CENTER OF LIFE

KRUNK MOVEMENT AND COL JAZZTHE KRUNK MOVEMENT IS A STUDENT-LED MUSIC AND HEALTH INITIATIVE THAT USES THE ELEMENTS OF HIP-HOP THROUGH SONGWRITING, BEAT MAKING, RECORDING ENGINEERING, VISUAL ART, AND EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT TO COMMUNICATE POSITIVE MESSAGES ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS AND MENTAL HEALTH TO PEERS. KRUNK STUDENTS REGULARLY UTILIZE VISIONING STRATEGIES AND MINDFULNESS/MEDITATION PRACTICES TO FOCUS IN ON THEIR EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING TO INSPIRE THEIR MUSIC.THE KRUNK MOVEMENT AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAM IS DESIGNED AS A "MICROENTERPRISE" PRODUCTION COMPANY, AS IT AIMS TO TEACH STUDENTS THE SKILLS AND PROFESSIONALISM REQUIRED TO SUCCEED IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. AS SUCH, THEPROGRAM PROVIDES RECORDING AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COL ARTISTS, PROVIDING INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE FOR THE STUDENTS AND EXPOSURE FOR THE ORGANIZATION. KRUNK ENGAGES HIGH SCHOOL AND SOME MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER ALLEGHENY COUNTY THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR AND SUMMER. KRUNK HOSTS A SUMMER CAMP, STAR CAMP, FOR STUDENTS DURING THE SUMMER. COL JAZZ IS CENTER OF LIFE'S AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAM THAT NURTURES THE INSTRUMENTAL TALENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF K-12 STUDENTS AND ADULT MUSICIANS. EMPLOYING A DIVERSE, TALENTED STAFF, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES ITS YOUNGEST STUDENTS WITH BUCKET BAND SESSIONS TO MASTER THE BASICS OF RHYTHM, AND PRIVATE LESSONS FOR STUDENTS TO DEVELOP EXPERTISE ON THE INSTRUMENT OF THEIR CHOICE, FREE-OF-CHARGE. BUDDING JAZZ ARTISTS LEARN TO MASTER JAZZ STANDARDS AND EVENTUALLY, CREATE THEIR OWN ORIGINAL MUSIC. ADVANCED STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS ON STAFF PERFORM FOR A VARIETY OF CLIENTS THROUGHOUT PITTSBURGH AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. COL JAZZ ALSO HOSTS A SUMMER CAMP, COL JAZZ CAMP, FOR STUDENTS DURING THE SUMMER.

FUSION AND CROSSOVER. FUSION IS AN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES K-8 YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH HOMEWORK HELP, PERSONALIZED ACADEMIC SUPPORT, AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. THESE ACTIVITIES CONNECT EACH CHILD'S SCHOOL LEARNING WITH SUPPLEMENTAL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO DEEPEN A STUDENT'S UNDERSTANDING OF THE ACADEMIC MATERIAL. THE PROGRAM'S HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AND HOLISTIC STRUCTURE ENCOURAGES STEAM LEARNING, SOCIALEMOTIONAL LEARNING, AND PARENT/FAMILY ENGAGEMENT. EACH SUMMER, FUSION AND CROSSOVER PROVIDE A SUMMER DAY CAMP (CAMP HAZELWOOD) WITH ACTIVITIES AND FIELD TRIPS RANGING FROM ROBOTICS AND BIOLOGY TO AFRICAN DRUMMING AND SWIMMING. THE SISTER PROGRAM TO FUSION, CROSSOVER PROVIDES K-8 YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES THAT ENCOURAGE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, HANDS-ON LEARNING, AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. THROUGH ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, MENTORSHIP, AND RECREATIONAL SPORTS, CROSSOVER PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AT EVERY LEVEL AND HELPS STUDENTS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR ACADEMICS. PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THATFOCUS ON HEALTHY INITIATIVES ENHANCE THE PROGRAM'S ABILITY TO EXPOSE STUDENTS TO ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE.