MUSIC:

See me, hear me

A COLLECTIVE EXPLORATION OF POWER FROM
THE ATTENDEES OF THE 2019 YOLA NATIONAL
SYMPOSIUM AND FESTIVAL
002 003

Contents
004 Foreword

006 What are we hoping to achieve?

016 A letter to the reader

028 Defining our terms

038 What’s up for grabs?

046 A letter to myself

054 Finding your flow

066 Expert interviews

088 Making our case

094 Music-powered super-me

102 Credits

104 About B+A

Foreword
004 005

For three incredible days in July, 2019, the YOLA National

Symposium brought together hundreds of students, educators,
and artistic leaders from El Sistema-inspired and youth
development music programs all across the world. The inspiring
speeches, the impassioned conversations, and the vibrant
performances left us feeling more uplifted than ever. After
the Symposium’s final session, our thoughts turned to the other
362 days of the year. How do we keep this energy alive? How do
we share these ideas with others in the field? How do we keep
our conversations going all year long? Music: See me, hear me
is our attempt to do just that.

The Symposium’s theme—Empowering Youth, Building

Community—also forms the central focus of this book. Throughout
the Symposium, we asked participants to examine the role of power
in our classrooms and in our communities. Again and again, we were
brought back to the notion that power shared is not power lost and
that the best way to empower a young musician is to create space
for them to empower themselves. In light of those ideas, the words
of young musicians form the core of Music: See me, hear me.
Their voices are our best guide for the way forward. 

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association is tremendously grateful

to every participant in the YOLA National Symposium and the YOLA
National Festival who gave so generously of their time and so openly
trusted in the process. We are honored and humbled. We hope this
book serves as an ongoing inspiration to you and anyone who
believes in music’s extraordinary power to change lives.

The YOLA National Team, September 2019

006 007

What are
we hoping
to achieve?
WHAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE FOR THE BOOK?
WHAT WOULD SUCCESS LOOK LIKE?
008 W H AT A R E W E H O P I N G T O A C H I E V E ? 009

If this book only achieves one thing, it should... If this book only achieves one thing, it should...

be a deep examination inspire. I want this book

of what we do, why we do to inspire me when I’m
it, and how we can learn having a tough day, when
to change the “what”and I’m burnt out, when I
the “why” when necessary. keep running into road
It should be a practice blocks. I want to be able
resource for someone who to open this book and
wasn’t here this weekend remember why I’m here,
to be able to reference for in the classroom.
new ideas and practices,
whether a teaching artist
or administrator.
010 W H AT A R E W E H O P I N G T O A C H I E V E ? 011

If this book only achieves one thing, it should... If this book only achieves one thing, it should...

provide support to allow let me know that I am not

power holders to arrive the only one with the same
at a place where they fears and challenges. That
trust sharing power. we are not alone in our
struggles to improve.

liberate the mind and create a future that is

spirit to align fully with just and fair.
creativity and clarity in
all teachers and students,
creating a body of people
fully engaged in the arts.
012 W H AT A R E W E H O P I N G T O A C H I E V E ? 013

My dream for the success of this book, is that it... My dream for the success of this book, is that it...

is transformative. is the blueprint for

It will be “abolitionist.” change. Simply keeps us
Quoting Dr. Bettina Love. together. There is always
a need for balance. We
have to strive to want to
understand each other.

is no longer needed
because it has contributed
to understanding and
paradigm shifts
throughout the world.
014 W H AT A R E W E H O P I N G T O A C H I E V E ? 015

My dream for the success of this book, is that it... My dream for the success of this book, is that it...

has become part of how gives a voice to the

we live. So the training students who have spent
is now a worldwide their youth learning from
practice. That it has us so that we can in turn
closed the power gap. learn from them and
Love and respect reign enhance the experiences
supreme. of those who come next.
I dream that others outside
this movement can read
the book and take away the
ideas that give us so much
passion for what we do and
apply those ideas into
other fields.
016 017

A letter to
the reader
WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR? WE WROTE
LETTERS TO THE PERSON WE WOULD
MOST LIKE TO READ THEM.
018 INTRODUCTION 019

7.27.2019 7.27.2019
 Los Angeles, CA  Los Angeles, CA

Dear Gustavo Dudamel (educator of the next generation) Dear Education Administrator/Chicago Public Schools,

I am a music student and I am here to tell you that my peers are
capable of incredible things. My generation has the potential to
change this world for the better in every field imaginable, from
the arts to the sciences. But, this capability is locked up and
hidden away. It is buried under years of adultism, tokenism, and
patronization. Their capability is hidden even from them, and the
same adults who have the power to hide their potential must
be the ones to uncover it.
This book is made to show the world that if we want change, it
starts with the youth. If you want to create someone who has the
ability to change the world, you don’t need to create, we are here.
We are the youth.
The purpose of this book is to describe and destroy the power
dynamic between teachers and students within educational settings.
Our current methods of teaching are flawed and are a disservice
to our youth.
I encourage you to read this book and develop better relationships
to students and their communities. It’s essential to the future
leaders of the next generation.
Yours in loving music,
Andre Jamal

By the end of this book, I hope you feel that youth need to be
empowered. Your voice is incredibly powerful, and it is your duty
to share our message. If you want a future that is good for all,
it is time to empower the youth. Will you join us?

