Courtney Yasmineh, a Twin Cities based songwriter and recording artist, is working with students from the Journeys High School in St. Paul to bring original music to their fingertips. In a partnership with the Rock Star Supply Co. and The Lab at Journeys, the MN State Arts Board is funding a 2012-2013 songwriter in residence program. Yasmineh is bringing in professional musicians Tommy Barbarella and Jeff Bailey, and music producer Rob Genadek, to work with students at Journeys on the students' own original compositions for voice, keyboard, guitar, bass, and drums. Students also have opportunities to visit and record at Rob Genadek's Brewhouse Recording Studio in downtown Minneapolis. The emphasis of the project is to enhance the public school experience during school hours for students who have an interest in music and verbal self-expression by giving them opportunities to collaborate creatively with adults who share a love of music and can model constructive behavior and help produce a finished musical product that can be a source of pride for all involved. A final CD sampler of the original pieces will be produced, manufactured, and distributed within the school community. There will be a CD release show with performances by the students and their professional colleagues near the end of the school year.
