Summer Camp Facilitator:

This position is for a part-time facilitator who will be working with youth throughout communities in Portland to help facilitate our pop-up summer camps. Pop-up Camps may include the following: one-off workshops, weekly programs, week-long immersive camps, drop-in activities, and longitudinal programs.

My Voice Music recently received a grant from the Oregon Community Foundation that allows us to bring free fully customizable youth music camps to communities, facilities, and programs throughout Portland this summer. This means MVM is currently developing relationships throughout the city while hiring a large pool of facilitators to help make this possible.

Camps will focus on any of the following: hip-hop, rock, songwriting, recording, instrument and beat making instruction.

Facilitators must have musical knowledge in one or more of the following areas: guitar, keys, bass, drums/percussion, beatmaking, singing, and/or rapping. Recording knowledge is a plus but not required. Facilitators are self-motivated, adaptable, strong leaders and collaborators, and are able to connect with and guide youth.

Facilitators will need to help set up and break down equipment (i.e., hauling instruments and audio equipment, running cables, handing out lunches, etc.)

Paid training is provided.

Dates + Duration:

• Summer 2021. Part-time. Exact dates to be determined. Must have a flexible schedule.

• Training will be provided in cohorts on July 1-2 and July 13-14. Additional training dates to be announced.

Compensation:

• Adult facilitator (ages 25+): Starting at $23/hour. Includes compensation for “out of class” activities such as preparation, travel, music production/mixing, training, and staff meetings. No benefits.

• Student facilitator (ages 16-24): $15/hour. Includes compensation for “out of class” activities such as preparation, travel, music production/mixing, training, and staff meetings. No benefits.

• Training. $100/day stipend. Includes compensation for 2 days of training.

Job Requirements:

• Adult facilitator (ages 25+): 

  • 2 years of working with youth in a professional setting and/or ability to convey musical experiences and passion to inspire youth in their process.

  • Valid Driver's License, or Government Issued ID (Passport, State ID Card) 

  • Pass Federal Background Check, or be willing to clarify experiences in the justice system and current situation. You will still be eligible if you were previously incarcerated, unless you have charges related to the safety and well-being of children. 

  • Has created, performed, recorded, and released music/art.

• Student facilitator (ages 16-24):

  • Valid Driver's License, or Government Issued ID (Passport, State ID Card)

  • Pass Federal Background Check (if 18 or older), or be willing to clarify experiences in the justice system and current situation. You will still be eligible if you were previously incarcerated, unless you have charges related to the safety and well-being of children. 

  • Has created, performed, recorded, and released music/art.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

Youth Teaching Experience:

• Guided youth to define goals and attain them in a finite amount of time.

• Established and maintained a positive culture for youth to learn and create (experience w/ redirection and setting limits).

• Created and successfully implemented curriculums.

• Understanding of trauma-informed approaches with youth in the classroom.

Songwriting & Musical Experience:

• Ability to help others to write songs and be creative - through example, group activities, and formal instruction

• Creates melodies easily with instruments and/or voice. 

• Understanding of lyric writing and poetry, and an ability to guide youth in group activities that get them engaged in creating art and taking creative risks.

• "Producer’s" ear - understands and can hear accompanying parts ie; drums, bass, melody lines and so forth that follow the musical themes of the student and can make lyric and music suggestions (if needed) based on what would be best for the student given; vision for song; time constraints; style etc.

Understanding of Recording Software:

Individual should know how to use one or more of the following recording software (or be familiar with equivalent programs). Applicant will provide MVM with examples of personal recordings.

• GarageBand

• Logic

• Pro Tools

• FL Studio

• Reason

Youth Teaching Experience:

• Individual conveys concepts clearly, seeks common understanding, and makes decisions collaboratively and with consensus (when possible).

• Individual is mindful of the space in which they are operating and considers the dynamics of the group and their own presence. Individual identifies and calls attention to issues as they arise, and anticipates possible issues ahead of time, and seeks input and help from supervisor(s) or appropriate individuals.

• Individual is both self-motivated and able to collaborate with others.

• Individual is flexible and adaptable to youth needs.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We welcome all members of the community to participate, volunteer and support our young artists. We recognize that Portland has a history of racial and economic segregation that has and continues to harm citizens of color. We acknowledge the harm that institutional racism and systems of economic oppression inflict on our community. We believe it is the responsibility of those with privilege to actively work against those systems. We invite and ask our young artists to provide feedback and become leaders within the organization. We provide training to students to become teachers of our programs. We learn from all perspectives and use them to shape our programs and organization.

My Voice Music acknowledges and honors personal histories, cultural values, socioeconomic status, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and, in general, the specific stories of every person in our community. We believe personal experiences and perspectives are an essential and integral part of the artistic journey.

MVM recognizes the importance of other perspectives and actively seeks to include and learn from individuals with diverse life experiences. We continually reflect on our existence within a culture that marginalizes people. We are committed to working in collaboration with the communities we serve, hiring individuals from all communities, as well as hiring youth who have come up through My Voice Music’s classes. 

We acknowledge that we exist in a system that affects different populations in very different ways. We acknowledge that as an organization we will always have room to grow. We are committed to continually examining our role in both perpetuating and fighting against ideas, practices, policies, and systems that marginalize and isolate individuals and entire cultural groups. We commit to continually aligning our policies and practices to reflect new areas of learning and growth that will advance racial equity, inclusion, and freedom of expression.

To learn more about My Voice Music:

• History: https://myvoicemusic.org/history

• Philosophy: https://myvoicemusic.org/philosophy

• Equity: https://myvoicemusic.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion 

APPLY HERE

Apply online here: https://forms.gle/DUfQ8ZXwqjH42encA