SoulGen Feature Member - Nathan Jones of CODA Speaks
This week, SoulGenesis checks in with Nathan Jones of CODA Programs. A phenomenal, young changemaker who has launched a youth educational program based around music. Nathan most recently has partnered with the Beacon Program in Philadelphia and will be hosting the Beacon Café, a music listening and performance lounge for young people. Good work, Nathan! Keep it up. Learn more about Nathan’s work, how you can support and what it takes to launch this type of program.
SG: Nathan, we are so glad to have you in the community. Thanks for being part of SoulGen. We hear you are doing some amazing work in the community. Why don't you start just telling us a little about CODA and the work you are doing with the Beacon Schools?
Nathan:
Well first, thank you for starting a community like SoulGen! Its my pleasure to be a part. Its important for our community to connect in productive and positive ways.
CODA (Community Outreach, Development, and Achievement) Program provides youth music workshops and educational solutions throughout the Philadelphia area. We have been at it about three years now and have had the fortune of working with a variety of fantastic community organizations. Currently, we provide ongoing programming at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, The Free Library of Philadelphia, and as you mentioned, the Norris S. Barratt Beacon Center to name a few. Specifically at the Barratt Beacon Center we run a monthly open mic for teens every first Friday and new this season, The Beacon Cafe Studio. Any teens or community artists interested in recording and producing music should definitely let us know!
SG: Why and how did you get into this work?
Nathan:
It really started with my business partner, Ali Richardson, and I combining skills and resources. He was already teaching youth and working with After School programs. I was already in the process of maintaining my music production company. While taking a break from a band rehearsal, we just started talking about the needs in the community and decided to try something different. We made a flyer, handouts, grabbed the guitar and headed to the Library.
SG: Now people often say that it is hard to make a living and do good at the same time. Speak about that.
Nathan:
I agree. It is hard. But its also very possible. If I could offer any advice, I would say be realistic about balancing your vision and economic reality. You still have to eat if you want to help feed others. Within that balance is also the reality that people and the community at large also support the effort. It’s not a hard sell if you are doing what you love and impacting change in a positive way.
SG: Let's talk about the programming for minute. How is your program impacting youth? How does it work?
Nathan:
We provide a wide range of music workshops and educational programming that cover music and how it impacts culture. Our programming ranges from individual workshops that last an hour to multiple workshop series to an entire year worth of curriculum. This year we have invested a lot of time and resources into adhering to National Standards of music education. We want our youth performing and National levels.
SG: What is the most amazing thing you have seen with your program? What keeps you inspired?
Nathan:
Community is a beautiful thing. Our mission is "to empower the community by strengthening the connection between artists, educators, and children." When we see people from all walks of life, all different ages and backgrounds working together to create music and community, it is truly amazing and inspiring. Recently, we participated in the Global Fusion event at Penn's Landing. Check out the recording at http://network.codaprogram.com/kickapps/service/displayMediaPlayPag.... We did this all live over the course of two days interacting with people attending the event. How can we NOT stay inspired?
SG: This is your program, right? Can you talk a little bit about how you started this and give any advice to folks who may be interested in starting their own youth program.
Nathan:
This is really my third entrepreneurial effort. I have gained a lot from each attempt but a large part of our current success is learning how to listen, accept change, and humble yourself enough to know you are in fact doing just that... learning. We are fortunate to teach children that remind us. Research and planning is important when starting any effort but so is simply just doing the work. As I mention before, balance that with fiscal responsibility and you are on your way.
SG: Thank you so much, Nathan. How should people reach you or support your initiative?
You can visit our website at www.codaprogram.com, email us at info@codaprogram.com or contact us at 888-250-6341 x701 for more information. Thanks again for the opportunity to share a little about what we do.
SG: Nathan, we are so glad to have you in the community. Thanks for being part of SoulGen. We hear you are doing some amazing work in the community. Why don't you start just telling us a little about CODA and the work you are doing with the Beacon Schools?
Nathan:
Well first, thank you for starting a community like SoulGen! Its my pleasure to be a part. Its important for our community to connect in productive and positive ways.
CODA (Community Outreach, Development, and Achievement) Program provides youth music workshops and educational solutions throughout the Philadelphia area. We have been at it about three years now and have had the fortune of working with a variety of fantastic community organizations. Currently, we provide ongoing programming at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, The Free Library of Philadelphia, and as you mentioned, the Norris S. Barratt Beacon Center to name a few. Specifically at the Barratt Beacon Center we run a monthly open mic for teens every first Friday and new this season, The Beacon Cafe Studio. Any teens or community artists interested in recording and producing music should definitely let us know!
SG: Why and how did you get into this work?
Nathan:
It really started with my business partner, Ali Richardson, and I combining skills and resources. He was already teaching youth and working with After School programs. I was already in the process of maintaining my music production company. While taking a break from a band rehearsal, we just started talking about the needs in the community and decided to try something different. We made a flyer, handouts, grabbed the guitar and headed to the Library.
SG: Now people often say that it is hard to make a living and do good at the same time. Speak about that.
Nathan:
I agree. It is hard. But its also very possible. If I could offer any advice, I would say be realistic about balancing your vision and economic reality. You still have to eat if you want to help feed others. Within that balance is also the reality that people and the community at large also support the effort. It’s not a hard sell if you are doing what you love and impacting change in a positive way.
SG: Let's talk about the programming for minute. How is your program impacting youth? How does it work?
Nathan:
We provide a wide range of music workshops and educational programming that cover music and how it impacts culture. Our programming ranges from individual workshops that last an hour to multiple workshop series to an entire year worth of curriculum. This year we have invested a lot of time and resources into adhering to National Standards of music education. We want our youth performing and National levels.
SG: What is the most amazing thing you have seen with your program? What keeps you inspired?
Nathan:
Community is a beautiful thing. Our mission is "to empower the community by strengthening the connection between artists, educators, and children." When we see people from all walks of life, all different ages and backgrounds working together to create music and community, it is truly amazing and inspiring. Recently, we participated in the Global Fusion event at Penn's Landing. Check out the recording at http://network.codaprogram.com/kickapps/service/displayMediaPlayPag.... We did this all live over the course of two days interacting with people attending the event. How can we NOT stay inspired?
SG: This is your program, right? Can you talk a little bit about how you started this and give any advice to folks who may be interested in starting their own youth program.
Nathan:
This is really my third entrepreneurial effort. I have gained a lot from each attempt but a large part of our current success is learning how to listen, accept change, and humble yourself enough to know you are in fact doing just that... learning. We are fortunate to teach children that remind us. Research and planning is important when starting any effort but so is simply just doing the work. As I mention before, balance that with fiscal responsibility and you are on your way.
SG: Thank you so much, Nathan. How should people reach you or support your initiative?
You can visit our website at www.codaprogram.com, email us at info@codaprogram.com or contact us at 888-250-6341 x701 for more information. Thanks again for the opportunity to share a little about what we do.
Tags: coda, education, jones, music, nathan, programs, youth
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by exploringinfinity on -
Just a quick "thank you"! I live in South Philadelphia, and I know firsthand some of the challenges that the children who attend Barratt face. Please, keep up the good work!
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