Talk into Action: the Music Mark x Why Music sessions

Francis Winston - Rappin' The Classroom (29 March, 6.00 - 7.30pm)
In this session, Francis Winston provides strategies, repertoire tips and practical advice to help teachers to effectively use and understand rap music in the classroom setting.

Francis Winston is an experienced author, composer, and educator with over 20 years experience in music education. His book Rap-in-the-Classroom is a teaching guide for secondary school music teachers, enabling them to decipher, learn and teach one of the most powerful yet misunderstood musical art forms of the modern age. The book is aimed specifically at secondary schools, college teachers and peripatetic vocal teachers.

Faz Shah - Music and Islam (12 April, 4.00 - 5.30pm)

A unique session where we will unpack what the Islamic tradition says about music by delving into history, the faith of 1.7 billion people worldwide, cultures of music, modern technology, music and how we can ultimately engage Muslim participants in our sessions. All music educators, facilitators and teachers are welcome. 

Farhaan Aamir Shah (Faz Shah) is an actor, composer and musician based in Manchester. His passion is working with refugees and asylum seekers in collaboration with Music Action International and developing youth projects for social change.

Credits include: Beauty & the Beast 2022 (MD) Coppelia 2021 (MD) Saturday Mashup 2021 (CBBC) The Prince and the Pauper (New Vic Theatre) Astley’s Astounding Adventures (New Vic Theatre) Eid With the Neighbours (collaboration with Brimero Entertainment); The Awakening (original piece for UK Tour); Common Lore (Stute Theatre); Yolanda’s Band Jam (CBeebies), British Muslim TV, BBC Radio, Liverpool International Music Festival (Garage Classical Orchestra in collaboration with the Royal Northern College of Music) and The Hallé Orchestra. He has also been the violinist in the award winning Northern String Quartet since 2013.

Ethan Hein - Electronic Music & Hip Hop (14 April, 4.00 - 5.30pm)
In this session, Ethan Hein will talk about how computers make it possible to teach general music as an art class, but in order for that to become a reality, music teachers have to get familiar with the aesthetics and values of electronic dance music and hip-hop. How can White educators approach this?

Ethan Hein is a Doctoral Fellow in music education at New York University, and an adjunct professor of music technology at NYU and Montclair State University. He is a founding member of the NYU Music Experience Design Lab and the co-author of Electronic Music School: Empowering Student Creativity with Ableton Live, published in 2021.
http://www.ethanhein.com/

Malika Green -  Trinbagonian culture and the Steel Pan (26 April, 4.00 - 5.30pm)
In this session Malika Green will explore the history of the steel pan, and its place in modern-day Trinbagonian culture. For teachers interested in beginning to teach pan or for those who want to further their knowledge and understanding, we will explore repertoire choices and how to effectively teach pan in classrooms.

Malika Green is a Fulbright scholar, educator, director and performer who has worked with various communities across North America including the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras. She is an expert in Steel Pan pedagogy and brings a wealth of experience in helping educators to understand the obstacles with the Western European and musical practises in the Global South.

Syreeta Neal - The roots of Blues music (3 May, 4.00 - 5.30pm)
In this session, we will explore the roots of Blues music, its progression into other forms of  American popular music and the lasting influence it has on American music and culture today. We will also discuss ways to authentically and thoughtfully incorporate meaningful, inspiring Blues lessons into your own music education curriculum.

Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Syreeta Neal is an upper elementary music educator, 3rd generation Blues musician and activist based in Los Angeles. Syreeta was born into a family of artists and began her 21 year musical career as an international touring artist before moving to LA and transiting into music education in 2011, with an emphasis on racial equity in the music classroom.  In addition to her lived experience and deep roots in Black American traditional music, Syreeta also holds a specialist certification in vocal jazz, R&B and pop/rock from Berklee College of Music. Outside of the elementary music room, Syreeta works as a presenter and educational content creator for the non-profit organization Decolonizing The Music Room and is a board member of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Orff Schulwerk Association.