Creative Careers:
Album Production Summer Program
Apply Here by May 21, 2026
A paid summer creative career experience for DC high school students with IEPs and 504 Plans who are interested in music, media, and creative industries.
Students work with professional artists and mentors to produce and launch an original youth-created album through music production, media production, and marketing + communications.
This is a collaborative, project-based program designed for students who already have some experience and want to grow their creative skills in a real-world studio environment.
Participants complete approximately 24 hours of programming over 6 weeks and receive a stipend upon successful completion.
This is not SYEP.
Space is limited, and not all applicants will be accepted.
Is This SYEP?
No.
While this program takes place during the summer, it is separate from DC’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).
Instead of a full-time summer work schedule, students participate in approximately 4 hours per week for 6 weeks (24 total hours) and receive a stipend after successfully completing the program.
This program is designed for students who want a focused creative career experience with mentorship from working artists and media professionals.
About the Creative Teams
SchoolTalk’s Creative Careers: Album Production Program gives students the opportunity to experience what it takes to bring an album project to life from start to finish.
Participants work with professional teaching artists and creative mentors to simulate a real-world album production process while building both technical skills and career readiness.
Students join ONE production team based on their experience and interests:
Music Production Team
Write, record, and produce original songs, spoken word pieces, and audio projects.
Media Production Team
Create cover art, photography, visual design, and video content for the album release.
Marketing + Communications Team
Develop the album release strategy, promote the project, support the YouTube Live album drop, and help produce the launch event.
Each team contributes to one final youth-produced album project that is shared publicly through a community release event.
This program is best for students who already have some experience—through school, self-teaching, performances, content creation, internships, or personal projects—and are ready to strengthen their skills in a collaborative studio environment.
This is not a beginner program. It is designed for students who are serious about exploring creative careers and want hands-on industry experience.
Meet the Teaching Artists & Staff
SchoolTalk’s Creative Careers: Album Production Program supports the successful transition of D.C. high school students with disabilities by providing a safe space with access to state of the art equipment for them to use to express themselves, understand how their stories and experiences can help others, and gain marketable skills that can open doors to a range of creative careers.
Programming is delivered by a dynamic team of award-winning, professional artists, most of who are native Washingtonians, including:
- SchoolTalk: Named one of The Kennedy Center’s Next 50, a select group of 50 organizations and leaders leading the way toward a more inclusive, inspired, and compassionate world.
- Asheru (Guerilla Arts Ink): First hip hop artist to receive the prestigious Peabody Award, creator of theme song for the The Boondocks, U.S. Cultural Ambassador (State Department)
- Konshens the MC (Edutainment Unlimited): Recipient of the Grammy Academy Community Award, U.S. Cultural Ambassador (State Department), and UNCCD Land Ambassador
- Will Starks (Lyarks Films International): Named in Top 5 Photographers in Washington, D.C. – RAW Artists Awards
Teaching artists collaborate with teams of youth to create original pieces and coach youth in industry standards and in building soft skills and technical skills.
Who Should Apply?
We are looking for students who are:
- Ages 14–22
- Currently enrolled in a DC high school through June 2026
- Have an IEP or 504 Plan
- Interested in pursuing creative careers
- Able to commit to 24 total program hours during June–August 2026
- Ready to work collaboratively in a small team environment
Students should also have demonstrated experience in at least one of the following areas:
Music Production
Songwriting, recording, beat-making, spoken word, or audio production
Media Production
Photography, videography, graphic design, visual art, editing, or digital media creation
Marketing + Communications
Social media strategy, content creation, promotion, event planning, or digital campaigns
Experience can be formal (classes, performances, internships, school programs) or informal (self-taught projects, GarageBand, YouTube editing, photography, personal content creation, etc.)
Time Commitment & Location
Students participate in 24 hours of programming between June – August 2026. The program schedule will be created to best meet the needs of the accepted group of students for this cycle.
- In-person sessions will be at our studio on the Brookland Arts Walk in NE, D.C. (Metro accessible)
- Virtual sessions will be on Zoom
We Pay Youth
This professional development opportunity is FREE to participants!!! Students who successfully complete the full program receive a stipend upon completion.
Transportation
Youth or their families are responsible for transportation to and from sessions. Metro SmartTrip cards are available upon request.
Youth Content Examples
Curious what kind of projects youth have created with SchoolTalk in the past? Check out this example!
How to Apply
Click here to complete the online application.
Applications are due by May 21, 2026
Questions & Contact Information
Not sure if this project is right for you? Contact us at sarah.grime@schooltalkdc.org or 202-487-1976.
Partners
- D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities
- D.C. Department on Disability Services
