Community Spotlight
August Community Spotlights: The Reef Studios, Beats Rhymes and Life, The People's Conservatory, and Kinfolx
the reef studios
the reef studios![]()
the reef studios
OSA is pleased to announce that we are expanding our work-based learning continuum by offering all art students entrepreneurial opportunities and internships in various Arts subpathways at our school.
We’ve been able to partner with Oakland recording studio, The Reef Studios giving students hands-on work experience in a professional recording studio right across the street from our school! The participating students are working alongside and training directly with The Reef’s owner, Bryan C. Simmons (producer, composer, musician, songwriter, mixing, and mastering engineer) and Jarin Tindall (musician and artist).
We are so grateful for these opportunities for our students to engage with the Oakland community and learn from artists in the field!
We are so grateful for these opportunities for our students to engage with the Oakland community and learn from artists in the field!
beats rhymes and life
beats rhymes and life![]()
beats rhymes and life
We’d like to honor one of our community partners, Beats Rhymes and Life.
Through their programming, BRL was able to offer several cohorts of our high school and middle school students a semester-long, once-a-week Hip Hop therapeutic activity group centered around increasing youth voice, healthy expression, and skill development. All of these sessions incorporated the areas of critical thinking, conflict resolution, and positive peer relationships. These sessions culminated in an end-of-the-year showcase and performance opportunity with students and families from other schools in addition to OSA.
Beats Rhymes and Life offers film screenings and panel discussions, Hip Hop workshops, open mic events, studio lab sessions, and performance showcases for students involved in their programming. In their words, “through this wonderful tradition we honor the strengths, creativity and resilience of our youth and families.”
Beats Rhymes and Life offers film screenings and panel discussions, Hip Hop workshops, open mic events, studio lab sessions, and performance showcases for students involved in their programming. In their words, “through this wonderful tradition we honor the strengths, creativity and resilience of our youth and families.”
We are so grateful for this community partnership and look forward to continuing our relationship with Beats Rhymes and Life!
the people's conservatory
the people's conservatory![]()
the people's conservatory
We would like to give a special shoutout to one of our pillar community partners, The People’s Conservatory Oakland.
Founded and led by Rosalyn Nash, TPC has been instrumental in supporting our arts programs at OSA through Step It Up and the OSA Dance Program. Through this partnership, TPC has connected us with phenomenal teachers who bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise in a variety of artistic subject areas. Additionally, many of our current OSA middle and high schools received arts training at TPC prior to attending our school.
TPC’s Executive Director, Rosalyn Nash, is a dynamic leader in the Oakland arts and community building spaces. Rozz is a musician, vocalist/composer, choreographer, a theater director, and has been a teaching artist in New York City and the SF Bay Area public and private schools for over 25 years. She served as the Founding Director of Performing
TPC’s Executive Director, Rosalyn Nash, is a dynamic leader in the Oakland arts and community building spaces. Rozz is a musician, vocalist/composer, choreographer, a theater director, and has been a teaching artist in New York City and the SF Bay Area public and private schools for over 25 years. She served as the Founding Director of Performing
and Visual Arts at Roses in Concrete Community School for four years. During the pandemic, Rozz was one of the leaders in activating a space in East Oakland, Agency Oakland, which has brought multiple communities together for theatre performances, concerts, artisan markets, dance events, healing spaces, and more. Most recently, she founded Flowhouse Oakland, a movement and wellness space supporting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.
We are so grateful for The People’s Conservatory and Rozz and look forward to continued partnership!
kinfolx
kinfolx![]()
kinfolx
So much love and appreciation for one of our neighbors, Kinfolx coffee shop.
Not only is this space Black-owned, but it also serves as an art gallery and community gathering space just one block from our school. Kinfolx has opened its doors to OSA in multiple ways - sponsoring one of our sidewalk coffees and giving educator discounts on Tuesdays.
In addition, they’ve offered to hang student artwork in their space and are willing to host OSA for shows, exhibitions, and gatherings. We love having them as our neighbors and highly encourage everyone to check out their beautifully curated space!
Thank you, Kinfolx!
