Attention: Student Journalists!!!
Meet and learn from the Creator of CoolCleveland.com

Student Journalists, or potential ones, can meet with Thomas Mulready as the Student Journalism Project (SJP) begins its fourth year this week with the creator of Cool Cleveland as guest speaker. Thomas Mulready, Cool Cleveland founder and publisher, kicks off the SJP's series of interactive discussions for students 12 - 19 years of age who are considering careers in journalism; each session features a professional in the field and a moderator.

The series takes place at Cleveland State University on nine Saturday mornings, from 10:30AM - 12:30PM, in January, February and March. It’s sponsored by the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, and each session includes a brief visit to CYO’s rehearsal to see what goes on behind the scenes there, followed by a brief discussion of various ways journalists might write about it.

In a typical session, the professional journalist tells the story of how he or she got into his or her field of journalism and describes the job and its requirements, followed by questions from the students. I'll be moderating each session. [Editor's note: David Budin is a freelance journalist, author and Cool Cleveland contributor, as well as the former editor of Northern Ohio Live and Cleveland Magazine].

Students will learn to review, preview and interview, and their writing will be edited by a professional writer and editor; and students' works will be published in special SJP publication and on CYO's website.

This year’s speakers are Thomas Mulready (Cool Cleveland founder and publisher), Jan. 10; Donald Rosenberg (Cleveland Plain Dealer classical music, dance and wine writer), Jan. 24; Janet Macoska (national rock music photojournalist), Jan. 31; Michael Bennett (Cleveland Jewish News publisher and editor; former Plain Dealer Features editor), Feb. 14; writing workshop, led by David Budin, national freelance journalist and former magazine editor), Feb. 21; Daniel Goldmark (CWRU music professor, author of books on cartoon music and pop culture subjects, and former Rhino Records writer and researcher), Feb. 28; (evening session) student journalists’ press conference with student orchestra musicians, plus the CYO concert, Mar. 14; Clint O'Connor (Plain Dealer movie critic), Mar. 21; Afi Odelia Scruggs (freelance writer, educator and musician; former Plain Dealer reporter and columnist), Mar. 28.

An $80 tuition fee includes all nine sessions (plus a possible extra session in May, in conjunction with CYO's guest rock artist), tickets to CYO's March concert, a CYO rock concert t-shirt, writing coach, and materials. Sessions will be videotaped (for viewing on a DVD, in case of absence). Scholarships are available to those in need. There is a $10 drop-in fee for students who want to check out one session, or just attend certain ones. The drop-in fee applies to adults, too, who may want to attend any of the sessions (parents attending with enrolled students are free).

Drop in this week and hear Thomas Mulready's cool story of how he started Cool Cleveland (but RSVP first, if possible, see below). Then if you want to sign up for the whole series, your $10 will be applied to the tuition. For more information and to register, e-mail: journalism@cyorchestra.org, or visit: http://www.cyorchestra.org and click “get involved,” then “journalism project.”

From Cool Cleveland contributor David Budin popcyclesATsbcglobal.net
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