Senior Creates Youth Open Mic Space

GREENFIELD CENTER — Home to the Baroque Music Festival for decades, The Studio at 165 Wilton Road in Greenfield Center has opened its doors to a new pool of talent with the help of a Saratoga Springs High School senior. For the last few months, Rowen Synclaire has been successfully presenting a youth-targeted Open Mic event, “Express Yourself.” On the third Thursday of each month, crowds of more than a hundred young people flock to The Studio to showcase original art of all types, including music, poetry and even visual pieces. The mission of the monthly gathering is simple: create a space where teens can meet, connect and find the inspiration to pursue their interests. Synclaire first approached Elizabeth Conant, owner of The Studio, in May of 2016 when she was seeking a place to debut original tracks for her and her friends. “The Studio was the perfect laid-back venue for what I was trying to create,” said Synclaire. “Not only did I love the idea of an Open Mic for kids,” said Conant, “but I saw a need for it.” After taking over the family business in 2012, she wanted to put her own spin on things and reach out to a younger demographic. Conant granted Synclaire the space in exchange for promotional help getting The Studio’s name out publicly. Synclaire combined social media and word of mouth, as well as enlisted her mother, who is a screen-printer, to create T-shirts to hand out. With 50 kids sporting the information on T-shirts, the first Express Yourself in October was well attended. As a music teacher and working musician all her life, Conant said, “I’m still surprised every time these kids come in and claim the space so confidently as their own. There’s really something special going on here.” Dan Irizarry, a student from Saratoga Springs High School who goes by the rap-name, Cryptic, said, “If not for Rowen, we’d probably all be at home instead of out performing.” Due to a scheduling conflict, the next Express Yourself will not take place on the third Thursday this month, but instead on Feb. 9. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information on The Studio, which hosts everything from children’s art camps to meditative retreats, visit TheStudioinGreenfield.com. For more about Synclaire, visit ScrambledRecords.com