#FineFellasFriday: A Musical Mentor "Zane Robinson", Help Save His Program

#FineFellasFriday: A Musical Mentor “Zane Robinson” Help Save His Program

This is my third time featuring Zane Robinson on one of my online platforms. He’s just so fabulous I had to feature him more than once. I originally met Zane while I was studying journalism at Virginia Commonwealth University. I don’t remember us talking much, but I do remember him having this quiet strength about him. Fast forward a few years and Zane now works in Richmond City Hall. I’ve come to discover his real passion is mentoring kids through music and his program has lost its sponsorship. I’m writing this blog in hopes of encouraging others (people with money and resources) to help keep it going.

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I reconnected with Zane in June when I was trying to fight my third parking ticket at Richmond City Hall. He told me about his dream project called Life’s Dream Music Education School, a music production and composition class. The production piece of the program is supported by Zane's business partner Dollar and a Dream Production. 

The program teachex teens ages 14 to 19  music, production, story telling and teamwork. As a self-proclaimed storyteller myself I was psyched (my cool word for excited) to see his program in action.

When I arrived at the Bellmeade Community Center, I took a flight of stairs to the ground floor. Before I could open the door, I heard the steady beat of drums, a bass line, and kids laughing. As a long time music lover it was my kind of place. 

The studio was made of cubicle style walls, and a simple door, but inside it was so much more extraordinary. Turn tables, Apple computers, music programs were all buzzing to life in this little studio, and at the center was Zane. You know how you can see someone and just know they are in their element? In that moment Zane Robinson was in his element.

“How does this make you feel?” Zane asks one of his female students.

She looks as if she’s thinking, trying to find the right words. Zane is working with the young lady on a song she’s been writing for a few days. I later learn the girl’s name is Jocelyn Hill. A singer and song- writer, Jocelyn was recently accepted to a historically black college for music. The chick slays! She’s also a Franklin Military Academy graduate and valedictorian.

It doesn’t get any better than that.

Jocelyn sings a melody. Her voice is soft, delicate, yet it seems to contain so much depth.

“Trying to find it?” Zane asks. In this moment I see that music writing is hard work. It’s so much more than putting some words to paper, and I’m a lot jealous I don’t have the knack for it.

While Zane and Jocelyn are ironing out their latest song, in the corner another student is watching rap music videos. The square in me doesn’t see how this kid is learning by watching music videos, and then Zane’s guidance shows me there’s quite a lot to learn from rappers, and hip hop stars.

Zane breaks away from Jocelyn and sits with a young man surfing Youtube for rap artists.

“Are studying this video or just watching it?” he asks. What is Zane some musical Yoda? (Kidding) What a cool question. “Are you studying this video or just watching?” There’s totally a difference. It’s like half way watching television versus really connecting on with the show’s players, plots, and themes.

Zane then tells the young man to go to an artist named Jadakiss. They watch a few of his music videos, and I understand what Zane means by studying a music video. Instead of just rocking out to the bass line Zane points out moments in the song where Jadakiss is using imagery, foreshadowing, and timing to tell a story. It’s a mixture of the cinematography, and the lyrics. He shows the young man how Jadakiss uses certain camera angles to convey a point. I had this kind of conversations in college level film appreciation and American literature. Here these kids are learning in high school.

There’s an art to music, and Zane wants to cultivate that art with Richmond high schoolers. Life’s Dream Music Education School is a 12 week program where students get to write and produce their own music. The program even allows the kids a chance to perform at public venues in Richmond, and rub elbows with a few rap celebrities.

It’s pretty school that there was a program around to give some of Richmond’s youth a healthy outlet for the life stories. You can help keep the program going by contact Zane Robinson on Facebook or his website www.lifesinterpretation.com

The program is no longer being sponsored by Richmond Public Schools. Here’s where you come in. Zane’s program has lost its sponsorship, meaning they have no place to play next semester. Zane is doing all he can to keep the doors for the kids. If you’re interested helping this mentorship go to www.lifesinterpretation.com or find Life’s Interpretation on Facebook.

Thanks for letting me see your amazing organization and for being a #finefella who is giving back.