10/02/06 Schweitzer Fellow Reflects on MIE Program Experience
Mezzo-soprano Monica Soto-Gil, recipient of a Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, is a senior at NEC and is highly active in the MIE Concentration program; in fact, she designed her Schweitzer outreach project so that it could be integrated with the MIE Concentration. Monica’s Schweitzer project involved teaching preschool music classes for a year at the Hattie B. Cooper Community Center in Roxbury, MA. As music teacher, Monica introduced basic musical concepts, different genres of music, and various instruments to youth from just under three to age six. We caught up with Monica and asked her to reflect on her joint Schweitzer-MIE experience.
What aspect(s) of the MIE Concentration Program have most informed your work at the Hattie B. Cooper Community Center during your Schweitzer Fellowship?
The open relationships with MIE teachers and students have been very helpful. The MIE department is an environment where there is a lot of room for sharing and discussion. The community is very supportive, and I can always rely on teachers such as Paul Burdick to bounce ideas off of. It has given me the liberty to really establish my goals and objectives and get the most out of my project.
How has your work as a Schweitzer Fellow informed who you are as an artist, and as an MIE student?
The Artist-Teacher-Scholar model has been a great source of inspiration. The idea that the three concepts are inextricably linked has helped me in all three areas, especially while working in a school in the community. I am able to use the knowledge I have gained in the field in class and can bring more to discussions. . As an artist, I feel more focused. I have a better understanding of why I pursued this field–of how I can help the community through my art and how the community can help me become a better artist as well. It has been a humbling experience.
To what extent do you see your involvement in the MIE program as central to your work as an artist?
If nothing else, being in the MIE department shows that one more person is interested not only in practicing and winning a job, but in education,, in fortifying the relationships between places like conservatories and their communities. Sharing music with a wide variety of people makes me a better artist; when I hear music through varied ears, I can understand it better, gain different perspectives on it. Showing that this is an essential part of being a performing musician is important to me as an artist, central to my work. Music, especially classical music, is not reaching a very large part of our community. Very often I hear complaints that it is dying.. Education is one of the most effective ways of bringing music to our communities, showing kids how music is accessible and fun. Without us sharing our enthusiasm, they have no reason to see the versatility of music and its place in their lives. They can’t miss what they don’t know is there. I think the MIE department is supportive of that.
What are your future plans in music and education?
After graduation in May, I plan to continue teaching voice and choir at Zumix, an arts organization in East Boston, and will get a teaching certification before going to graduate school for a Masters in Performance. I hope to one day be a part of an opera outreach program.
Interview by MIE Advisor Randy Wong
December 11th, 2006 at 8:16 pm
I think it’s always interesting to read about what people have done with there time outside of NEC. It’s also definitely good to hear that not only performers, but educators are coming out of the conservatory. I’m so impressed by the students at our school that have the patience to teach younger children. I know when the word “teaching” crosses my mind I think of advanced high school or college students. I’ve had clarinet students before and I just remember getting so frustrated because even after 3 or 4 weeks on a simple tune they still wouldn’t get it. I guess what I would like to know from Monica are what teaching methods and strategies she used with these preschool children and how successful she was? I would also like to know how you overcome this frustration?