The Tool I Wish I Had as a Teacher
Music was my world growing up. Band, choir, and theater weren’t just activities—they were where I learned teamwork, discipline, creativity, and the thrill of contributing to something larger than myself. Those experiences shaped me, and I knew I wanted to pay it forward by becoming a music educator.
11th grade - in my full band nerd glory
I started my career as a music educator in the Washington, D.C. area. One day, I took my 6th grade general music class to my school’s Mac lab (as if that haircut wasn’t enough of an age giveaway, mentioning a Mac lab certainly seals the deal) and let them experiment with GarageBand. They were immediately hooked on mixing tracks and creating their own music. We turned their compositions into short music videos for a project. I’ll be honest—their creations were complete cacophony. GarageBand was too complex for most 6th graders. But while my ears bled, my heart was full knowing they were experiencing the joy of making music.
Fast forward to today. After working as a kindergarten teacher and school administrator in California, I now serve as Edify’s Director of Education. And I can confidently say—MusiQuest is the platform I wish my students had back in that middle school Mac lab, and in all my schools between. Students of all ages and skill levels use our Song Builder to compose and mix tracks. But more importantly, they learn real music theory and composition techniques through interactive lessons—so their music sounds objectively better than what my 6th graders created years ago!
MusiQuest is a fantastic tool for music teachers looking to enhance their curriculum, but it’s also a game-changer for schools without a full-time music teacher. Our mission is simple: every child, everywhere, deserves access to a quality music education. By making music learning more accessible and engaging, we’re inspiring the next generation of musicians, creators, and lifelong music lovers.
If you’re passionate about expanding high-quality music education to more students, let’s connect. I’d love to talk about how you can be part of this movement!
