From its prime location in the heart of the capital, CU Denver produces a ripple effect that extends throughout Denver and its surrounding community. With 67 percent of its students staying in Colorado after graduation, the university has consistently sculpted the culture of Denver and its neighboring areas through several fields. Last month provided a unique showcase of that culture as the city presented its sixth annual Underground Music Showcase (UMS), consisting of three days of thrilling live music from over 200 unique artists. Not only were many of these artists alumni of CU Denver’s Music & Entertainment Industry Studies program in the College of Arts & Media, but an intricate collaboration between CU Denver and a local youth organization has helped grow UMS, along with Denver’s music scene, into what it is today.
Since 2022, UMS has been co-owned by the Denver nonprofit Youth on Record. Co-founded by CU Denver faculty member and alum Andy Guerrero ’07 (pictured below), Youth on Record (YOR) focuses its mission on using music education to empower the next generation of musicians. YOR hosts a variety of free educational programs for children between the ages of 14 and 20 that provide Denver students with high school credit along with a solid foundation in musical experience. By providing access to a live recording studio and several master classes on music production, YOR and its staff are committed to ensuring that students can graduate high school and pursue their passions for the arts.
Strengthening Denver’s Music Scene
YOR’s decision to partner with UMS stemmed from a desire to strengthen Denver’s local music scene. YOR has introduced some new factors into the festival such as workshops for the festival’s performers, service fees included in the event tickets that go directly to the artists, and a scattering of alcohol-free venues to help raise drug and alcohol awareness. These changes are a heartfelt celebration of the city’s artistic diversity and aim to make the environment more welcoming for musicians and fans alike.
After founding YOR, Andy Guerrero served on the board for many years with the hope of providing crucial resources for the young musicians of Denver. His connection to his hometown and alma mater, as well as his 20+ years of experience in the music industry, had a significant impact on his strides in the local scene. “There’s a great live industry [in Denver]. We don’t have the record labels and publishers and stuff like that, but the one thing we do have here is great fertile ground for live music,” he says. “If you want to learn about production or work at a show, we have so many venues which makes this a great place to learn.”
Elevating Young Musicians
Beyond their connection through alumni, CU Denver and YOR maintain a steady relationship that consistently benefits both communities. Youth On Record currently holds a fellowship program that onboards a handful of young musicians. Although one does not have to be a student to apply for the fellowship, many past and current fellows were CU Denver students. The fellowship teaches vital information for navigating the industry while also offering a creative stipend for the participants.
Kai Wilson (pictured at right), a recording arts and guitar performance major and YOR fellow, is grateful to YOR’s dedication to elevating young musicians. “Something that really makes Youth on Record stand out is the sense of community and how they take care of the younger kids and even us fellows,” says Kai. “By collaborating with CU Denver, a path is bridged between younger musicians and college students that can create friends and role models, which could also lead said musicians to study in the MEIS program at CU in the future.”
Kai, like many of his friends and fellows at CU Denver and YOR, is deeply involved in the local music scene. Also known under the alias Wolfsun, he has been performing for over eight years, including playing in bands with his classmates and currently working as a stagehand for the Botanical Gardens concert venue. From his time in the scene, he has noticed just how interwoven CU Denver has become in the community. “It seems like almost everyone knows each other!” he says. “I’ve run into countless people when working at studios, stage handing, or performing, who either go to CU, graduated from CU, or taught at CU. Many of them work in very important positions at venues or studios. This gives Denver an advantage because of the community’s ability to lift each other up to be seen by the rest of the world.”
CU Denver Alumni in the House
This intricate connection between the university and professional scene has also become noticeable in events like UMS, with many of the show-stopping acts consisting of CU Denver alumni. Artists and Bands like 2MX2, Teresa Suydam, Clementine, and many more, can each be traced back to the MEIS program, resulting in promising careers performing in front of thousands.
The symbiotic relationship between CU Denver, YOR, and UMS consistently strengthens each organization while benefiting the music culture of Denver more broadly. With incredible opportunities available to learn and appreciate music at a university, a nonprofit, and a music festival, Denver locals have a plethora of options for incredible music at their disposal. And by way of giving back to the community, these options will only continue to grow over time.
