Steven Beck and OnlineRock spread music to Sierra Leone

As founder and head of OnlineRock, a music community providing musicians with the tools and services needed to promote their music, Steven Beck has been called upon by the U.S. State Department to spearhead efforts in developing countries to foster and expand their music industries. After a trip to Sierra Leone in Africa this June, Beck struck up close ties with the Ballanta Academy of Music in Freetown. He recently donated an Alesis Fusion 6HD Keyboard Workstation to the academy so its students can learn, play and compose music using digital technology.
"We're thrilled that Steve has provided us with this keyboard workstation, a product unavailable in our country; it's the perfect tool for our students to learn how to create, program and record music as they develop their own dance bands," said Dr. Kitty Fadlu-Deen, principal of Ballanta Academy of Music. "Generous contributions such as this help us nurture the considerable talent of Sierra Leone's young musicians."
"I appreciated the opportunity to meet with and speak to the musicians and labels trying to ignite a thriving music industry in Sierra Leone," said Beck. "Much of the country's ultimate success rests on organizations like Ballanta that provide a solid musical framework for those who'll be involved in the industry's future."
To learn more about Beck's experiences in Freetown and view pictures of his trip, please visit http://www.onlinerock.com/guest/sierra_leone.shtml

Any business or individual interested in making a contribution or learning more about the Ballanta Academy of Music can send postal correspondence to 27 Liverpool Street, Freetown, Sierra Leone, or send an email to ballanta1996@yahoo.co.uk

About OnlineRock OnlineRock (http://www.onlinerock.com ) is a music community providing musicians with the tools and information needed to create, promote and sell their music. Over 25,000 bands have signed up to OnlineRock's services. OnlineRock Records, an independent label arm of the company, aims to work with the new tier of emerging artists who use technology to their advantage. Founded in 1999, the company is based in Belmont, Calif.