I always knew music played an important part of education. But, in fact, I had no idea how integral it truly was until I spoke to Angela Maiers.  The author, teacher, and creator of Maiers Educational Services, Inc., she has already spanned a 20-year career in education and continues to promote her passion for education extensively.  

She's the author of several books, articles, and curriculum support materials, has done tons of research on how scientific theory and research connect to real world practices, and has even developed various literacy institutes for educators and administrators. 

So where does music fit into the big picture?  Besides playing a role in her own research, Angela has noticed that students who use music in their studies are more motivated and eager to learn.  Just as well, students who take music lessons after school or in their free time have noticeably reached higher levels of discipline in comparison to their peers.  

Here's what this education expert has to say about music's contribution to education and how it's truly changing the world.

Annie Reuter is making her music dreams come true!

And she's not even a performer.

What she is, though, is an excellent writer and she's used that talent to start an entertaining and fun music blog based on her passion for the craft.

As a friend of Annie's from college, I watched her transform her love for writing and her love for music into the popular blog she has today.  I remember when she wrote hundreds of e-mails to friends asking for help with coming up with a name.  Hundreds of interviews, music critiques, concert reviews, band members, guitar players, and musicians later--You Sing, I Write is one of the most recognizable blogs on the online music blog scene today.  

I had the opportunity to talk to Annie about the creation and inception of the blog and her wonderful adventures and wonderful work.

John Dupuis may be the head of the Steacie Science & Engineering Library at York University and run a popular blog called Confessions of a Science Librarian--but he sure knows his rock music! After noticing a slew of music mixes on his site, I asked him to come up with a rock music list for Jemsite.  Here's the amazing compilation he brought us.--Ava

You know how some rock songs just get the old juices flowing? The beat, the chorus, the riff & solos, the lyrics -- all just perfect. Taken together, the song epitomizes what rock and roll is all about. Of course, we all have different sets of these perfect songs, some of us will only have one or two we give that exhalted status, some will have a whole set's worth. Another thing that's really going to play into it is our age. I'm 46, so the age when I really got into popular music (mid-to-late teens) is what really imprinted on me -- the late 1970's and early 1980's and what was playing on rock radio in that era.

So, here goes: Five perfect rock songs:

The Guitar Hero series on Jemsite features interviews with guitarists and musicians who may not have star status YET, but their current situations have shaped them to be who they are--determined, fond of their craft, and heroes in their own right.  Perhaps you'll see in these upcoming entries the next Jimi Hendrix, Melissa Etheridge, or Duane Allman.  Or perhaps they'll become household names by doing what they do best--ripping a mean riff!

Another jazz guitarist in our midst.  But not just any jazz guitarist.  Steve Herberman is something special because he has a passion for his craft---and more then just that--he loves teaching it to others too! But it's even more then for Steve. He loves the little things about being a musician--the breaths taken, sharing it with a band and his fan, the chance to bring a new sound to a whole new audience, and the opportunity to continue doing what he loves.  

What more can one ask for? And that's why he's our next Guitar Hero!

Did you initially study jazz guitar or was that something you fell into after studying classical and/or electric?

I started playing rock guitar on an electric after a brief stint with the classical guitar only not playing classical music on it. It was the Beatles, Deep Purple, and Eagles, when I started playing at around 11 years old. 

The Guitar Hero series on Jemsite features interviews with guitarists and musicians who may not have star status YET, but their current situations have shaped them to be who they are--determined, fond of their craft, and heroes in their own right.  Perhaps you'll see in these upcoming entries the next Jimi Hendrix, Melissa Etheridge, or Duane Allman.  Or perhaps they'll become household names by doing what they do best--ripping a mean riff!

Who knew a Netherlands guitarist and jazz music could come together? Now they have! Despite the fact that Jens Larsen began his guitar playing skills studying classical guitar and later turned to electric to get out the Jim Hendrix he held inside, by the time Larsen moved to jazz guitar, he knew it was the right thing for him to do.

A Scandanavian musician who sees the beauty in jazz guitar? Now that's our Guitar Hero!

What’s your background in guitar and how did you decide to focus on jazz guitar in particular?

I started out having lessons in classical guitar when I was 12. Where I lived in Denmark you could not get lessons in any other kind of guitar at that time. I did not get an electric guitar before I was 17. And it was later when I moved to the city that I started lessons on electric guitar and playing in bands etc.