Dreamer ENT

Nick Jonas is teaming up with Do Something, the volunteer empowerment organization aimed at teens, to help save school music programs across the country. We think this is a great cause because music, and all of the arts, are so important in schools to keep inspiring young people like you to express yourselves and spread creativity.

Join in the action by entering The Battle of the Bands competition, and find out how you can support the campaign at your own school with this list of ideas. Also check out the teens who won the “Save Our Music” grant from Do Something and VH1 to support music education programs at their own schools.

Speaking of Nick Jonas and bands, be sure to check out the great new debut album, Who I Am, from his group Nick Jonas & The Administration.

From DoSomething.org
School music programs are being cut across the country and Nick Jonas is joining teens nationwide to do something about it! Nick, along with DoSomething.org and The VH1 Save the Music Foundation, is kicking off the Battle of the Bands campaign to save music education. Tune into VH1 on Thursday February 4th at 9pm ET to see the winners from this fall’s Save Our Music campaign and the debut of Nick’s PSA for Battle of the Bands. The spots are part of the Pepsi Fan Jam concert in Miami, Florida featuring Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Timbaland, and more!

The Battle of the Bands campaign will run from March 1st through April 16th. You’ll be able to submit your videos of your own musical performances with a testimonial telling us why music ed matters to you! Then, a panel of judges will evaluate the entries and the Grand Prize winner will be flown to NYC to perform at the Apollo Theater in front of major music execs! Other winners will be chosen to receive up to $5,000 for your school music program, and other prizes like concert tickets and Rock Band video games!

So what are you waiting for; join Nick and sign up for the mailing list on Save Our Music to stay informed on the upcoming campaign.

Got questions about the upcoming campaign? Email battleofthebands@dosomething.org

More about the VH1 Save the Music Foundation:

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in American public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child’s complete education. Since 1997, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation has provided $45 million worth of new musical instruments to more than 1,700 public schools in more than 100 cities around the country, impacting the lives of more than 1.4 million public school students.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lived and dedicated his life to a dream – a vision of unity, seeing people of every color and every creed living, walking and serving together. Let’s remember his legacy today, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. You can carry on his dream today by spreading kindness, compassion and striving to live a life of helping others. Listen to Dr. King in the videos below, talking about his dream and passion for service:

Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Photo Credit: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

The world witnessed as on Tuesday evening a 7.0 earthquake devastated the capital city of the Caribbean country Haiti. The aftermath and aftershocks of the earthquake left children without food and comfort, many in need of aid, and families without homes in a country that was already crippled by poverty. In such a huge situation, there are ways you can help and make a difference.

How You Can Help?

If you’re able to donate financially or can ask your parents to do so, you can text “HAITI” to the number 90999 on a cell phone. A $10 donation will be charged to the cell phone bill that will go to the Red Cross. It’s quick and easy, and every bit helps. You can also visit www.redcross.org or http://www.unicefusa.org/ to find out how to donate online.

In the coming days and weeks Haiti will be needing much help, and you could start a fundraiser or collection drive to collect things like clothes and other items that may be needed. DoSomething.org suggests that “the most important step when donating materials is to contact an established, professional relief organization BEFORE you collect anything.” Be sure to listen to the news and visit the websites above to see what the people may need the most. Over all, keep the people of Haiti in your thoughts and prayers, and remember that helping others, even if they are miles away, is important, and something you can do even when you’re young.

Dreamer ENT’s Editor Julene will be featured on an upcoming show about young entrepreneurs hosted by Sunkissed Girlz, an awesome online publication for girls. Tune in on Sunday, January 17th at 6 p.m. EST to also hear interviews with Lisa Price, the owner of the hair and beauty line Carol’s Daughter, as well as a 10-year old who has a lip gloss business. They’ll interviewed by a young entrepreneur Alana Jones, 13-year-old co-founder of Sunkissed Girlz. To hear the interview go to www.sunkissedgirlz.com and click on the Sunkissed Girlz radio icon to listen live. While you’re on the site check out the recent articles about entrepreneurship: “You CAN make money selling healthy snacks!” and “Turn Your Hair Talent Into Cash!” We hope you’re inspired to get thinking about what business you might start this year!

Alyson Stoner, the talented actress, dancer and singer who you’ve seen in music videos, Disney movies like Camp Rock and shows like The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, shared some inspiration for young people on her blog a few weeks ago:

“…Dare to dream. We have an imagination for a reason. Write down your wildest dreams and then create an action plan to make it happen. Stay focused on improving your character and skills (instead of nit-packing others’ flaws) so you’ll be prepared to fly when the opportunity arises. You were created to do amazing things, and I’m not going to let you fail. You are strong. You are valued. You are loved, and you are gifted. Do not waste your life…”

That’s some great and powerful advice to take into the New Year! You can read the full blog post on her official website by clicking here. You’ll be able to see Alyson doing what she does best when Camp Rock 2 premieres on the Disney Channel in the summer of 2010.