Mesquite Independent School District’s Post

Learn about our scholarships (part 1)! 🎼 Music: Awarded to students who have demonstrated outstanding music preparation and potential to become musical leaders in one of PHC's musical organizations. Students must commit to participate in voice, music ensembles, or chapel worship. 🥇 Forensics: Awarded to students who participated in high school debate, moot court, or mock trial, and who commit to participating in PHC forensics. Scholarships awarded based on highest tournament achievements. 👍🏼 Pursuit of Excellence: Awarded to students who have demonstrated either leadership or community service. Students must commit to apply leadership skills in service to the college via the Student Ambassador Program.

all areas society needs but are not very profitable

Just finished reading Prof. Nathan Holder’s book, ‘If I were a racist’ - Exploring racism in music teaching’. What a great tool for self and systematic reflection. This book encourages critical thinking and invites the reader to step back from ideology and ‘the way things have always been done’ in music education, to contemplate how some of those things at best could be non-inclusive and at worst could be causing harm. I love how the book isn’t designed to give all the answers but to pose questions that provoke the reader to rethink & challenge the status quo and perhaps begin or continue further a journey towards social justice, anti-racism and decolonisation. In short towards a truly inclusive music education where Black children can feel safe and like they belong and therefore thrive. I’m here for that. Big 👍🏽

"Research shows that visual arts students grow in the areas of self-efficacy and originality than non-arts students. They were also able to maintain higher levels of focus in their regular school classrooms for longer periods of time than their non-participating peers." (Catterall and Peppler) "Research has found that students in low-income schools who participate in dance programs tend to experience heightened self-esteem and social skills." (Mason and Chuang) It's great to see research that supports what those of us in the arts have always known. That high engagement with the arts improves every facet of a student's educational life: academic, social, emotional, physical. Whether it was dancing in my living room, playing trumpet in middle school, or all of the talent shows, plays, and musicals in our high school "cafetorium," each of those experiences made me a better student and a better person. Are students getting a well-rounded, K-12 arts education today? #artseducation #socialemotionallearning #academics #publicschools

NEW EPISODE! In our fascination with #STEM education, are we losing something vital by squeezing out the arts. It is precisely in its rich and diverse #aliveness perhaps that music, and other arts, hold so much possibility. Check out this week's conversation with the incredible Eric Dozier! With a couple of stunning songs performed by Eric too! Eric and Tim talk about: 🎵 How does music connect us with ourselves? 🎶 How does music connect us with each other, and build community? 🎵 How does music offer other ways of knowing and transferring cultural knowledge? 🎶 How do black and indigenous cultural ways of knowing get marginalised by white supremacy culture? 🎵 What does it mean for a teacher (like a choirleader) to hold space for transformation? Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eyWrDa_H

On this episode of Arts Engines, Aaron speaks to Tammy Yi, Music Education Professor at Chapman University’s College of Performing Arts, who work is a masterclass in blending education, cultural advocacy, and community engagement, all underpinned by a strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the arts. At Chapman, Tammy isn't just educating future music teachers; she’s transforming the way they understand and interact with music. By founding the first Collegiate Mariachi Ensemble in Orange County, Tammy is empowering her Mexican-American students and introducing culturally responsive pedagogy. This initiative does more than teach music—it creates spaces of belonging and showcases the richness of diversity within educational settings. Tammy’s impact extends beyond the university. As a conductor for the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, she collaborates with leading figures in El Sistema-inspired programs, advocating for actionable social change. Her work highlights the importance of understanding cultural identity, not just in terms of race or ethnicity, but as a complex web of influences that shape our values and interactions. Tammy acknowledges the resistance she’s faced in her field, particularly against efforts to challenge and dismantle Eurocentric ideologies in music. Her approach is both introspective and educational—encouraging others to explore their own cultural identities and understand how they influence their work. She emphasizes the need for educators and artists to develop racial consciousness and be mindful of how their actions can either support or undermine DEI efforts. Tammy’s advice to those in the arts is clear: stay focused on the communities you serve, remain open to listening, and always strive to understand and address the impact of racial trauma. The work may be challenging, but it’s essential for creating an inclusive and equitable environment in the arts. “Use the arts to share our stories, to listen, and to co-create.” #Arts #Culture #Music #Education #DEI #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #PerformingArts #FirstGeneration #HigherEducation #ArtsEducation #Mariachi #ChapmanUniversity #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #YouthOrchestra #ElSistema #MusicEducation #SocialChange

If you are someone who thinks #education and/or #musiceducation specifically is important for #marginalised groups, can I please ask you to consider helping with a survey for the final study of my PhD research? The survey is seeking to find out about how different racial groups of young people experience #musiclessons in #school. The voices of #Black and other #globalmajority #students are underrepresented in music education #research, so I would particularly like to hear from them but this survey is for all #racial groups including White. You can find out more detailed information about the project and how to consent on the first page of the survey (link and QR code to access survey below). I need children aged 11-18 years old who have experienced whole class music lessons in school to complete the survey after a parent or carer has consented. Please consider if your own children can help or pass on to friends, colleagues, relatives etc. I believe this is important research and would appreciate your help. Thank you 🙏🏾 Link to survey https://lnkd.in/edGbvs48

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Question: How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives? My Answer: The best way to make an impact is to follow your passions and engage with organizations that align with those passions. There’s a common misconception that you need to be an artist or have an arts background to contribute to arts organizations. In reality, we need board members and volunteers with diverse skills and backgrounds—those who excel in finances, marketing, event organization, insurance, sales, and advocacy. Read more to learn about my journey with music and the Alpharetta Symphony, and its impact on the Alpharetta community…

Today's blog is all about the right mix of academics and talent. How much do high school grades and test scores matter if you're going to be a music major in college? They ALWAYS matter. How much do they matter? That's a more complicated question. (Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter to be the first to have this info in your hands!) #collegeadmissionshelp #MusicAdmissions #collegeadmissions #admissionsconsulting #musicmajor #collegeapplications