OUR PROGRAMS HAVE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED AT DALEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL!
BY KESSLER CUFFMAN
Executive Director of Dynamo Studios
In the fall of 2022, we had the great pleasure of supporting the launch of new programming at Dalewood Middle School here in Chattanooga, TN as a part of their career clusters workforce development program.
This is a further expansion of our partnership with The Hamilton County Department of Education.
THERE IS NOTHING WE LOVE MORE THAN EXPANDING TO NEW SCHOOLS!
Over the summer, I received a message from Janet McGarrity about getting support on a new project they were working on at the school. As the band director, she recognized the talent the students had and was looking for innovative ways to expand programs for the kids. Once we met up to go through some ideas I told her that typically we only work with schools that follow a 6-12 model, but she assured me that this school was something special. After talking with her and Rashaad Williams (the school Principal), I quickly realized that this school was doing a lot of things right.
Following our initial meetings, I did my due diligence and began making calls (as I do with all new partnerships) to see what other people had to say this school, their students, and their team. I was met with overwhelming enthusiasm.
Here are a couple quotes that really stuck out to me:
“If you had to drop everything to partner with this school, it’d be worth it.”
“Mr. Williams had a bigger impact on me than anyone else in my life.”
“The kids flat out love Janet. This program will take off if she is leading this thing.”
Fast forward to the fall and the ball was officially rolling. We were able to provide consultation on programming and program development. Additionally, we prepared their equipment list and helped them secure steep discounts on the equipment through our partners at GC Pro.
“I feel like you really get to be who you want to be at this school. This is really inspiring stuff!”
Coincidently, we were hosting a high level producer and writer camp the same week the new school programs launched. Obviously we HAD to bring our producer and writer teams to visit the school and chop it up with the kids!
The visit to Dalewood Middle School was uniquely special because we were visiting their brand new production space! Dynamo partnered with the school to launch their new production program as a part of their career clusters model that promotes workforce development. The students had the chance to ask loads of questions and show off their work to our team of producers. (Read more about that here!)
The focus of our efforts at Dalewood are centered around music production, videography, and photography. Through the partnership we assigned a member of our instructor staff to the school who will actively support in school programs and after school programs for the students. Additionally, we will continue to support program expansion and provide on going consultation for whatever the school might need for years to come.
We are very excited about this program and school as a whole. Keep an eye out for these kids…They are going to do some seriously big things!
MORE TO COME IN THE NEAR FUTURE!
Through community partnership, Dynamo Studios empowers students and creatives through innovative and exciting educational experiences built around music production and the arts
Please consider supporting our students by joining the team and giving today!
