Kickback, Relax, and Support some great causes.
This year - Amplify is fundraising for Ypsilanti Community Schools, hosting an event featuring performances from our Amplify Fellows, youth talent from YCHS, and interludes from community members, the common thread being youth empowerment through music education.
Music programs in schools are the backbone of the wider music scene, everyone needs to start somewhere. YCS music programs provide a much-needed creative outlet for youth in schools, let’s give support where we can make an impact.
OCT 27
2022
(IT WAS AN AMAZING SHOW - THANKS FOR SUPPORTING US)
Ypsilanti Community Schools
2022 Community Partner
Join Amplify and YCS for a special evening to highlight the success and need for public support of the YCHS Music Department, raising awareness and funds for the brilliance within it. There will be performances from YCHS students with sets from the 2022 Amplify Fellows, Ki5, and Lorian Janine. The show will also featured words spoken about the program by Crystal Harding (of YCHS) and district leadership regarding the importance of the arts in education for Ypsilanti students and the wider Washtenaw county area.
The Show Features:
2022 Fellows
Ki5 Loops
& Lorian Janine
Kyler Wilkins, from Ann Arbor, Michigan, has been performing as Ki5 with a loop station capturing original vocal arrangements and covers since 2017. Ki5 delivers familiar genres such as R&B, pop, and folk through the lens of an a cappella singer-songwriter & producer.
Lorian Janine has put out her first single project, “Middle of the Sea,” with the Amplify Fellowship. Lorian is a creative singer-songwriter originally from Detroit who works within the public school system in Washtenaw County.
YCHS Talent
Nathan Clayborne & Naima Lewis
MC Extraordinaire
Isaac
from Formula 734
Isaac comes to us from the Formula 734 project, which engages intergenerational men of color in the music-making process to amplify their voices in Washtenaw County, Michigan. The project is created through a partnership between Washtenaw County My Brother's Keeper, Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office, Project Plugin, and Creative Fluidity Productions.
Can’t make it to the show?
Want to show some extra support?
Amplify is fundraising a little longer this year.
Donate
This year, we are opening up donations for the entire season, not just our fundraising events. Splitting all donations 3 ways until December 31st. A third of all donations will go to YCS Music Programs, a third will go directly to the 2022 Fellows: Ki5 and Lorian Janine, and the final third will go towards Amplify programming for our 2023 Season.
NOW - UNTIL DEC 31
Who gets the ticket money & donations?
2022 Fellows
Ki5 & Lorian Janine
At Amplify, we believe in putting money directly in our artists' pockets. Which is why any fundraising our artists/fellows are a part of we split funds evenly.
Ypsilanti Community Schools
YCS believes that with a sense of community, everyone has common goals to help one another grow. YCS values the uniqueness of teachers and students.
Amplify Project
Programming Costs
The Amplify Project targets resources and opportunities towards African-American musicians in Washtenaw County in an effort to augment the ecosystem of creativity and strategic growth in our area's musical imprint.
(That’s it)
About the 2022 Fellows
Ki5 Loops
Singer-songwriter and producer Kyler Wilkins, from Ann Arbor, Michigan, has been performing as Ki5 with a loop station capturing original vocal arrangements and covers since 2017. Ki5 delivers familiar genres such as R&B, pop, and folk through the lens of an a cappella singer-songwriter. His honest, empathetic, and freeing style has been influenced by Reggie Watts, Bobby McFerrin, and Bon Iver. In August 2022, Ki5 released his debut full-length album “Spirit” in partnership with the Amplify Fellowship.
Lorian Janine
Lorian Janine is a creative singer-songwriter from Detroit Michigan. She began playing the violin at age eight and continued to grow in her musical gift to play the guitar and drums. Although she sang in her church choir from age 11, Lorian didn’t find her own passion for singing and begin to explore her voice until 18. Lorian has put out her first single project, “Middle of the Sea,” with the Amplify Fellowship.
New!
The Amplify Awards
This year we will be recognizing organizations and people we have seen be change-makers in the community. We will be presenting these awards at the Kickback event on October 27th.
The Amplifier Award
Given to an Individual for Community Building through Music
This Year’s Recipient: Jamall Bufford (Buff1) - Formula 734 / Washtenaw My Brothers’ Keeper
The Heartbeat of Washtenaw Award
Given to an Organization that is vital to the community and building our programming
This Year’s Recipient: Ann Arbor Summer Fest - James Carter
2021 Kickbacks
