A primary goal of OpporTUNEity is to bring music learning opportunities to children in underserved communities, where resources are limited and poverty is high, while engaging undergraduate students in life-changing and career defining teaching experiences.
Partnering institutions (Past & Present)
clark university (LARC Program)
Anna Maria College
Martin Methodist college (UT Southern)
established
march, 2024
june, 2017
may, 2013
Team
Melissa Martiros
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Within the scope of a K-16 framework, this is done by aligning the program with the mission and vision of colleges and universities, utilizing the resources of these institutions while engaging college undergraduate music majors through teaching opportunities in the community. To these ends, we measure our impact through targeted music engagement, civic learning, and career readiness outcomes.
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In order to best guarantee positive and impactful experience for undergraduate students, we follow pedagogical best practices for service learning and civic engagement in higher education by implementing research based practices that include a comprehensive assessment and accountability system. Each semester, all college students are required to attend an orientation session that focuses on the needs of the children enrolled in the program, legalities and ethics, pedagogical content, and other topics that are particularly relevant at the time. Interns involved with songwriting classes are required to attend a similarly structured training, mandatory and offered by the houses of correction.
College students include freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior students who gain hands on experience applying content learned from their coursework as they develop their own curriculum to be applied in their work with the community. Perhaps most important, as students grow as professionals through these experiences, they simultaneously develop insight into their own privilege as they receive countless lessons in what racism and social justice looks like. These experiences help to ensure our next generation of music professionals are more aware and better equipped to support the diverse populations they serve.
Higher Education Objectives:
1.
MUSIC ENGAGEMENT. Strengthen engagement and capacities of future music educators, music performers, and music therapists by using innovative, arts-based teaching and learning strategies with elementary, middle and high school students and incarcerated adults in our partnering facilities.
2.
CIVIC LEARNING. Utilize music as an educational tool for improving and building civic understanding and social justice in the classroom and private lesson settings, and throughout the undergraduate experience.
3.
CAREER READINESS. Develop career readiness skills, through community engagement and service, as participants become successful and innovative music professionals.