MILWAUKEE — Inside Tymeless Studio in downtown Milwaukee, a new music academy is training the next generation of up and coming musicians.
Kaylee Crossfire is the founder of Fueling Your Fire Music Academy and is a veteran in the hip hop and rap industry. She's taking her years of experience and using it to empower artists in the Milwaukee area.
"What this academy is for, it's really based for new artists who just need some help who just need navigation [or] who don’t know where to start," Kaylee says.
Kaylee teaches students about the music business and gives them the skills they need to break into the industry.
"I’m teaching about music business 101. It's not just about one thing right its about the music business as well and I feel like every artist should be equipped with that understanding [of the] music business if they’re going to be in the music industry," Kaylee says.
Students of all ages can join the academy.
Timia Curtain is a 14-year-old aspiring singer with her eyes set on the big stage. She goes by the stage name of "Mish."
"I'm not really singing it just for me but I'm singing it for other people too," Curtain said. "Kaylee just taught me to, you know, put the nervousness aside and just focus on what you’re singing and like feel it a lot. Now, I'm, like, I'm not nervous anymore."
Keondre Gholston, 29, is also building his career through sessions at Fueling Your Fire. Gholston goes by the stage name of "Protegé."
"I’ve learned so much how to market myself how to brand myself how to create sources of revenue for myself," Gholston says.
Gholston, who describes himself as a creator, hopes the music he creates at the academy will put Milwaukee on the international hip hop stage.
"I think that there is a lot of healing that can be involved with music and I want to do my part," says Gholston. "I want to help Milwaukee be not just a staple in the United States but around the world."
Through Kaylee's help and mentorship, Gholston and Curtain are joining other students in creating a name for themselves in the industry.
"I'm teaching them about stage presence, how to work a room. How to feel comfortable with the crowd, you know, because people feed off your energy when you’re performing so if you’re not confident with yourself the people will see that," Kaylee says.
Kaylee is also using her platform to empower more young, female artists.
"I wanted to be that big sister, that mentor to other teens and women in the community, who just needed that assistance and just a comfortable space for us," says Kaylee.
Fueling Your Fire Music Academy offers four-week sessions starting at $50 for youth and $60 for adults.
To enroll or inquire about more information, visit the academy's Facebook page or email fuelingyourfiremusicacademy@gmail.com.
