There have been many instances throughout my career as a music educator where I have seen students find themselves and find their voice through music. In one instance, this was literal. There is a current 4th grader in the program that was a selective mute in 1st grade. Despite hiding her voice, she participated in all movement exercises and kept the beats, but didn't sing with the rest of the class. In the middle of third grade, she finally opened up and began to sing along. This year she has not only added her voice to others, but has spoken a rhythm pattern as a solo in her classroom, is playing the violin, and joined the chorus. Her mom has credited the music program with helping her daughter find confidence within herself. - Ms. Schnick, Music Teacher

These students, and so many others, have overcome poverty, homelessness, and countless other adversities and managed to find themselves, their community, and even a pathway to college through the power of music education. These students and families always share how grateful they are to have an opportunity to learn an instrument, no matter its condition. The students finding their voices often thrive with a microphone in hand, and some with an instrument. Unfortunately some of some of our instruments are old and are not in the best of shape, however, if these second (or third or even fourth) hand instruments have already changed lives in my relatively short teaching career, I can only imagine how far we can go with a larger number of instruments that are properly cared for to allow more students to share their individual voices while learning to play together. I am so proud of all my students have accomplished, and am grateful to be able to work on providing them with the tools they need to find their pathway to success and confidence through music and the performing arts. - Ms. Schnick, Music Teacher