All of the Above
Hip Hop Academy
Monthly Newsletter: January 2023
2023 is upon us and the momentum from last year has positioned us for great expectations in the months ahead.
Let's get into what's ahead while also celebrating some wins from December.
Thank you for following along with us each month, taking the time to read this newsletter, and sharing with others.
We're thankful to be on this journey with you!
Program Updates
AYO (All of the Above Youth Organization)
2022 All of the Above Youth Organization (AYO) Graduation Recap
One of the biggest fueling moments of 2022 was our AYO Graduation. A statement made by Josiah Chavez, aka Juice, sets the tone for the new year:
"I know that the future is the next [generation/s of] kids and students that artistically express themselves. I identify with those kids and want to do for them what [AOTA] has done for me..."
- Juice
In support of Black Violin coming to Lansing this march, we’ve partnered with Gear-Up and the Wharton Center to facilitate workshops with ninth graders across the Lansing School District and Waverley HS.
Our own Ozay Moore and AYO Griots will be the Teaching artists carrying out the workshops. Congrats gentlemen!
BREAKING 101 & 102
Our annual holiday party was quite different this year but proved to be how we will continue every year from here on out!
This year we combined all of the classes and celebrated together making the group huge, and the feeling of excitement and thankfulness equally as large!
Watch a recap here.
Big shoutout to the winners of the annual holiday-breaking battle, Bboy Z-Man, and parent breaker, Monica!
What's up for Breaking in 2023?
During the entirety of 2022, Breaking classes had a waiting list. Our intention is to hold classes in a bigger room so that we don't have to cap registration. We're looking forward to reaching all Lansing kids interested in the Breaking classes.
Stay tuned for more details on this.
We also look forward to the second annual Cap City Jam held in August along with attending other breaking battles throughout the year.
B.A.R.S. (Teen & Youth)
The B.A.R.S Students shared their final projects at the AOTA holiday party and the whole room lit up! From the kid's faces getting to hear their songs played for all to hear, to the parents and kids listening for the first time, it was truly epic!
Read on for an opportunity to hear the songs.
What's up for B.A.R.S. in 2023?
Youth B.A.R.S. will continue at the Lansing Public Media Center and will meet twice a week. Students have already started to register so if your child (ages 9-14) or someone you know is interested, be sure to register at the link below before the second week of January.
As for kids ages 15 and up?
We're happy to announce we will soon be launching afterschool groups in partnership with the Lansing School District! We will be able to share more about this in the coming months.
Stay tuned!
Highlights & Collaborations
Listen to Student Projects
The B.A.R.S. and AYO students have worked so hard to create, collaborate, and record their final projects. We now have a place for you to listen and share them with others.
We'd like to make sure and say "Thank you, students!" for sharing these projects. We're so proud of them for their vulnerability and creativity during this process. Plus, both teachers that helped make this possible.
P.S. We've also added links to the teacher's music now, too!
AOTA & MSU
Shout out to the College of Social Sciences, SSC 399 Fall 2022 class, led by one of our board members, Cristian Lambaren Sanchez.
Last semester, they continued and added to Community Engagement Projects from previous students: Grant Writing and Spread Da Word.
These students visited youth programming classes, interviewed board and staff members, and attended the AYO Graduation and Holiday Party. We enjoyed working with them and are excited to continue this in 2023.
Student Highlight
We're starting something new - monthly student highlights! It has been very hard to choose as we could say something wonderful about each and every student.
This month - Olivia from Breaking 102!
Olivia came to breaking having knowledge of Capoeira which made her introduction to Breaking smooth. But, there's no mistaking that each dance form has its own challenges and core accomplishments. Olivia took this on with stride and worked hard to battle during Cap City Jam. She continues to show up strong plus, takes time to teach and share with other students both young and old.
Great job, Olivia! Keep shining!
Volunteer Highlight
Marques Davis
Marques takes photos and videos to help AOTA update, YOU! We're so grateful for the time and expertise he puts into every project.
From recap videos to class images, he precisely captures AOTA’s energy and memories.
Thank You, Marques!
Join the Building Committee
If you haven’t already, please consider being a part of the “Five Won Svn Building Committee” Monthly Donor Club.
Becoming a monthly donor in one of our 3 tiers comes with a few perks, small tokens of our appreciation.
The value of your support is nearly impossible to articulate, but...we HAVE to do something seeing as you're so phenomenal!!!
See the tiers below:
#Build517
It will never get old to say THANK YOU for your continued support as we #build517 together!
Old school appreciation, new school application.
#EachOneTeachOne
#Build517
