"Music is an all-encompassing subject that can shape students into wonderful, capable people. Music can elicit the entire range of human emotion and develops important qualities like resiliency, humility, and passion.

The collective body of students from generation to generation governs the future. It is important to remember that music and all that it holds is not simply a destination, but a journey. As a music educator I have the incredible opportunity to guide students, all unique and brilliant in their own ways, on this special journey. For some students, music may only be a snapshot in their overall education picture, but for others it may be the entire work of art. Though this gap will be present, music will teach students to work hard, stay humble, and respect the people around them – qualities that are universal and when put forth in society make the world a better place.

I believe there should be widespread truths in any philosophy on education, so much that until some deeper reading is done, there would be no way to tell which subject was being referred to. This promotes unity, and a collective goal for all education. For my students, I wish to convey the underlying message in all that I do:

Make the most of your talents and who you are each day. Let yourself be seen and heard, and put your whole heart into that which you feel passionate about. Practice gratitude and joy in the best situations, and humility and perseverance in the difficult ones. Lastly, believe you are enough to accomplish anything in any situation." - Nolan Powell