SLB Radio’s Open Studio welcomes tweens and teens who want to learn podcasting

Photo above courtesy of SLB Radio.

It seems like everyone has a podcast these days. From adults to teens, we’re all listening — and many people are getting curious about creating audio content of their own. You may know some teenagers who are interested in pursuing media production. Maybe they have an idea for a podcast or want to use audio for a school project, or maybe they just want to emulate their favorite internet-based personalities! But not every family or school has access to the equipment or knowledge to support students’ interest in audio media creation, and that’s where SLB Radio’s Youth Media Center Open Studio (YMC) comes in.

With recording studios, equipment, and an encouraging environment, YMC is more than ready to provide access to the technology kids need to make their creative audio dreams come true.

Located in the basement of the Children’s Museum at SLB Radio’s very cool headquarters, YMC Open Studio is a drop-in program for teenagers in grades 6-12. Here, participants can learn about and participate in everything that goes into podcasting — from writing to recording to editing to publishing. Students can take advantage of all of these resources at no cost, including use of the recording studios and equipment, books and games.

Best of all, the space is staffed by welcoming, experienced people. One of these staff educators is Annalise Abraham, who is super excited about the program.

“It’s a fun, relaxed kind of environment,” Abraham says. “Everyone is welcome, whether or not you have experience doing any of these things or not. We’re excited to have it finally open and to have people just go wild in there! We have everything to make it happen. Recording studios, equipment, media stations. And our awesome staff is there all the time.”

If the kids who drop in at SLB Radio aren’t sure where to start, that’s no problem.

“We have pre-made guides for people who come in unsure of what they’re interested in,” says Annalise. “You can come in and see past projects, documentaries, and interviews.”

The YMC team also encourage students to come hang out, play games and make connections in the YMC space.

Along with helping kids explore the technical side of audio production, the staff is planning to add other specialized educational workshops. This month, for example, they hope to host a creative writing workshop, and possibly a public speaking day.

“We’re hoping to bring in outside experts,” Abraham says.

SLB Radio’s Youth Media Center Open Studio is open for drop-in visitors on Mondays through Thursdays from 3 p.m. to  7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. It’s free, with no requirements for long-term commitments. Teens can just drop in and start their creative media journey anytime!

Click here for more information and links to the calendar and sign-up form.

Want to learn more about SLB Radio? Check out our stories on RADcasts and teen podcast takeovers. And you can hear local teens on the PublicSource podcast.