JAMMS (Journalism as Music, Multimedia, and Songwriting) is an experiential learning program for diverse faiths, cultures, and ethnicities to discover common ground through facilitated dialogue and collaborative songwriting, multimedia, and performance. JAMMS is a culturally immersive program in which participants engage in rich and meaningful conversations about their communities, learning about each other's cultural, religious, racial, and ethnic backgrounds and discovering their common ground in the process. From these conversations participants select a theme to write a song as a group, record it, produce a music video, and present both in a public performance.
JAMMS integrates social and emotional learning (SEL), diversity training, and a unique pedagogy based upon select educational and social psychology practices. Participants gain self-confidence, cultivate empathy and compassion, and strengthen their communication and collaborative skills to help them constructively navigate today's complex landscape of social / cultural conflict and bullying.
To date, more than 50 JAMMS songs and videos have been written and produced throughout the U.S. and Middle East. The trailers of two short films about the program can be seen on Vimeo: From Madness to Music and Amplified: Young Voices Rising. JAMMS is produced in partnership with high schools, colleges, community organizations, religious / cultural institutions, and other non-profits, and is open to musicians and non-musicians alike. The program is lead by professional musicians, multimedia creators, and educators trained as MIC facilitators.
