Youth on Record

WIN COOL STUFF. SUPPORT A GREAT CAUSE.

Bid on unique items like:
🤘A Custom Casa Lotos x Meier Snowboard
🤘A Cowboy Hat Experience with Hats by Parker Thomas
🤘One-of-a-Kind Ratio Beerworks x Meier Skis
🤘A Ratio Beerworks Merch Package

Place your bid today at the link in Youth on Record's bio or at https://givebutter.com/c/silent-auction-benefitting-youth-on-record

The winning bids will directly support Youth on Record's programs 💛

Youth on Record is a youth development nonprofit that equips Colorado youth ages 11-24 to find their voice and achieve their goals through free music and
media arts programming. Since 2008, the organization has combined award-winning programs with community-building efforts to support young creatives. Through studio access, out-of-school programs, technical training, and apprenticeship opportunities, Youth on Record helps youth succeed not only as artists but in their education and lives. Learn more at youthonrecord.org.

Huge congratulations to Kalyn Heffernan of Wheelchair Sports Camp on receiving the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Social Impact Artist Award.

Kalyn has been part of the Youth on Record community for more than a decade, as an artist, mentor, educator, UMS Accessibility Lead, and, for the past three years, Lead Faculty for our Fellowship program. Her impact on YOR and Colorado's creative community is hard to overstate.

We love seeing artists recognized and invested in. That's why YOR continues to invest directly in young artists through our Fellowship program, providing funding, mentorship, and space to develop creative practice and build creative lives and careers.

It's a value we share with the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, and we're thrilled to see that investment recognized in Kalyn. We know that our Fellows will see this award and see what's possible.

One of Kalyn's mentees and YOR Fellow shared, "Kalyn did a really good job instilling hope in me as an artist in Denver and laying out a path for success. She gave me insight into what could happen and what my possibilities are."

Kalyn didn't arrive here overnight. She built a career through years of creativity, persistence, activism, and hard work. She's truly leading by example.

Congratulations, Kalyn. We're grateful for you and are always in awe! We can't wait to support Wheelchair Band Camp. Bring it!

Read the full story from The Colorado Sun: https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/15/three-denver-artists-win-bonfils-stanton-grant-50000/

Your last chance to see music at Civic Center EATS this June!

Next Wednesday and Thursday, stop by Civic Center Park from 11am-2pm for food trucks and live music courtesy of Youth on Record.

Broken Lens is a brand-new Colorado-raised rapper whose introspective lyrics help you explore the deepest facets of life. Since his debut in June of 2024, Broken Lens has taken the Denver music scene by storm, performing concerts and shooting music videos in the area. Fans are captivated by the way he uses his lyrics to strike listeners deep in their emotions, while maintaining a professional, detailed sound.

Hala Hooper is an upcoming indie artist known for writing her own songs and tearing up the stage. With a mission to de-stigmatize mental illness by being honest about her BPD, OCD, and Bipolar 2 diagnosis, her music stands out for its unrelenting honesty and first-person narrative style.

We'll be back at Civic Center Park with a new lineup of artists in July - stay tuned for the lineup drop!

Make your plans now to check out Civic Center EATS next week!

Featuring two incredible vocalists from the YOR community: Yeji and brookLYNN.

Yeji is a jazz and blues vocalist, pianist, and songwriter studying Ethnomusicology at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She is also a member of Denver bands Special Blend and DaJey.

brookLYNN is a Denver-based q***r artist blending introspective songwriting with atmospheric pop and R&B influences. Her music explores themes of identity, growth, and emotional honesty, delivered through expressive vocals and reflective storytelling.

Civic Center EATS takes place every Wednesday and Thursday from 11am-2pm in Civic Center Park, featuring local food trucks and emerging artists. Come for the eats, and stay for the beats!

Thank you for joining us at the Colors of Sound Pride Showcase!

It was so special to kick off Pride Month with the YOR community, lifting up the voices of q***r artists in Denver - all of whom have made their mark at Youth on Record ♥️🧡💛💚💙💜

Be sure to check out the artists who performed and give their music a listen:



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And special thanks to Alpine Eatery Food Truck for serving up delicious plant based options for our community.

Stay tuned for future *free* concerts and performances at Youth on Record.

