Free Access

Photos by Christian Avila

Tyler Garnett and John Hamilton

Free Access Free Access

NONPROFIT EMPOWERS YOUTH THROUGH MUSIC AND PODCASTS

Thirteen years ago, John Hamilton left Sacramento to pursue a career in digital music production. He harbored a deep passion for DJing and knew he would not be able to meet his goals if he stayed in his hometown. There simply weren’t any opportunities in the sleepy Capital City.

ZS

By Zack Sherzad Meet Your Neighbor

“In 2007, you had to be in a music city—an LA, a New York, a Nashville, an Atlanta—to really network, make moves,” Hamilton says. “Unfortunately, Sacramento has been shipping talent away to places like LA and New York.”

Having enjoyed success as a touring DJ, Hamilton’s back with a vision for his hometown that speaks to his passion for paying it forward. He believes expanded access to music production education can benefi t the Sacramento community in multifarious ways, ranging from economic to emotional.

“Music sparks the culture of an entire city, and there are so many periphery roles around having a media entertainment industry thriving in your city,” Hamilton says. “And now that everything is distributed online, you don’t need to be in New York or LA to pursue a career in the audio production industry. That creates this opportunity for a place like Sacramento to become this kind of creative oasis, if the city and the community support it.”

Hamilton’s nonprofi t is called Department of Sound, which he co-founded with Board Chair Tyler Garnett in 2018. The organization offers both online and in-person music and podcast production workshops to middle and high school students in the Sacramento area. The curriculum is already in 17 Sacramento schools, and has provided high-quality, experiencedriven audio production knowledge to more than 2,000 students.

“Music production is a really good tool to help kids be creatively empowered, develop creative confi dence and connect with their peers,” Hamilton

COLDWELL BANKER

SOLD

CHARMING IN OLD SIERRA OAKS Classic ranch home has Cape Cod look and feel. Light & bright w/ owing oorplan and plenty of windows! $1,585,000 ANGELA HEINZER 916.212.1881 CalRE#: 01004189

PENDING

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS! Large 5br/3.5ba ranch w/ stables in a private setting; Take a look! $1,250,000 ANGELA HEINZER 916.212.1881 CalRE#: 01004189 WELCOME TO SIERRA OAKS! Charming 4br/4ba home w/ curb appeal; Relax by the pool & cabana! $1,285,000 ANGELA HEINZER 916.212.1881 CalRE#: 01004189

SOLD

BRIDGEVIEW AT RIVER LAKE 4 br/3ba spacious home with sparkling pool! $950,000 ANGELA HEINZER 916.212.1881 CalRE#: 01004189 WELCOME TO LINCOLN CROSSING 4br/3ba home w/ chef’s kitchen. Start 2022 right! $649,950 ANGELA HEINZER 916.212.1881 CalRE#: 01004189 QUINTESSENTIAL SIERRA OAKS RANCH Updated 3br/2ba home w/ spacious fam rm on sizeable lot THE WOOLFORD GROUP 916.502.2120 CalRE#: 01778361

SACRAMENTO METRO OFFICE 730 Alhambra Boulevard #150 | 916.447.5900

COLDWELLBANKERHOMES.COM

©2022 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each ColdwellBanker Residential Brokerage Of ce is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. Real estate agents af liated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage or NRT LLC. CalBRE License #01908304.

says. “Access to music and sound should be treated as a utility, not a luxury.”

The nonprofi t’s programs are structured in accordance with Hamilton’s philosophy of free access. Because Department of Sound has partnered with Spotify to provide its production training on Soundtrap—a browser-based platform with very low system requirements—the program is accessible to anyone with a Chromebook and an internet connection, or even just a smartphone.

Pre-COVID, Department of Sound had been delivering its curriculum to after-school youth centers, but the lockdowns froze the programs indefi nitely. “We said to ourselves, let’s not think about the money right now,” Hamilton says. “How do we get this content out to more kids?”

The answer was to consolidate the curriculum into a top-quality, streamlined online music and podcast production class, and to post it online at no cost. Since the start of the lockdown, people from all over the U.S. (and 17 other countries) have signed up for Department of Sound’s production class.

The lessons are assembled on a foundation of top-level experience in music production, and include contributions from Grammy-winning mix engineers Ariel Borujow and Ben Arrindell, among other musicians, rappers and producers.

Department of Sound has received grants from the city of Sacramento and SMUD, both of whom are enthusiastic about the program’s long-term economic and cultural impact in the Sacramento region. Cities across the U.S. are paying attention too—and have expressed interest in funding similar programs of their own if Department of Sound’s initial “pilot program” proves itself in Sacramento.

For more information or to make a donation, visit deptofsound.org.

Zack Sherzad can be reached at zacksherzad@gmail.com. Previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @ insidesacramento. n

Let our Valentine Specialists tell your Love Story through Flowers

Cupid’s helpers for 75 years

Relles Florist & Gifts Relles Florist & Gifts

rellesfl orist.com

2400 J Street 441-1478