Youth Media Project
WYEP is committed to providing unique learning experiences for youth of all ages that enables them to explore music and media. We provide youth with a variety of station and school-based creative outlets designed to get youth energized about music and self-expression and teach the basics of music appreciation, the process of radio production and self-expression through media. The WYEP Youth Media Project programs are designed to incorporate transferrable skills like writing, public speaking, and teamwork. 
Re(imagine) Media is our teen-led program centered on media creation and advocacy. We want to empower teens to become a voice for today's youth, so participants hone their leadership skills as they speak out about issues that are important to them. In order to become more accessible, we developed the mobile curriculum New(s) Vision. This class teaches students music exploration, audio editing and self-expression. It is currently offered by Pittsburgh's Propel Schools for students grades K-8. Another great program for students is our Customizable Experiences. We wanted to invite students into the radio station to learn about the music and radio industries. Students get the opportunity to tour the WYEP studios and experience radio production. Its perfect for middle and high school field trips! 
During the summer, we offer Rock Radio Camp, a one-week day camp designed for the aspiring DJ! WYEP's Rock Radio Camp immerses middle school-aged students in music, marketing, and technology. Students learn to speak into a microphone, select music for a DJ set, promote their own show, interview guests and more! WYEP created the innovative, interactive sound and music experience ZooBeats. The portable kiosks let children ages 2 through 5 easily experiment with sound creation and music making. Play with the kiosks at WYEP's community events or rent them for your classrooms. Fill out the webform to rent ZooBeats for your organization.
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Rock Radio Camp - August
On August 8, we got a whole new set of campers for WYEP's Rock Radio Camp. Their recap of events depicts quite a different viewpoint from July's, bringing into it their own strengths and abilities. The campers especially loved sharing and discussing their own personal music preferences. They also got hands-on instruction from InnerBeat Drum School and a personal performance by local artist Midge Crickett! |
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Rock Radio Camp - July
On July 18-22, WYEP held it's first session of the annual day camp for middle school students - Rock Radio Camp! What you'll hear is a recap of the activities they did each day, written and recorded by the kids. Their favorite day was Friday, when they formed their own band--"Amazing Eight"--and jammed like a band that hadn't just formed a few days ago! |
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Freezone: "Live" Radio Drama
We love introducing radio to Pittsburgh's youngest residents. A group of elementary school-age children made The WYEP Community Broadcast a part of their Southside tour through The Brashear Association. After a tour and a peek at the DJ and production studios, the kids learned about creating old-time radio dramas with Foley sounds. Enjoy this rendition of classic nursery rhymes with a twist! |
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Rock Radio Career Day
Word must have got out about how interesting Rock Radio Career Days are, since another group from North Allegheny came to The WYEP Community Broadcast Center. Enjoy their interviews with music industry professionals. |
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Rock Radio Career Day
On March 25, students from North Allegheny came to The WYEP Community Broadcast Center. This was no ordinary field trip! A Rock Radio Career Day has students directly relating to people in many aspects of the music industry. I'll let them tell you more about it, since they wrote and helped edit the introduction and interviews. |
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Maliek's Audio Story
Maliek, a student of Propel, heard about us through our radio production course FreeZone. He came in and did an audio story complete with a music bed and narration that he wrote and recorded. On what topic? How about Pittsburgh's own rapper that topped the Billboard Hot 100 - Wiz Khalifa! |
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Winchester Thurston Morning Workshop
Winchester Thurston's initiative City as Our Campus exemplifies what WYEP's Education Department is all about: creating experiences that teach kids in innovative ways. So we were thrilled to be a part of the arts community putting on workshops for Urban Arts Immersion Day as part of City as Our Campus. In our morning workshop, students used field recorders to capture dialogue about the role of music and record sound effects for the resulting narration. They did a great job! |
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Winchester Thurston Afternoon Workshop
Winchester Thurstons initiative City as Our Campus exemplifies what WYEPs Education Department is all about: creating experiences that teach kids in innovative ways. So we were thrilled to be a part of the arts community putting on workshops for Urban Arts Immersion Day as part of City as Our Campus. In our afternoon workshop, students used field recorders to capture dialogue about the role of music in their lives and put it into a narration. They also helped assemble the music bed resulting in a fantastic audio piece! |
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Mentor Stories: Alison
Alison's dad was never around and her mom wasn't a big part of her life either. She met her mentor Leslie at just the right time. WYEP FreeZone listens to Alison's story as part of our collaboration with the Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania. |
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Mentor Stories: Xiana & Melissa
Xiana and Melissa were matched up through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and started having fun from the moment they met one another. "Mentor Stories"--a collaboration between WYEP FreeZone and The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania--takes a listen. |
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HBCUwhat?
Not familiar with the term "HBCU"? That stands for "Historically Black Colleges and Universities," and for WYEP FreeZone correspondent Anthony, a trip down South uncovered the history--and opportunities--these schools provide. |
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Mentor Stories: Melanie & Jacquayla
Jacquayla doesn't think Melanie can sing very well, but that doesn't stop them from belting out their favorite songs on the radio while driving in Melanie's car. "Mentor Stories"--a collaboration between WYEP FreeZone and The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania--takes a listen to a fun and touching conversation between this mentor and mentee. |
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Shena's Piece: A Complicated Talk With My Mother
When she was 11 years old, Shena watched her mom get arrested for drug abuse. Shena and her siblings were sent into the foster care system, where they found both struggles and surprising allies. Now that she's close to becoming an adult herself, Shena finds herself reconciling with her mother during a difficult conversation. Listen to Shena's Piece: A Complicated Talk With My Mother » |
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Tyona: What music means to me
Tyona sees power in making music, even though the opportunities to do so are few and far between. Here's what music means to Tyona. |
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Mentor Stories: Patti & Daneka
How the heck does a person crochet? Patti saw a unique bonding opportunity to teach her friend Daneka this hands-on craft. As part of WYEP's collaboration with the Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania, we take a listen to a conversation between Patti and Daneka to discover how they found common ground through needles and yarn. |
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The Cost of College
Ah, college. Some say it's the key to the American Dream. For some students, however, it's pretty daunting when you figure in competition for financial aid, student loans, entrance exams and everything else that comes with the stress of applying for college. FreeZone correspondent Ivory Bennett chats with FreeZone producer Stephan Bontrager about what's on her mind during this tricky period. |
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Election Night: This is Really Happening
When Barack Obama became the first African American to be elected President, not everyone was happy about it. FreeZone correspondents Anthony and Aaron discuss the complicated reaction to race and politics that happened after Election Night. |
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Trick or Treat?
Every October, kids dress in costumes and go door-to-door asking for candy. Not everyone is so enthusiastic about Halloween, however. FreeZone correspondent Dynae examines different attitudes about faith and the October holiday. |
