PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY FOR MUSIC EDUCATION

As a music educator, my mission is to enrich the life of my students through music and help them discover their musical voice. Music is a universally recognized form of expression, communication, and entertainment regardless of an individual's cultural background, race, or socioeconomic status. For this reason, all students should have access to high-quality music education and learn how to express themselves creatively through music in their own way. I believe that by providing musical enrichment students will be able to develop a sense of value in their art, recognize the importance of music within society, and use music to build communities. 

Like all subjects within art, music is a deeply personal experience for students regardless of how they express that creativity. Therefore, as a teacher, I strive to create an environment where all students feel seen, heard, and valued so they can freely explore and express themselves in their learning. By providing a variety of “mirrors” and “windows” into the classroom, students should be able to see and experience parts of their identity in the room and feel comfortable exploring the identities of others around them authentically. These experiences can expose students to diverse creative moments to expand their musical understanding where students can learn from their mistakes and celebrate each other's unique musical voices. In this environment, students can learn, recognize, and reflect on the value of their music and how their musical journey has influenced their expression.

Music is a centerpiece in culture and society. We have all heard or listened to music at some point and felt some emotion from its lyrics and sounds. This connection with music and the ability to appreciate its many elements is one of the most crucial objectives a music educator can have. Regardless of how far students choose to take their musical journey, they should recognize the impact it can have on their life. Through music, an artist can convey many experiences and tell stories that speak directly to the listener. Whether intentional or not, music has been used throughout history as a form of activism reflecting on various social issues that are present. Its versatility, adaptability, and ubiquitousness allow artists to share their voices with others and promote change. This makes music appreciation not only important for musicians but also a major part of reaching the lives of all people.

The ability to bring people together and build community is another powerful quality of music. Through live performances or streaming, music has the capability to connect people of all identities and ethnicities through a shared experience. Further, for those performing, i.e. my students, the act itself gives them the opportunity and freedom to voice and express themselves with an audience–ultimately, creating a deeper connection to their community. In my view, the objective of the performance is not only to demonstrate musical excellence and achievement but also to find excitement throughout the learning process–a process that takes time and diligence to sustain. Each student must come to rehearsal ready to learn as a community, where no one person is more important than the other. A community that supports each other by being prepared and open to communication so they can all improve together. By providing space for this kind of community to grow, students can find appreciation in the learning process, leading to an unforgettable performance. 

Music education is an art form and craft that goes deeper than just teaching students music. Music educators must understand each student and be equipped with ways to enrich their musical journey and achieve success. This can lead to students uncovering joy in improving their personal musicianship or the joy of finding people to connect with. Whether or not the student pursues music as a career is not the goal, but music should be a part of each student's learning so that they have a well-rounded education. Through dedication, performance, practice, failure, success, hardship, and joy, all students should value music and make it personal to themselves. My role as a music educator is to facilitate that growth in each student and help them develop their musical voice, so they can use that voice to advocate for themselves and change the world around them.