James Hardy Martin conducts a class at the White Hall Arts Academy in South Los Angeles. The academy has added a Soundworks program to teach transitional aged foster youth and young people involved in the juvenile justice system in sound engineering, lighting design and video production.
Courtesy photo
By Shirley Hawkins
Contributing Writer
SOUTH LOS ANGELES — The White Hall Arts Academy Foundation has launched its fall Soundworks High Road Workforce Development Program that trains transitional aged foster youth and young people involved in the juvenile justice system in sound engineering, lighting design and video production.
The 10-week program that starts Oct. 4, will offer hands-on training in audio, video and lighting.
Graduates will receive career placement or apprenticeships with local production studios so they can complete their 80 hours of on-the-job training at the White Hall Arts Academy in South Los Angeles or various other entertainment venues.
The program, which focuses on technical skills, also offers wraparound support, including trauma-informed care, mental health workshops and socio-emotional development.
Charyn Harris, general manager of the White Hall Arts Academy Foundation, came up with the Soundworks program idea in 2014, said Tanisha Hall, founder of the White Hall Arts Academy.
U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Los Angeles, honored the inaugural graduates of the soundworks program and founder Tanisha Hall at the foundation’s recent third annual Rock the Block Festival. Kamlager-Dove has been instrumental in connecting the program with opportunities through various entertainment worker’s unions.
In July 2025, Soundworks was selected as a high road training program through the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity, enabling the White Hall Arts Academy Foundation to expand the program across Los Angeles County.
Additional support for the program came from the California Community Foundation/Liberty Hill’s Ready to Rise initiative, Sony Music’s Global Social Justice Fund, and the Specialty Family Foundation. To date, the White Hall Arts Academy Foundati has raised more than $1 million to support the Soundworks program.
The White Hall Arts Academy Foundation has instructed more than 5,000 students through private lessons in the studio. Training is also available online through Zoom.
“Soundworks is not just about teaching technical skills — it’s about creating pathways to stability, self-confidence and belonging for youth who have historically been overlooked,” Hall said. “As we welcome our second class this fall, we are investing in the next generation of sound engineers, lighting designers and creative leaders who will shape the future of entertainment.
The White Hall Arts Academy is a performing and visual arts education facility in South Los Angeles that was founded in 2011 by Berklee College of Music alumna Hall.
“I’m happy that 14 years later it still offers South Los Angeles youth classes in the arts,” said Hall, who added that the academy offers a blend of classical and contemporary arts training for children and adults.
Private and group music lessons are available for all ages in piano, violin, guitar, bass, singing, drums, songwriting and recording.
“I have been a foster parent and I understand how important it is for them to have a creative outlet,” she said.
Applicants must be between the ages of 18 to 28, have a history of justice and/or foster system involvement or be unemployed for six months or more; and must reside in Los Angeles County Supervisorial Districts 1, 2 or 4. Applicants must also either submit a short video (one to three minutes) or a written statement (up to 300 words).
To apply for the Soundworks Workforce Development Program, access www.soundworks.whitehallacademy.org.
