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UPDATE: This story was updated at 11:06 a.m. on Sept. 25, 2024.

In 2021, when Syracuse University junior Kiki Charles joined the SENSES Project, a student-focused, multimedia lab, members were confined to a tiny space at 804 University Ave. Three years later, they occupy a large room in Steele Hall, complete with DJ sets, production booths and countless instruments, having hosted over 1,000 students since this summer.

“It’s been cool to see how (the SENSES Project) developed over time, from five freshmen in a basement to an entire music production room,” Charles said.

Every semester, the SENSES Project (Studying an Environment that Nurtures Self-Exploration in Students) creates a full concept album. Students convene in the Sound Lab and work together and independently.

The SENSES Project is partnering with the SU Art Museum for its collaborative album project, which will be released at the end of the semester. While past albums have been more general, such as “A SENSES Holidays, Vol. 1” or “HEART/BREAK,” this album will be based on the “‘Homeward to the Prairie I Come:’ Gordon Parks” exhibit on display at the museum until Dec. 10.

Students will choose a photograph from the exhibit that resonates with them and create songs, beats or poems that capture the essence of the photograph or how it made them feel, said Nick Piato, the project program coordinator.

Charles said she is excited to see how this collaboration with the museum will inspire artists in the sound lab. She looks forward to seeing artists’ different interpretations of the same picture.

“The albums really push the members of the organization creatively,” Charles said. “It’s about having the confidence to come in, write something you feel proud of and put it on the album.”

The SENSES Project was initially intended to serve students in the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program and TRIO Student Support Services programs, which are part of SU’s School of Education. These programs received a CUSE grant to support underrepresented and first-generation students interested in music production.

This changed in 2022 when SENSES became a registered student organization and expanded to the wider campus community.

“It’s really cool to see how something that you push forward to become something keeps on growing and building,” Charles said.

Charles, now on the executive board of the organization, was one of many students who worked to convert the SENSES Project into an RSO. Charles said she and other students who frequented the sound lab finalized application materials to become registered.

Now registered, the organization provides the campus community with a creative and safe outlet to experiment with high-quality music production equipment. In the sound lab, students learn how to mix beats, produce music, host a podcast and more.

Ella Chan | Asst. Photo Editor

Students work together and relax in the lounge area of the SENSES Project workspace. Located in room 001 in Steele Hall, the SENSES Project Sound Lab has recording booths, instruments, DJ sets and plenty of comfortable couches for students to collaborate and enjoy each other’s company.

“(The sound lab) has the most positive energy on campus,” junior Myia Dargan said. “The people here are so electric. After a long day, you’ll definitely want to create with them. There’s no shortage of creativity here.”

While the organization still serves underrepresented and first-generation students, Piato welcomes anyone who is interested in learning more about multimedia production. Many members of the SENSES Project are pursuing majors unrelated to music production, but use the sound lab as an outlet to disconnect and be creative.

“It’s been amazing to work with those students and see them go all the way through college with this creative skill they can take into the workforce,” Piato said.

Piato hopes to attract more students to the sound lab by hosting events and partnering with other organizations on campus. This semester, SENSES is collaborating with Student Engagement for its Let’s Be Engaged initiative by DJ-ing in the Schine Student Center for two hours every week.

The growth of the organization has helped students develop their artistry by collaborating on projects. Dargan said students bounce ideas off of each other for feedback and help each other write lyrics. While some students are talented at mixing beats, they rely on singers in the sound lab to hop on their beats, and vice versa, she said.

“College is hard and everyone needs to recharge their batteries,” Dargan said. “Being around people like this in a space like this is the best way to fuel yourself. I always leave here with a smile.”

Published on September 24, 2024 at 11:54 pm

Contact: Jepryor@syr.edu