El Sistema Santa Cruz/Pajaro Valley, a music education program at Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s Expanded Learning Opportunities program, has been selected from a competitive pool of 550 submissions to present a workshop at the 2024 International Society of Music Education (ISME) Conference in Helsinki, Finland.
The workshop, titled “Melodies of Hope: The Lessons and Music of a Cross Cultural International Collaboration,” will bring together eight students from Radcliff Elementary School, educators from El Sistema
Santa Cruz/Pajaro Valley, the prestigious Sibelius Academy and a Finnish elementary school.
This collaborative initiative aims to examine the diversity of music education practices across different cultural and geographical contexts. Participants will explore the similarities and differences in teaching methods, language, and cultural influences, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for global music education.
“We are thrilled and honored to have been selected to represent our community at the 2024 ISME Conference,” says Camilo Ortiz, who directs El Sistema’s pre-orchestra program. “This workshop underscores our commitment to cross-cultural collaboration and the transformative power of music education.”
Throughout the workshop, participants will engage in interactive sessions, discussions, and collaborative performances, gaining valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance their own music education programs, says PVUSD spokeswoman Alicia Jimenez.
Isabelle Tuncer, executive director and founder of El Sistema, said she has found “enormous talent” in the Radcliff students.
“They take the class so seriously and have made amazing progress,” she said. “That they are going to Finland is so important; this will be a lifetime memory for them.”
She added that the eight students have connected already with their host families in Finland through FaceTime to help get familiar with one another.
“They are so excited,” she said. “And Camilo has done such a great job connecting with all of them.”
The 2024 ISME Conference, scheduled to take place from July 28 to Aug. 2, will serve as a premier platform for music educators, researchers, and practitioners from around the world to exchange ideas, engage in professional development, and celebrate the transformative power of music education.
For information, contact Camilo Ortiz at [email protected].
