How does Artflame, now at Norwich's Foundry 66, help young musicians pursue careers?

NORWICH — New London resident Kela Parker, who performs as Kela Nore’, said she likes the connections, and friendships, she’s made with other participants in Artflame’s music mentorship program.

“It’s like a family,” Parker said.

Artflame, a nonprofit started in 2020 by Andrew Camacho, recently moved from its original location in New London to Foundry 66 in Norwich. The 501c3 nonprofit aims "to build a comfortable and inspiring environment for creative youth throughout our community to learn new skills,” in music and other artistic fields.

Camacho said the program isn’t pinned to one area.

“Creativity is everywhere, and we happen to have a lot of people we collaborate (with) in Norwich,” Camacho said.  

Currently, the only program the non-profit has is the music mentorship program, which has been supported by a $9,000 grant from the Garde Arts Center in New London. The program, which accepts participants aged 9 to 19, both teaches how to be better musicians and about the business side of the music industry.

Over 13 weeks, the course culminates in the digital release of an album, with the young performers getting money from it. Currently, there are seven total participants, including Camacho's son.

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Camacho's son inspired him to start the program, he said. Camacho, who performs as Suave Ski, made his son a song every year as a birthday gift. When his son turned seven, Camacho said he wanted to join him and appeared on a song. As his son took things more seriously, Camacho got his now nine-year-old son registered to receive royalties. Then, Camacho thought about helping out other young artists get to where they were making royalties off their music.

“Art and music is a real field,” Camacho said. “ A lot of people see it as something you’re doing to be creative, or just have fun, but it’s a business, and you can be successful from it, so we wanted to give them a fair opportunity.”

With the program, Camacho said there’s a 50/50 balance between the business portion and the creative portion of the program.  Camacho said he focuses on the music portion where Peter Helms, the artist manager, focuses on the business portion.

Some of the people the young artists will get to meet with include James “Bimmy” Antney, who managed acts such as Mariah Carey, Run DMC, and LL Cool J, and a current producer from New York.

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Norwich resident Jordan Desimone, 19, who performs as Love Jordo, joined the program because Helms invited him. Desimone, who is also recording and performing on his own, said the program has been helpful because it’s strengthened his business skills with the industry, “learning when they’re trying to trick you, or manipulate you into signing contracts that aren’t the best for your career.”

Desimone, whose style comes from melodic rappers like Lil Baby, also said he’s learning from his peers in the program as well.

“Markeyy, he’s got a different style, but it’s good to learn from him because his flow, how he can freestyle hop on beats,” Desimone said about fellow music mentorship program participant Demarcus Green.

Like others in the program, Parker, 20, said she’s working on her music. One song she’s working on right now is called “Burning Bridges.” Parker, who said Mary J. Blige is one of her influences, said she has two verses in place, but there’s still plenty of work to do.

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“I’ve been listening to it over and over again, since it’s something I went through, so I wrote it when I was down, recently,” Parker said.

By the end of the program, the album will be released, accompanied by music videos and promo photos of the young artists.

Helms said Artflame will be adding more programs as it expands, including video editing, graphic design, business classes and more.

“We want to educate folks on that in a practical way, and more,” Helms said.

For his own career, Desimone is confident he’ll become a platinum artist, “staying in the game for a long time,” with big performances. As for anyone thinking about joining the program, Desimone said people should give it a try.

“Whatever your art is, you should come in, do it, give your 110%, and show Pete and Suave what you guys got,” Desimone said.