By Peter Legget, Walker West Music Academy

In the winter of 2012-2013 Walker West Music Academy held its second offering of the Young Artist Program. Led by Walker West faculty members Felix James, Solomon Parham and Nick Phillips, the Young Artist Program provides high school students with the opportunity to compose, record and produce an album of original music.

This offering included an outstanding trio of musicians including Academy student pianist John Blanda and vocalists Traiveon Dunlap and Imani Belfrey-Waters.  The group who calls themselves, New Beginnings developed a jazz/neo-soul sound that involved jazz, r&b and latin styles. Joining them on the recording were Academy student musicians, Gavin Corhouse (of St. Paul Central High School rock band Bomba de Luz) on bass and Edmund Catlin (the FY13 Minnesota All-State Jazz Band first chair drumset player) on drums.

Volume 2: New Beginnings contains six original tunes that were composed through collective collaboration between John, Imani and Traiveon.  Lyrically, Imani’s vocals sound like a seasoned adult songwriter singing about the ups and downs of life. When she sings on “Get Myself Together”, she deals with the need to pick yourself up and look to those around you for support when times get tough.  John Blanda’s creative interplay and soloing throughout the album show why he is one of the most in demand high school jazz musicians in the Twin Cities.

Commenting about this talented group of high school musicians, Felix James said, “ this program is unique in terms of what is going on in the Twin Cities… the staff here are able to capture these student’s imaginations [with this program].. we’re able to get them to focus and use the skills they already have to create something new and unique.”

Fellow instructor Solomon Parham said of the Young Artist Program, “It’s a chance of a lifetime… you don’t want to miss out on the chance to record your own musical works.”

Check out this link to a video of the program which includes interviews with the students and instructors: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ7jPwDl_o4

The Academy will continue to offer the program this spring and in the summer. Stay connected with the Academy through our website.  Also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!