Uplifting Marginalized Youth: Electric Moon founder to appear on the Kelly Clarkson Show
Brent Nuffer has spent years using music and art to reach kids in marginalized neighborhoods. Now the Electric Moon Foundation founder will share that work on a national stage during the Kelly Clarkson Show’s holiday special and “Rad Human” segment.
Nuffer is a musician and artist who grew up much like the kids he now serves, kids in underserved communities with limited access to music and the arts.
“Music and art gave me refuge, a safe place where I could go, and I had a voice; all of a sudden, I felt seen and heard,” Nuffer said. “We try to work with kids that might be hurting and confused and give them a guiding light through music and art.”
Through the Electric Moon Foundation, Nuffer provides music and art programs, instruments, mentoring, trauma-related therapies, anti-bullying programs and performance opportunities. The nonprofit partners with groups that include The Midnight Mission, Alexandria House and Union Rescue Mission to support its work.
Classes are often held at a transitional housing facility run by The Midnight Mission. Kids learn to process their feelings through music, from learning how to play instruments to writing and composing songs.
“I think music and art are needed more than ever, and I think it’s just a resource that these kids can learn young,” Nuffer said. “It’s more than just the music, but what’s in between the notes and about life and how to be kind to one another and how to collaborate.”
Since launching in 2022, the nonprofit has served hundreds of kids and has collaborated with well-known bands like Pearl Jam and The Killers. In fact, Electric Moon was recently named the November recipient of the Vitalogy Foundation’s Future Days Fund, which comes with a $2,500 award and a shoutout on Pearl Jam’s social media accounts.
Despite its impact, the foundation continues to face funding challenges, Nuffer said. Electric Moon does accept donations on its website to help offset the cost of programs, including the purchase of instruments, art supplies and support for live performances.
A donation of $25 can cover learning materials. One $100 donation pays for a music lesson. A contribution of $250 supports a classroom session, and $380 provides a monthlong scholarship for online classes. The Electric Moon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
Nuffer hopes to expand the foundation’s reach and eventually bring programs to Detroit, where he lived and worked earlier in his career. “That’s a major goal … it’s my life’s work … we just want to continue to grow and get bigger and bring music and the arts to as many vulnerable youth as we can,” he said.
Nuffer said he is excited for the chance to highlight Electric Moon’s mission on national television. “We’ve got a lot of heart and passion behind it,” he said. “We’re just looking forward to meeting Kelly and chatting with her.”
He and a youth participant will attend the taping on Monday, Dec. 8, and the episode is scheduled to air on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Along with the Kelly Clarkson Show appearance, Electric Moon is preparing a holiday program that features skits and songs written by the kids, titled “Mr. Bumbo & The Small Seeds.”
The story follows an alien robot who comes to Earth without emotions. The kids teach Mr. Bumbo how to be happy, feel loved and manage anxiety. He returns to his home planet, which has been damaged by war and pollution, and shares what he learned on Earth.
The performance is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 11, at the HomeLight Shelter, a living program offered by The Midnight Mission.
The Electric Moon Foundation will also host its third annual holiday benefit featuring songwriters Lauren Vahdani, Chase Miller, Stephanie Wittmer and Nuffer, whose artist name is Arthur Autumn.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, at 8 p.m. at Universal Bar in North Hollywood. It will include giveaways, raffles, silent auction items and Nuffer will perform songs he wrote with kids from Electric Moon’s arts and music programs.