Driving Our Economy Forward: Dynamo Studios
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s a media organization built to encourage the next generation of visual and musical artists. They’re giving local youth the opportunity to succeed in the music industry. Take a look at this week’s Driving Our Economy Forward.
“We provide resources to more so underserved youth that aren’t able to get a hold of different types of equipment, such as cameras, music, production equipment, guitars, pianos, lights, a lot of expensive stuff we basically are trying to build a culture around media and music for there to be another path instead of the usual sports construction, welding, which all of those things are needed. But we also have a situation of those specific places and restaurants and all of those type of things. They have to have media and music to be able to push their brands,” said Dominique (D-Whit) Whitaker, Program Director of Dynamo Studios.
“So there’s a wide open line, especially for the youth, to be able to provide those type of services. We want to act as the launch pad for people, like even the kids, to create their own media companies, their own music production companies, record labels to open that opportunity for different people in the city and even outside the city. Being able to give kids the opportunity now to say, yeah, I can take a photo on my phone, but here’s a $2,000 camera that can shoot a full length movie if you wanted it to. Or you don’t have to make beats on the table, or you don’t have to just beatbox,” said Whitaker.
“We can show you how to work this computer and work this piece of equipment to make beats, or put a guitar and somebody hands to actually create music physically,” said Whitaker.
“Seeing kids get access to tools and expertise that I wasn’t able to get is means everything to me. These kids are years and years and years and beyond where I was at, because I had to learn everything by myself. They have people that’s already been there, that’s doing that can, you know, carry them alone,” said local artist Yo Miestro.
“It’s a safe environment for kids, you know, that’s number one. But number two, they gained skills. Yeah, I started making music and stuff like that or just being a creative when I was about eight. You know, if I had had somebody like this to push me ahead, I’d be a way, farther. They’re going to do those years and years and years, years. Everybody that worked here started when they were young, you know. So, it’s just a platform for them to change the trajectory and make the trajectory go quicker,” said Yo Miestro.
“Most of the kids we work if they want to be like a pro athlete, a YouTuber or a rapper. I was like, I can help em. One of those things, kind of two of those things. And, you know, we’ve got this mechanism to engage the kids with what they’re excited about. But like, really develop them as human beings, not just as professionals. And what’s great is that carries over to their academic success or behavioral success, like, you know, the dynamics of their families like, and their friendships and relationships and all that stuff,” said Kessler Kaufman, Founder/Executive Director.
“When I grow up, I want to be like a rapper. So getting to be here, I actually get to work with music, and that’s given me a better understanding for my future,” said Ray’Lynn, Aspiring Rapper.
“Dynamo Studios helped out like an amazing amount. Like all the amazing equipment that we have here that I could not get anywhere else. And I’ve bought my own camera and I’m just trying to move forward and hopefully, start my own business,” said Mason, Aspiring Photographer/Videographer.
