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.

I am so passionate about education and the work that is being done with students across the world, that I often forget that teaching was not my chosen profession. Although, I often dreamed of  being a teacher, I studied for four years to become a doctor. Addicted to the learning, fascinated by how the body works, and in love with science I was dedicated to the pursuit of medicine,  and if not for the council of a wonderful college professor, I may have very well continued down that path.

I am so grateful for that day as I followed my heart. Over 20 years later, I still wake up saying: I LOVE MY JOB.  I have the opportunity to travel the world helping teachers and schools work at the grassroots level to improve students lives, and to top that off, I am invited into these amazing classrooms to work with students. I don't tell the teachers, but this is my favorite part as I so love the kids. I feel smarter every day that I come home from my job. It almost makes me feel guilty that I get paid for this! 

How much has music played a part in your 20-year career? In what way?

I have always loved music. All genres, all types, and artists. I have been playing the piano since the age of five. Music was my escape, my calming influence, and my joy.  I do not play near as much as I wish that I could, and when I do there is frustration of a gift that I have let slowly slip away. It is still in my plans to return to the work, and bring focus back to a part of my life that I cherished so much!

Tell me about your work and IF music plays a part in that in way.

As a writer, music is my motivator. It is almost impossible for me to write without it. I can not imagine my work or personal life without it. In my teaching, music played a large part in my classroom routine. Different parts of my day were defined by the music playing in the room. Students helped me select " study music, play music, share music (their favorite tunes), and project music". It has both a calming and productive effect as it set the tone for the work we were to engage in. I would love to see that more in our classrooms. It is frustrating as I write this to you now, my son received detention this week for bringing his ipod to school!

Can you use music in the classroom? In what ways? What about online?

Online music is essential, and I believe will continue to become an essential language and literacy necessary to communicate and connect in a global world. Music transcends gender, race, background, status, and culture. Music has the power to unite us in ways that otherwise we may find ourselves divided and misunderstood! Music reminds us that we are more alike than we are different; we all cry, we all love, we all seek to be valued.

Since this is a guitar site, you must tell our readers how guitar can be used in education and whether you’ve had any experience using it or guitar-influenced music to provide new ways of learning.

The guitar is an amazing instrument. To see it used in the creation of music and message across genre from hard rock to soft balad is extraordinary. What a powerful study for students to see how the instrument itself as evolved and adapted across culture and time. The potential for remixing, recreating, and expanding the potential of any "traditional" instrument or sound is endless with Web2.0 tools. I have recently brought the guitar into my critical literacy conversations as I have watched the United Airlines customer take his case to the airwaves. (You Tube: United Breaks My Guitar) which has brought to the forefront of every field the power of social media, impassioned users, and new mediums for communication to light.

Do you notice a difference in students who take lessons in a musical instrument during or outside of school? More discipline?

Yes, yes yes. Not only because of the "new language" they are acquiring, but they understand the learning process at a much deeper and more personal level. They see the relationship and necessity of all components required for successful learning - modeling, listening, coaching, team work, PRACTICE.  In order to play and instrument well, all these elements must be present. They also understand that there is no "mastery" of the discipline. You don't work to get an "A"- you work to refine craft, to grow, and to engage in the continual study of the art. Unfortunately, we do not approach academics in the same way. To many students literacy is simply a series of isolated skills to master. Students never get to hear books sing!

Does music help in literacy education?

Absolutely! Our brains are meaning making, pattern seeking organisms. We learn and thrive when we can discover and use those patterns to makes sense of the world. Music has an extraordinary capacity to help us do both more efficiently and effectively. Music is not a collection of random notes- it is a pattern. The order, the cadence, and the connected nature of the notes are what help us enjoy and understand the message being conveyed. When we connect music to difficult and isolated parts of language- we remember that language because we have a way of remembering the pattern of that language. That is why it is so important to not only read to young children, but SING to them. The ABC's are much easier to remember and understand when we put it to song!

Tell me about your literacy institutes.  How are they unique?

Literacy like music is an art to be studied, experienced, and explored. The institutes give me a chance to present literacy in this way rather than a one day workshop on a certain skill or strategy involved in reading or writing. We study the powerful communication that exists between individuals, disciplines, and genres. I help teachers deeply understand that the "words" that mathmaticians use to communicate their ideas are a very different language than the words that poets speak. When we can unpack literacy, discover the patterns of discourse, and reveal that to our readers the entire communication process is transformed. I often make analogies to the work of athlete and musicians as I help teachers uncover the structures and conditions that need to be in place in order create powerful readers, writers, and communicators. Each institute is customized and unique- like their own private lesson!

Tell me about your book Classroom Habitudes.

The Habitudes are not new. They are the principles, habits, and behaviors of successful individuals since the beginning of time. The evidence of extraordinary human capacity and potential exists in every discipline.  And again, if we "study" the great musicians, basketball players, scientists, artists, writers, etc... they have consistent and identifiable attributes. The Habitudes are a broad overview of six I believe are most critical for success and fulfillment: Imagination, Curiosity, Perseverance, Self Awareness, Courage, and Adaptability. My mission with the Habitudes has been to take these habits and attitudes and create a framework to teach it. The Habitudes book represents those conversations with students.

How is the world of music education changing (whether this means using music to teach, studying music inside and outside the classroom, etc.) using it as a method of learning, in your 20-year career.

The WORLD is changing. One of the most powerful changes is the rise of what Richard Florida calls the "creative class". As we look at the trends of doing business and life in a global economy, the jobs in greatest demand require "right brain" attributes. The ability to see patterns, thing in big ideas, innovate, create, collaborate, communicate with empathy and impact. Is this not what great musicians do?
 
If you study successful leaders in the last several decades, you will find that many have a musical background. Dan Pink speaks about this in his wonderful book: "A Whole New Mind".  The future is often protrayed as something very scary and unpredictable, yet we can be sure of several things. Jobs that once required manual, repetitve, assembly line order(left brain) will continue to disappear as computers and outsourcing. In high demand will be individuals who can communicate powerfully, deliver thier messages with levity and brevity, and connect and collaborate effectively within and across diverse contexts. Whether music plays a primary role in the job they will hold, their musical expereince will enhance their abilities in ALL these arenas.