Durham, (January 17, 2024) —El Sistema USA has joined other leading music education organizations to launch TeachMusic.org, a groundbreaking online resource for music enthusiasts and educators. This innovative platform is poised to transform the landscape of music education by providing an accessible hub for students, parents, counselors, teachers, and anyone passionate about the world of music education.
In developing the new website, El Sistema USA worked in concert with the TeachMusic Coalition, formed in 2022 to address the widely publicized teacher shortage in the United States. The Coalition helps find resources and solutions to the immediate, short-term, and longer-term challenges facing the music educator workforce, working to recruit, shepherd, and retain the next generation of music educators.
As a result, TeachMusic.org was created to help anyone in the career decision-making process have access to information and resources to support a student’s successful journey to becoming a music educator. The website addresses and reaffirms the many questions that may be on the minds of those exploring a career in music education, such as, “Do I love music? Do I enjoy helping others and making a difference in my school and community? Do I see myself as a leader? Do I like learning about different styles of music and different cultures? Do I want to connect with other musicians and build a network? Do I want a career where I can inspire others and improve the world?”
The new website features a “choose your own adventure” interface and offers a range of valuable tools and resources to help students and their support networks determine a pathway toward teaching music.
- For Students: Information includes the Three Steps to a Life-Changing Career, including preparation, application/audition process, and what to expect as a music education major.
- For Parents: Information includes college preparation, cost of college, federal student aid, local aid, and additional resources, including loan forgiveness and tax credits.
- For Guidance Counselors: Information on why music education is a valuable and sustainable career pathway for students and information on other careers in the music profession.
“El Sistema USA is proud to partner with The TeachMusic Coalition to make music accessible, engaging and enjoyable to everyone and create a space where creativity and collaboration thrive,” said Elizabeth Moulthrop, Executive Director, El Sistema USA. “Part of our work is to build out the future of our field and ensure that there are qualified and passionate music teachers in our classrooms and programs. This work integrates with our youth leadership work as we prepare the next generation of teachers, musicians, and leaders. We are pleased that this platform can be a tool for our members and students.”
TeachMusic.org is live and invites everyone to explore its offerings by visiting https://www.teachmusic.org.