What Does Seattle JazzED Mean to Families?
/Many families find a safe place to build relationships and enjoy music at Seattle JazzED. But why do families keep coming back to our programs? I had the chance to chat with Amy, a parent of two siblings who attend Seattle JazzED to learn their story.
Could you share a little about yourself and your children? How and why did your children join Seattle JazzED?
We learned about Seattle JazzED five years ago, during the pandemic, when our family began homeschooling. When we all went into lock-down mode, I knew my kids needed something to give them happiness without a fear of failing, and a musical community that supports mental health and development. They also needed an outlet for learning something fun and new, something unrelated to virtual school.
JazzED was a quick Google search away and I'm so glad I found it!
My kids found the virtual classroom at JazzED space to be comfortable, with small groups of kids and caring teachers. A child may not know the meaning of 'pandemic' but they understand music. My kids needed something familiar to be creative with and JazzED opened a door for my kids that I couldn't have given them on my own.
What prompted you to register for our programs?
JazzED offered something the school community didn't – fun, improvisational skills, which put the "playfulness" back into playing an instrument. The dedicated teachers could focus on individual instruments and instruction while maintaining an engaging and fun learning process.
JazzED programs are positive experiences that keep kids coming back! My kids have formed long-lasting friendships with familiar, returning faces over the years.
How has JazzED allowed your children to grow musically or on a personal level?
They've become inspired to try out new instruments and take risks they hadn't considered before, such as seeking out opportunities like busking around the city or participating in the drumline.
Do your kids sometimes get frustrated when practicing their instruments? What kind of joy do they get out of music that makes them continue?
My kids have grown resilient and persistent. One of my twins learns quickly and enjoys trying to reach perfection, while the other needs more time to work through his learning process. JazzED has been a great place for them to learn about themselves because there is no end to musical learning. There is always more to learn.
It was good for one of my kids to learn that music will always challenge and offer more to those who play. It was also great to see my other child realize that his learning speed didn't hold him back from participating in group settings. He never felt behind or not as good as the others.
As a parent, why is music education important to you and your family?
I have dyslexia and struggled in school as a kid. But when I joined band and made first chair in my music section, I realized music was different from school. Band taught me to stand taller and feel prouder than I had before. Music made me a happier person.
Music is a vital component of a balanced and healthy lifestyle. It supports us through our moods and emotions. It feeds our curiosity. It allows us to connect to our community. Without the passionate educators and leaders at JazzED, Seattle would lack a vital tool for continuing to build its historical musical foundation.
Please tell me more about how music feeds into a balanced lifestyle. As compared to before joining JazzED, have your children picked up healthy habits?
Absolutely! They are more strategic in their learning across all disciplines. They have become more thoughtful about setting goals and reaching them. They make notes in their music, write their own tunes, and record their playing and practice sessions. They even use their metronomes without being told to! The skills they have learned in JazzED and through practicing music can be applied to other aspects of their lives, which is so rewarding to see.
Over the last five years, JazzED’s programs have provided invaluable opportunities to Amy’s children. She especially appreciates the sliding scale tuition and instrument rentals.
She leaves off by saying, “Seattle JazzED leaves no barriers and continue to open doors for so many families!”
Interview by Seattle JazzED Summer Intern, Denise Chang
