NORTHAMPTON — The Academy of Music Theatre is set to host its third annual Regional Youth Poetry Slam, an event that showcases the talent, passion and voices of young poets from across the Pioneer Valley. This year’s slam will feature 10 selected students, along with two alternates, who will take to the stage to share their original works in a live competition judged by a panel of distinguished artists and educators.
For many of this year’s participants, the slam is an opportunity for self-expression, growth and connection. Izaria Thomas of Springfield Honors Academy shared, “I’ve loved anything art-related since I was little and found that as a teenager poetry really stuck out to me over anything else. It gave me a more expressive outlet for my emotions and made me feel like Shakespeare in a way, without the super old-timey language. I’m excited to participate in the slam because I’ll get to hear how other people approach poetry and I’ll be able to face my social anxiety in a crowd.”
Melanie A. Rivas of Springfield Conservatory for the Arts echoed the sentiment. “I’ve been writing poetry for four years now. Poetry is an art form that can touch the viewers’ emotions, it can make them feel heard or seen. I’m excited to participate in the slam because it’s my first slam.”
According to Aliana de la Guardia, development and communications manager at the Academy of Music, the nomination process for the event is designed to be accessible to all. With no entry fee and a quick online form, educators, youth leaders and parents or guardians can nominate youth.
This year, the competition has expanded its reach, with participants coming from as far as Westfield, increasing the event’s geographic footprint from a 15-mile to a 30-mile radius.
“We hope the competition continues to grow, and that word spreads throughout the Pioneer Valley,” said de la Guardia. “This event is truly for the students, for their voices, and we want them to know that the academy is a place where they belong.”
The young poets will perform in front of expert judges who will evaluate their content, style and delivery. The panel includes Jennifer Blackburn, program and outreach coordinator at the Boutelle-Day Poetry Center at Smith College; Nicole M. Young-Martin, an award-winning writer and educator; Qua’Nae Golston-Thomas, a student activist at Holyoke High School and podcast host; and Richmond Willis, an MFA candidate at the University of Massachusetts Amherst focusing on themes of identity and belonging.
The poetry slam will be hosted by Lyrical Faith, a Bronx-born spoken word poet, activist, and educator who has performed at numerous colleges and venues across the globe. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in social justice education at UMass Amherst, where she studies the intersections of arts and activism.
“We hope that students gain confidence in their voices and feel a sense of belonging in a creative and supportive community,” de la Guardia explained. “We want the participants to see the power of their words in sparking conversations, expressing emotions, and addressing important social issues.”
The event offers the audience a unique opportunity to witness the young poets’ raw creativity and honest expressions. “These are not poems about mountains and flowers,” de la Guardia emphasized. “These are strong expressions of real-life experiences and issues facing the youth of our region — joy, trauma, prejudice, community, hope and belonging. Ultimately, we hope our audience walks away with a greater appreciation for youth expression and the understanding that all art is political — art in any form is a catalyst for reflection, connection and action.”
The idea for the event was sparked in 2022 when Amherst Regional High School teacher Kate Kuhn took her students to see world-renowned slam poet Denice Frohman at the Academy. Seeing the students’ enthusiasm, Academy Executive Director Debra J’Anthony inquired about their interest in hosting their own slam competition. When the students expressed excitement, Kuhn recommended Lyrical Faith as a co-producer, given her deep expertise in spoken-word culture. The inaugural slam took place in April 2023, and the event has been growing ever since.
