Teens learn the art of music production

By: JESSICA MUSICAR - For the North County Times | Tuesday, October 11, 2005 11:55 PM PDT ∞

ESCONDIDO ---- Three afternoons each week, a chatty collection of kids gathers at the Palomar Family YMCA's teen center to learn about music.

For some, the music production classes taught by Lawrence Hunter are a fun way to experiment with a turntable, mixer and set of speakers. For other teens, learning their way around the center's professional-quality recording studio may be the start of a musical career.

The YMCA music program "is helping me follow my dream," Escondido High School junior Montez Lacey said last week at the teen center. "I just think that the program is awesome ---- it's beyond awesome." Ý

Montez, 16, said he's been taking the Y classes for a couple of years and now feels confident enough in his skills to consider applying to music colleges, with plans to become a music producer.

One of the goals of the program, said Hunter, is to show teens that a career in the music industry ---- whether on the production side or as a professional DJ ---- is possible.

"One of the things I love about this job is helping them realize their dreams," Hunter said. "They leave with the understanding that this is something obtainable for them if they work hard." Ý

Classes at the Palomar Family YMCA's Stensrud Family Youth Sports and Teen Center, 1050 N. Broadway, include introductory music production, recording arts and a disc jockey course. Classes are offered every Tuesday through Thursday on a semester-long basis and are free for teens.

In the DJ class, teens learn how to set up, break down and take care of equipment, how to mix and scratch, and crowd control.

In the other courses, students are taught how to record music, make beats, set up microphones and record bands. They also learn studio etiquette and the business side of the recording industry.

Hunter also offers a six-week course for adults Saturdays for $50. The studio is available to local musicians for recording time at $30 to $50 an hour, depending on the age of the individual and whether they belong to the YMCA.

The YMCA music program started three years ago when the teen center was built in part through a $2 million grant from the Stensrud family of Poway. When Hunter arrived about two years ago, he redesigned the program and the studio to make it more attractive and useful for the kids. About 25 teens now take his classes.

Once they complete the courses, students can become Hunter's assistants and help with recording sessions. Advanced students also learn how to produce a CD for the studio's mock record label.

Palomar Family YMCA teen director Sarah Christensen, who oversees the teen center, said the music production program provides a service teens can't get at school or home.

"I think when you are a teenager, music is really important," Christensen said. "It's great for the community to have something that is reasonably priced or free to give them exposure to something they probably wouldn't have a chance to use otherwise."

The Palomar Family YMCA will be hold a Battle of the Bands on Nov. 18 and 19, with the help of Hunter's students, in addition to a hip hop haunted house Oct. 22.

For information about the music production program, call (760) 745-7490.