New Orleans Youth Unleash Creativity with Apple Technology
On a drizzly afternoon in New Orleans, the tranquil Ninth Ward stands in stark contrast to the bustling French Quarter. Within this serene setting lies the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music (EMCM), a hub where young artists are given the opportunity to hone their skills in both music and technology. The center, named after the legendary jazz musician Ellis Marsalis, has become a beacon of hope and creativity for the city’s youth, thanks in part to a strategic partnership with Apple.
A Fusion of Music and Technology
The collaboration between EMCM and Apple, which began in 2019, aims to broaden the educational horizons of students by integrating cutting-edge technology into their learning experience. This partnership has enabled the center to expand its curriculum beyond traditional music education to include technology-focused courses. These courses are designed not only to teach students how to play instruments but also to familiarize them with coding and audio engineering, thereby preparing them for a wide range of career paths.
Lisa Dabney, the executive director of EMCM, emphasizes the importance of this integration: "For us, it’s all connected — it’s part of a digital tapestry. It’s about closing the digital divide by giving students access to technology and introducing them to different types of diverse, long-term career opportunities, including pathways in music technology and beyond."
In a community where access to technology is limited, Apple’s contribution has been transformative, providing students with iPads and computers to explore new creative and professional possibilities.
Empowering Artistic and Technical Growth
EMCM’s curriculum is deeply rooted in the vision of its founder, who believed that understanding music begins with learning to hear it. Piano instruction is central to this philosophy, as it helps students develop critical listening skills and build a strong foundation in music theory. This foundational approach is now extended to coding and audio engineering courses.
In the center’s state-of-the-art Mac lab, students use Apple’s Everyone Can Code and Swift Playgrounds frameworks to learn the basics of coding. In the on-site music studio, they dive into audio engineering using apps like GarageBand and Logic Pro, which are popular tools for music production. These courses are particularly appealing to high school students, who are often eager to explore career opportunities in audio engineering.
Dr. Daryl Dickerson, the center’s director of music education, highlights the potential of these courses: "Here in New Orleans, we have hotels, we have clubs, we have conventions, and we have probably more festivals than anybody in the world. And all of them need audio." By equipping students with audio engineering skills, EMCM is providing them with a viable career path.
Bridging the Gap Between Creativity and Technology
The impact of this innovative approach is evident in students like Jacob Jones Jr., a high school senior who has expanded his musical horizons through audio engineering classes. For Jacob, the ability to manipulate sound using technology has opened up new avenues for creativity. He often utilizes Logic and GarageBand on his iPhone to capture musical ideas whenever inspiration strikes.
Similarly, 14-year-old Donte Allen, who has been passionate about music since infancy, has discovered a new interest in coding. "Swift teaches you the fundamentals, and you can go on from there," he says. "You can build your own apps, make your own games, and make your own stories… Music and Swift both help with my creativity."
This integration of arts and technology is a testament to EMCM’s commitment to providing students with a holistic education. Dr. Dickerson is particularly excited about future plans to introduce podcasting classes, further broadening the scope of creative and technical skills available to students.
A Broader Creative Movement Across New Orleans
Beyond the walls of EMCM, Apple’s influence is felt throughout New Orleans. Students at Delgado Community College are producing podcasts about local cultural icons, while young artists at Arts New Orleans have utilized iPads to design a mural near the Superdome.
This mural, designed by the Young Artist Movement (YAM), is a testament to the power of art as a tool for community engagement and social change. The mural, which highlights stories of previously incarcerated individuals, serves as a message of hope and redemption. It is part of YAM’s initiative to provide local youth with artistic and workforce development opportunities.
Under the guidance of visual artist Journey Allen and her team, students used the Procreate app on iPads to create digital designs for the mural. These designs were then transferred to mural cloth and painted, before being installed on the Orleans Justice Center’s exterior wall.
Art as a Catalyst for Change
The mural project holds special significance for many of the young artists involved, some of whom were introduced to YAM through its arts diversion program. This program offers an alternative to prosecution for youth facing minor, nonviolent offenses, using artistic expression as a means of healing and personal growth.
Retired Judge Arthur Hunter and Xavier University professor Ron Bechet, co-founders of the arts diversion program, have long championed the role of art in providing young people with a positive outlet and potential career path. Hunter reflects on the program’s impact: "It’s not just the art — it’s an economic opportunity as well, where they should be able to make a living using their talent."
Looking to the future, Allen is optimistic about the potential for growth and expansion: "There are many things that they need to engage in, conversations that need to be had, that we can’t have amongst the main YAM group, which are kids who have not been impacted in the same way by the criminal justice system. Giving them their own program gives them a true opportunity to expand and move beyond whatever it is they are facing."
Conclusion
The efforts of EMCM and its community partners illustrate the profound impact that technology and the arts can have on young people’s lives. By providing students with access to tools and opportunities they might not otherwise have, these programs are empowering the next generation to envision and create their own futures. As Apple’s Lisa Jackson succinctly puts it, "Creativity, art, and music are in our DNA." Through partnerships like these, New Orleans’ vibrant cultural heritage continues to thrive, enriched by the innovative spirit of its youth.
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