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Beyond the Bars Interview w/ Saan

How Beyond the Bars Helped Alassane “Creer” Silla Find His Voice Through Music and Education

December 1, 2025

At this year’s Philly Youth Music Festival, we spoke with Alassane “Creare” Silla, whose journey shows the real impact youth programs can have on education and personal growth.

Alassane shared that he used to be extremely shy—keeping his head down and avoiding conversation. Everything shifted when he joined Beyond The Bars, a nonprofit that empowers young people through music.

The program helped him:

  • Build confidence and come out of his shell

  • Feel comfortable speaking and performing in front of others

  • See himself as a creative leader with something to offer

Through Beyond The Bars, he not only developed as an artist but also gained the confidence and skills that support him in school and life. Today, he’s studying marketing at East Stroudsburg University and continuing to make music as “Creare,” an artist name that reflects his creative identity.

His message to students is simple:
Be yourself. Do you. No one else gets to define who you are.


Watch the Full Interview

See Alassane “Creare” Silla’s full conversation from the Philly Youth Music Festival:
👉 https://bit.ly/49Ba1yb


Learn more about Beyond The Bars and how they support Philly youth through music:
👉 https://beyondthebarsmusic.org/


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