Youth On Record, a Denver non-profit focused on music education, was recognized Monday night in DC during the Future of Music Coalition Honors Dinner. The FMC Honors award "celebrates pioneers who have made meaningful contributions to the music community."
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Jami Duffy, Executive Director of the organization, says, "Youth on Record has its own heartbeat. Our teachers demonstrate the true power and potential of what's possible when a group of motivated artists put the needs of their community above all else. Denver is the only city in the US where the local music community is addressing the education crisis head on. Our musicians march into the classroom every day - and make a true and lasting difference in the lives of our most vulnerable youth. That's the power of art."
Governor Hickenlooper congratulated Duffy on the award in a letter-of-accomplishment, presented in DC. "We commend your many accomplishments with at-risk youth in Denver Public Schools, local residential treatment centers [....] this award is a fitting recognition of your ongoing commitment to creating a healthy and thriving cultural community in Colorado," he wrote.
The award was presented to the Youth on Record team at the Hamilton Live theatre. Others recognized at the event were OK Go, Merge Records, Peter Jenner, Girls Rock Camp Alliance, Congressmen Bob Goodlatte, John Conyers, Howard Coble and Jerrold Nadler.
Molina Speaks, Tyler Bruer, Daniel Rondeau, Shawn King of DeVotchKa, Denver artists played on stage along with Damian Kulash of OK Go, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Martín Perna of Antibalas, Fox Stevenson and more during the event which was attended by industry leaders.
"We're very proud of the Youth on Record and the musicians they hire to work with kids to give them voice. These musicians are connecting with kids in ways that are important and life affirming," Margaret Hunt, Director of Colorado Creative Industries said.
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