Happy Pride! 🏳️‍🌈

📸 Lucy Richardson

Reminder: There is no YCC tonight!

We'll be back on on THURSDAY June 18th with a *free* workshop on social media and content strategy, led by YOR Fellowship Alumni, Westword Social Media Editor, and Content Creator Katrina Leibee!

The workshop runs 7-8pm and Young Creatives Campus (aka free studio time!) runs 7-9pm, so stick around after to work on your projects, jam, or collab.

Register in advance for the workshop - DM us with any questions.

We can't wait for next week's Civic Center EATS, featuring performances from Mae Hunniford & Carlitos Villalpando 🤩

Mae Hunniford brings together the best of the pop, rock and punk to create familiar, nostalgic music with her own unique twist. Powered by a sensational and energizing live performance that has been described as “a cataclysmic hurricane of musical expression”, combined with heartfelt, relatable songwriting, Mae is a can’t-miss artist.

Carlitos Villalpando is a Denver native, first generation American, and singer songwriter. Inspired by Damon Albarn's song writing, Tom Waits' lyricism, and Dave Bixby's raw storytelling, Carlitos takes his lived experiences and puts them to songs, hoping to take those listening on a trip they can relate and reminisce to. His sound is self described as "Indie Doomer Folk", but others describe him as Shoegaze Folk. Give him a listen and see which label fits best!

Stop by Civic Center Park every Wednesday & Thursday from 11am-2pm for food trucks, sunny weather, and local musicians from the YOR community.

Come for the food, stay for the tunes

Friday's lineup 😍😍😍

Join us THIS FRIDAY June 5th for the Colors of Sound: Pride Showcase at Youth on Record!

If you know Youth on Record, you know we're always lifting up emerging artists. And this month, we're excited to be spotlighting q***r voices in the YOR community.

Details:
- Friday June 5th
- 5:30-7pm
- YOR Outdoor Stage (10th & Navajo)
- FREE! All ages welcome.
- Alpine Eatery Food Truck will be on site!

RSVP in advance at the link in bio to be entered in a prize giveaway at the event. Must be present to redeem prize.

Our summer schedule looks a little different!

We're excited to welcome students to a a digital animation camp, middle school summer camp, and high school podcast camp in our studio throughout June and July - and it means our usual programs are adjusting.

Here are some changes you need to know:
✅ Enrichment classes are paused and will return in the fall!
✅ Young Creatives Campus is paused and will return THURSDAY June 18th! It will be held two Thursdays a month moving forward.
✅ We will still offer studio booking during the summer, but availability of days and times will vary. The typical schedule will return in the fall.

Any questions? You can always DM us or email [email protected] for more info!

Gratitude post for Mental Health Action Day and everyone who made it possible 💛

Earlier this month, during Mental Health Awareness Month, Youth on Record hosted a Mental Health Action Day - a full afternoon of mental health and wellness themed workshops for high school students followed by an incredible community concert, featuring young artists and community partners.

The support, community, and care were palpable all day long. Huge thanks to everyone involved, including:

💛Youth on Record’s Mental Health & Wellness Advocates, who supported in planning and ex*****on of the event, Rayann Hussain, Nico Ethos, and Hala Hooper

💛 Incredible performers Hala Hooper, P.K.Sh3lby, and Soneffs!

💛 Workshop facilitators Marissa Casados (Indigenous Healing Project), Melissa Ivey, Sedona Moreno-Castelan (Eye for Prevention), Michelle Sepulveda (Curioso Cats Arts & Crafts), Ronnie Qi (Apprentice of Peace),Tamika Thomas (Urban Collective Counseling), & Xochitl Portillo (Denver School of Arts)

💛 Community partners who brought resources: Denver Public Library, Eye for Prevention, Fortaleza Familiar, Mile High Behavioral Healthcare, Mo Betta Farms, Movimiento Poder, NAMI, Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountains, & WellPower

💛 Maria + Maiz Food Truck and Jason + Ollin Cafetzin for delicious food and mocktails

💛 And of course, YOR’s Mental Health & Wellness Manager Gavrielle Reyes!

While today may be the last day of Mental Health Awareness Month, the mental health and wellness work we do at Youth on Record continues year round. You can read more about it on our blog at youthonrecord.org/blog