Through charitable gifts in conjunction with the HCA Foundation and individual donors, Creative Community, Inc (a 501(c)3 non-profit company dba re:create, Inc and Kalein) is able to provide re:create Nashville 2012 full tuition scholarships to three outstanding high school artists from around the United States. These three amazing students represent the artistic genres of filmmaking, music and the technical arts.
Justin Burke, Age 15, Austin, TX
At 18 months Justin was drumming syncopated beats in diapers, so he got his first kit and took off from there. He’s been drumming for youth services since age 10, and has recently been taking some vocal leads for his band, The Uprising, at Gateway Church Austin, the church his family started 13 years ago. Learning drums and guitar from his dad, Justin takes voice from YouTube videos, and has loved exploring and developing his natural talent in film making. At age 12 he started producing his own music videos, which he showcases on his YouTube station, Toastymedia, resulting in over 5 million views and 30,000 subscribers. As a YouTube partner, he has reached people all over the globe with his fresh approach to music and video. As a competitive soccer player and skilled parkourer, Justin is a true Renaissance kid, as he never stops creating and hungers for more adventure and excellence in any creative arts area he can get his hands on. His trip to an orphanage in India last year has fueled a desire to make even more of a difference in the world through his creativity and passions. The coolest thing about Justin, now 15, is he loves Jesus, the Source that drives him to keep pushing himself toward excellence in music, the arts, and all things creative.
Emilie Kirkpatrick, Age 17, Temecula, CA
Imagine badgering your dad and mom for more than two years for a guitar and lessons. Emilie was seven at the time. By age 13 Emilie was singing and playing with her musician dad in front of hundreds of people as a member of the church rock band. Emilie’s parents knew music was more than just a passing fancy when she turned 14-years-old and decided to spend the babysitting money she worked a year saving. This industrious teen walked into the Guitar Center in Murrieta California with a box of small bills to buy her very own electric guitar–a Gibson SG with a worn cherry finish. With this passion for music, also came a flood of encouragement from those touched deeply by her singing. Few who have known her growing up are surprised at her chosen path as an emerging singer-songwriter.
It was in the Bay Area city of San Jose where Emilie was born. Currently, Emilie’s mom works as an elementary educator at a local charter school in Wildomar and her dad as a musician, freelance author and blogger. Her younger brother happens to be one of her biggest fans. As a homeschool student and senior in high school the balance between youth group, family, performances and her songwriting keep Emilie constantly on the go. Besides her musical talents, this young woman desires to have a career as a graphic artist. The website C28.com has purchased several of her designs which are currently sold online. She has always been active in her church youth group and her faith as a Christian is a huge motivator for her as an artist.
Emilie just finished working on her first professional recording “My Oh My”–a three-song EP produced by Ramy Antoun. Mr. Antoun is founder and president of CAG (Creative Arts Group). As a producer he recently recorded artists such as Sara Overall and the 1211 Band and is also credited on albums as a session drummer by artists including Black Eyed Peas, Pat Benatar, Paul Oakenfold, Buckethead, Katie Rose, Alannah Myles, Michael Brooke, and Glen Phillips. Ramy has coached and mentored dozens of very gifted artists so this recording will be a huge win for young Emilie.
In 2010 Emilie was mentored in songwriting by Grammy nominated artist Sarah Kelly at the Sarah Kelly School of Music. Sarah and teacher Jonas Eckman, besides teaching her music, helped her write and finish some of her very first songs. It took her serendipitous experience with this extremely gifted singer-songwriter to expose her gift in songwriting. Emilie has keen ear for writing melodies and an honest and fresh approach in her lyrics. As a singer, she demonstrates a naturally expressive and powerful vocal. These two things make for a compelling combination in a singer-songwriter. With her growing skills and experience, Emilie hopes to inspire people and put a smile on their face as she writes and performs her songs about life and faith.
You can connect with Emilie on Social Media:
- Twitter: @emilie_music
- Facebook.com/emiliemusic
- Youtube.com/emiliemusicvideos
- Blog: EmilieKirkpatrick.com
Andrew Tagliaboschi, 21
Andrew is a student at Western Kentucky University. He has been involved in church technical arts and worship, specifically sound and video, for 10 years. For the last 2 years he has served as the Technical Director at Broadway United Methodist Church in Bowling Green, KY. As the TD, Andrew is responsible for care, and maintenance for the AVL systems in 6 venues across 2 campuses. He is responsible for the training of volunteers, and is the lead sound engineer. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys playing guitar and drums, as well leading worship for the Wesley Foundation on WKU’s campus.