SoundScape Academy NW
Portland, OR
TURN PAIN INTO PURPOSE.
SoundScape Academy NW is a community hub where creativity fuels transformation. Through access to professional studios, mentorship, life skills training, and culturally grounded healing spaces, we empower people from all walks of life to reclaim their story and reimagine their future.
Our Facility
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Professional Recording Studio: Fully equipped soundproof booths, mixing stations, and industry-standard software for music production and engineering
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Rehearsal Rooms: Multiple acoustically treated rooms for band practice, vocal sessions, and small group performances
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Digital Media Lab: Workstations for beat-making, video editing, podcasting, and multimedia storytelling
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Creative Lounge: A safe, comfortable space for reflection, collaboration, and community connection
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Mentorship & Coaching Spaces: Private rooms for one-on-one guidance, therapy-informed mentorship, and life coaching
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Workshop & Classroom Areas: Flexible spaces for hosting music theory classes, entrepreneurship training, and group sessions
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Resource Library & Equipment Rentals: Access to instruments, gear, books, and software for hands-on learning and exploration
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Event & Performance Hall: A small venue for open mics, showcases, community forums, and celebratory events
A hub of creativity.
What we provide:
Cognitive Behavioral Peer Support Groups
Weekly process groups focused on thinking errors, relapse prevention, and emotional regulation, using music and storytelling as tools for growth.
Creative Studio Access
State-of-the-art recording and rehearsal studios offered as incentives to participants meeting treatment and recovery goals.
Parenting Classes
Facilitated by certified instructors, these courses help participants rebuild and strengthen relationships with their children and co-parents.
Job Readiness & Life Skills
Participants gain real-world skills, resume support, and exposure to the music industry, including opportunities in audio engineering, entrepreneurship, and event planning.
Culturally Rooted Mentorship
Programs built by and for communities of color, centered on identity, healing, and community reconnection.
Who we are
Our Mission Statement
“SoundScape Academy NW is a community sanctuary where creativity meets healing. We empower individuals of all ages to transform their lives through music, mental wellness, and peer connection.”
We chose the name SoundScape Academy with purpose and intention.
The word "Academy" reflects our belief that healing, growth, and self-discovery are educational journeys, just as important as traditional academics. We aren’t a conventional school, but we are a place where people learn:
1. To reflect on their past and reconnect with their purpose
2. To build new life skills through music, art, storytelling, and community
3. To grow emotionally, spiritually, and creatively
4. To discover their voice and use it to shape their future
Our “curriculum” isn’t found in textbooks, it’s found in lived experiences, shared wisdom, and creative expression. By calling it an academy, we emphasize that every person who walks through our doors is a student of life and we’re here to support their journey with structure, care, and inspiration.
Our Partners
At SoundScape Academy NW, we believe that healing and transformation are community efforts. We're committed to building meaningful connections with others who share a vision for creative wellness, justice, and collective liberation. Whether you're a grassroots group, service provider, or local leader, we welcome opportunities to collaborate in ways that uplift our community as a whole.
Donate
Help us build Portland's creative sanctuary for healing, music, and mentorship.
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Expand studio access and arts programs into schools and underserved neighborhoods
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Create a hub for culturally relevant training in music, entrepreneurship, and leadership
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Fund free studio access programs
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Support trauma-informed peer mentorship
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Train individuals for creative careers
Carisa Cherney
Carisa Cherney serves as the Executive Secretary of SoundScape Academy, bringing her passion for organization, communication, and community impact to the forefront of the nonprofit’s mission.
Executive Secretary
Our Team
Jamal Williams
I’m the founder of SoundScape Academy NW, a nonprofit rooted in music, healing, and community. My vision is shaped by lived experience and years working in treatment settings with individuals facing addiction, trauma, and systemic barriers. With professional training and a deep commitment to cultural relevance, I’ve built this space to serve and uplift our most marginalized communities.
Founder
Heidi Williams
As Chief Operating Officer of Soundscape, Heidi Williams is a results-driven executive with a strong track record in operational leadership and strategic management.
Chief Operating Officer
SoundScape Academy seeks financial support to establish and operate a music studio that will provide affordable music education, mentorship, and performance opportunities to undeserved communities in the greater Portland area.
We’re seeking real estate and equipment donations to launch our first community facility. Studio space, instruments, and recording gear will help us empower youth through music, mentorship, and healing.
We care about your growth
Portland is a city with a rich and diverse music culture, yet many individuals, especially those from low-income backgrounds, lack access to quality music education, and resources. There is a growing need for a nonprofit music studio that can bridge this gap and offer affordable recording and rehearsal studio space that caters to a wide range of musical interests and skill levels.
Our organization recognizes the power of music to inspire and empower individuals, and we aim to make the resources accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Skills for Expression, Healing, and Career Growth
SoundScape Academy NW offers music education opportunities that nurture creative expression while opening doors to meaningful career paths. Participants gain hands-on experience in areas like songwriting, beat production, live performance, and audio engineering—all within a culturally grounded, trauma-informed environment. These programs are designed for individuals who may not thrive in traditional educational or workforce systems, offering new ways to learn, express themselves, and build confidence.
In addition to creative training, SoundScape provides direct pathways to real-world work opportunities in the music and events industry. Participants can explore careers in studio engineering, DJing, sound design, event planning, artist management, and entrepreneurship. Through mentorship, internships, and exposure to the inner workings of the industry, individuals gain insight into behind-the-scenes roles that power the entertainment world—roles many have never been introduced to.
By combining artistic development with job readiness, SoundScape empowers people to see music not just as a form of healing or expression but as a viable career path that can lead to economic independence, stability, and long-term success.
Potential Career Paths
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Audio Engineer – Recording, mixing, and mastering music in studio environments
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Music Producer – Creating beats, arranging tracks, and managing recording projects
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Sound Technician – Managing sound for live events, performances, and stage setups
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DJ / Live Performer – Performing at events, clubs, and community functions
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Studio Manager – Overseeing scheduling, maintenance, and operations of recording spaces
Whether you’re a potential student, referring agency, or community partner, we invite you to connect. Together, we can turn pain into purpose—and rhythm into recovery.
