Catherine Charlton, Executive Director of Musicopia and dancing Classrooms Philly discussed their vision, to let the power of the Arts transform the lives of all children and youth.  She described the benefits, children learn self-discipline as well as self-expression through their classes, they learn teamwork and mutual respect, and global awareness.   Begun on 1974 by a woman’s string quartette,     Musicopia’s programming is now offered through nine schools districts, reaching over 100 schools with over 150 professionals teaching students from kindergarten through high school.  Programming includes all instruments and genres, often reflecting the community.   Students can progress through training to performing with their all-school String Orchestra or Drumlines.  Programming also includes ‘We the People’ where student write and rap and perform as they learn about government and their new ‘Lull-a-bye’ project in conjunction with Carnegie Hall allowing parents to create and share a recorded lull-a-bye that can reflect their family’s language or cultural heritage.  We also discussed their instrument program, Musicopia accepts donates of instruments which they refurbish and distribute to students.    

For more information, visit MUSICOPIA.net