Have you ever heard the expression, “if you dream it, you can do it?” It’s an inspiring reminder that each of us can make a vision a reality. That’s a beautiful concept, but it comes with a challenge. The process of turning an idea into something real often requires developing new skills and finding opportunities to apply them. For young people, especially those who may not be aware they can turn their dreams into reality, this can be particularly challenging.
That’s where people like Stefon “Bionik” Taylor, a COMPAS Teaching Artist, come in.
Bionik is a music producer, performer, and multi-instrumentalist who specializes in creating and recording original songs using modern tools and technology. In the classroom and other community sites, Bionik guides young people through the song-making process with lyric-writing exercises, creating music using computer software, and recording lyrics and live instruments. The final product is an original song created by participants working as a group.
For eight weeks this summer, Bionik led a workshop series for youth in grades 9-12 at a community center. The participants learned about everything from mining their own life experiences for creative inspiration to turning that inspiration into a song they recorded.
“Bionik is very knowledgeable about music. From day one, it was amazing how he was able to build a sense of community,” Will Xiong shared. Will is the activity director at the community center. “He made everyone feel confident and welcome. At the start, they were strangers who didn’t know each other. By the end, they were family.”
Making sure that everyone who participates feels safe and comfortable and not judged is very important to Bionik. “Sometimes it takes people longer to build trust, but after the first or second time we met, the kids really got into it,” he explained.
The teens agreed.
“I feel this class was a good experience,” said Angel, one of the teens who worked with Bionik. “We were able to let all of our feelings and ideas out to create a song, with no judgment. I learned about technology and music-making. I would happily repeat this experience.”
“Bionik was an amazing person with tremendous experience and knowledge,” said Pa, another program participant. “He was always open to new ideas and always encouraged us.”
“This group of kids was really engaged,” commented Bionik. “Every week, they came in with questions and ideas, and a great song came from it.”
Some of the teens were so engaged, they asked Bionik to teach them more about the technology used to produce music. As a result, Bionik added specialized instruction about programming the software.
“The kids came in five or six times on their own, just to learn,” he shared. “And that helped them learn beyond the project.”
Ultimately, the students collaboratively produced a song called, “In My Head.”
“It’s about mental health,” Will explained. “Something they all care about.”
“Attending the Digital Music Production Program was my highlight of the summer,” said Pa. “I came into this program because I wanted to transfer my musical ideas into reality. I never imagined myself as a producer, singer, or songwriter, but after getting into this program, I dared to dream. This program helped me realize that being a producer, singer, or songwriter is not a label for only big artists. I hope this program continues, so many other interested individuals get the chance to explore, have fun, and last but not least, dare to imagine and pursue their dreams.”
If you can dream it, you can do it, especially with the help of community, collaboration, and mentors like Bionik.
To hear music created during Bionik’s work for COMPAS, including “In My Head,” visit his COMPAS SoundCloud.
Please consider supporting COMPAS. Thanks to our donors, aspiring young artists receive training and mentoring to turn their creative dreams into reality.
Want to bring Bionik to your classroom or community for a workshop? Reach out to book him for a program or look through our Artist Roster to find another Teaching Artist who meets your needs!
