Photo courtesy of Musicopia.
As part of a new Q&A series, we will be getting to know the Bartol Foundation’s 2018 grantees. Musicopia reaches thousands of children each year through educational music enrichment programs in schools and communities throughout the Philadelphia Region. They received a $5,000 Bartol grant for their Percussion Network program.
These questions were answered by Drumlines Director Jesse Mell.
When do you know your work is making a difference?
When kids approach me with questions about their music practice or life strategies.
What is the coolest thing a participant in your program ever said to you?
Happy Father’s Day! (I have no biological or adopted children)
What is the most important thing you do to help your teaching artists do their best work?
Provide plenty of information when giving constructive criticism; when they succeed, congratulate them in that moment with plenty of smiles!
What is the best tip you can give to someone doing arts education programs like yours?
Clear your schedule 🙂 Be ready to dedicate as much time as it takes to lead effectively.
Share a book you read that changed how you think about your work.
Tattoos on the Heart, by Gregory Boyle