The “S.T.A.R.S. program is a magnet that attracts America’s youth, captures their imagination, and through its challenging activities – transforms them. In so doing, our participants are able to realize outstanding achievement, accomplishment and success.
S.T.A.R.S. provides a safe haven and opportunities for young artists to create, develop, perform, build character and have a lot of fun while they become successful model citizens.
S.T.A.R.S. is an entrepreneurial, educational, experience, through music and the arts. S.T.A.R.S. provides an innovative approach to reach, and engage youth between the ages of eleven (11) and twenty-two (22) in unique audio, video and graphic arts programming designed to pique their interest.
The S.T.A.R.S. program is based upon the business model of Jr. Achievement combined with the creative and competitive, musical concepts of Motown Records: participants run their own music business. We teach Artist Development.
The program boasts a higher than 90% high school graduation rate. Many attend institutes of higher education including the Berklee College of Music, Columbia University and Full Sail while others own their own recording studios and or film studios. Several signed recording contracts with Sony Music, were winners of the Apollo, have appeared on American Idol, the “NewWave”:International Competition, and have won countless awards. SEE FEATURED ARTIST “S.T.A.R.S. HALL OF FAME”
S.T.A.R.S. was created by musician / producer Chris Powell. Some of the artists he has worked with include Stevie Wonder, Rick James, Destiny’s Child (Beyonce), Troop, Teen Dream and Paula Abdul. Powell has more than 30 years of music experience and was and artist and producer signed with Motown Records.
S.T.A.R.S. has locations in the USA and also INTERNATIONALLY.
For the past 4 years S.T.A.R.S. has had locations in Cincinnati, Columbus and more recently in the LeBron James Boys and Girls Club in Akron.
The program also has participants in South Africa, Ghana, Brazil, England, and Australia.