In 2007, program directors at the Nellie Stone Johnson Beacons Center created Beats & Rhymes, a music writing, production and business class for school-aged kids. Three years later, the program expanded to include another studio at the Harold Mezile North Community YMCA Youth & Teen Enrichment Center.

This unique program model requires students to first finish all of their homework before entering the studio, quickly winning the hearts of corporate sponsors like Best Buy.

And the tracks the kids produce as The NSJ Crew and the Y.N.RichKids continue to win over fans everywhere.

Learn more about Beats & Rhymes or listen to tracks via Bandcamp.