Delve into the nuanced world of selecting and integrating culturally responsive repertoire into your El Sistema-inspired learning space. Understand the significance of celebrating different cultures through music and the transformative impact it has on creating an inclusive learning environment. Explore the importance of doing thorogh research to understand the backstory and cultural context of musical pieces, enriching your teaching repertoire with depth and authenticity. Learn where to find diverse musical gems and seamlessly incorporate them into your ever-expanding repertoire bank. This forum equips you with tools to program repertoire that not only resonates with your students but also fosters connections to larger ideas and cultural understandings. Come prepared to share one of your favorite music pieces or lessons that highlights culturally responsive teaching!

Facilitated by Teaching Artists Training Institute

The newly formed Teaching Artist Forum aims to provide a space for Teaching Artists working with El Sistema-inspired programs to collaborate, network, and workshop teaching ideas and strategies. Through six discussion-based forums facilitated in partnership with the Teaching Artists Training Institute (TATI), participants will explore best practices in music education by looking at case studies from peer Teaching Artists, address common classroom success and challenges, and idea swap tools for implementing new teaching techniques.

Facilitated by Anna Barson

Managing Director, TATI

Anna Barson is based in Durham, NC and is a passionate educator, musician, and arts advocate. As the Managing Director of the Teaching Artists Training Institute (TATI), Anna is excited to develop a sustainable community of belonging that provides applicable and tangible tools and resources for music educators across the US. Anna looks forward to deepening her impact as a nonprofit leader through community-building, training teaching artists to develop culturally responsive classrooms, and engaging nonprofit leaders and educators in conversations around access, equity, inclusion, and social justice in the music classroom.

Prior to working with TATI, Anna taught orchestra at the elementary and middle school levels before transitioning to administrative positions at Kidznotes, an El Sistema-inspired music education nonprofit, and SKJAJA Fund, a community-based scholarship program. Anna holds a dual Bachelor of Music degree in Cello Performance and Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Arts degree in Arts Management and Cultural Leadership from Colorado State University.

Outside of work, Anna can be found performing with local orchestras, testing out new recipes in the kitchen, or camping in the mountains with her dog, Milo.