Music

“Music, Identity, and Culture”

Teacher: Jessica Fletcher

This year’s music classes focused on identifying music preference and diving deeper as a way to connect and create with peers in an ever increasing digital world. Using healthy outlets and familiar resources, this class focused on both live and digital music creation, using each participant’s music preferences as inspiration to create something new. Youth were asked to reflect on why they enjoy their favorite music, what aspects of music they enjoy or do not enjoy, and how they connect to their individual cultures or preferred genres.

They then engaged with DAW & MIDI technologies, as well as live instruments to explore their identities to create something new as a group. Using instruments and technologies as a starting point for collaboration increases accessibility, engagement, motivation, and interest. Engaging in musical creation encourages youth to build healthy social emotional skills, explore individual identity, and build empathy and respect with peers.

Student Work