Yours in loving music,

Stellaluna
020 INTRODUCTION 021

7.27.2019 7.27.2019
 Los Angeles, CA  Los Angeles, CA

Dear Presidential Candidate, Dear Mom,

Welcome to this book of music, Welcome to the book of music!

We wrote this book because as music teachers engaged in social I wrote this book because I wanted to let you know that as a parent
change, we know something crucial about the power of music to of a child progressing through their musical career, you are a part
drive social transformation. of their journey.

We think you should read this book because we have never heard
any of the 2020 aspiring candidates for the presidency talk about
the importance of the arts, arts education, or music education.
When you read this, please feel and absorb the truth and power of
its message and make the arts an important part of your platform
and your vision.
I think you should read this book because you need to understand
that as a parent, there may be financial struggles, but you have
to give your child their best chance even if it means taking leaps
of faith.
I hope you realize the significance, support, effort, and love means
to the overall development of your kid’s musical career.

Pass this book on to every other candidate! Let’s talk about arts and When you read this, pass it on to your other mom friends, as a
social change! reminder that it takes a village. Don’t just put the letter down, but
think about how this could impact your family or community.
Yours in loving music,
Tricia Yours in loving music,
Hadiya
022 INTRODUCTION 023

7.27.2019 7.27.2019
 Los Angeles, CA  Los Angeles, CA

Dear Mama, Dear Mom,

Welcome to this book about music! I’m writing this book so
everyone including yourself will know how important music
education is to me and all humanity. I need your help to be my
advocate for me and all young people, to make sure we all have
music in our school.
Welcome to the book of music.
I wrote this book because quiero hacerte entender y senatir algo
parecido a lo que yo he sentido durante mi vida musical, esa energía
y tranquilidad que la música de.

You should read this to understand how music helps me/us grow I hope you puedas no sole leer sino abir to mente a este sentimento
and learn. I’m more confident and love to learn more and more que queremos transmitir a travez de las palabras.
about music and everything else. I hope you take this to raise your
voice in support of me and music. Don’t tell me I should have a Yours in loving music,
backup plan, because I already do. It is to be a musician or anything Luìsamar
I want to be.

Yours in loving music,

Rubi
024 025

Defining
our terms
WHAT DO WE UNDERSTAND BY THE
WORD POWER, AND BY ITS OPPOSITE?
026 DEFINING OUR TERMS 027

Power is... Powerlessness is...

complicated. It is when someone can

beautiful and dangerous. change what you do
Nuanced. Plants growing but you cannot change
= power. Plants being what they do.
destroyed = power.

Power is a vital energy

that can be filtered
through a lens of yourself.
(My goal is to polish that
lens, focus power.)
028 DEFINING OUR TERMS 029

Power is... Powerlessness is...

the capacity to being robbed of agency,

move matter through respect, freedom, talent,
space—move energy opportunity, and your
through time—move own story by those who
people toward feeling make assumptions about
—use it well. all of those things.
030 DEFINING OUR TERMS 031

Power is... Powerlessness is...

the “light” you can knowing that my

transmit and absorb from words will not be heard.
a person and situation. Powerlessness is not
having a name.

listening, learning, being defeated and

questioning, and guiding restrained by fear of
to achieve and activate rejection, failure,
an idea. and / or not fitting
the mold.
032 DEFINING OUR TERMS 033

Power is... Powerlessness is...

the ability to control going to work, school,

or change something or anywhere else where
or someone including you have social or
oneself. communal expectations
put on you without a
Power is knowledge. sense of authenticity
Power is access. Power or individuality.
is shared.
034 DEFINING OUR TERMS 035

Power is... Powerlessness is...

not being “in charge.” gut-wrenching

Power means to lead with desperation.
others. Power means to
work together for change. Powerlessness is being
dependent on someone
else, the loss of human
dignity, and the absence
of choice.
036 037

What’s up
for grabs?
WE WERE ASKED TWO QUESTIONS: WHAT
IS POSSIBLE BY MAKING POWER MORE
EQUAL AND WHAT ARE THE RISKS WE FACE
BY MAKING POWER MORE EQUAL.
038 W H AT ’ S U P F O R G R A B S ? 039

If power were more equal, then... If power were more equal, then...

we would see a greater everyone could fit into

abundance of unique, the role of student
creative, and meaningful and teacher.
expressions of ways of
being an individual.
040
If power were more equal, then...
systemic and institutional
racism would never have
been able to take root in
the United States, stifling
lives and hopes.
W H AT ’ S U P F O R G R A B S ? 041
If power were more equal, then...
we’d have the ability to
explore mistakes and be
able to fix them. If power
were more equal, then
the experience of the
whole would be enriched
by a larger diversity of
perspectives, more
people would take
ownership of who they
are, what they have,
where they are from,
and what they want.
042
A rebalance of power risks...
more conflicts, but
conflicts are needed
to reach resolutions.
people getting upset
because people who they
think should be below
them are now equal.
W H AT ’ S U P F O R G R A B S ? 043
A rebalance of power risks...
a sense of innate control
the adult has over the
child. I believe that many
adults are scared of what
a child might bring to
the table. It might be a
fear that the adult isn’t
the authority figure,
loss of control.
044 W H AT ’ S U P F O R G R A B S ? 045

A rebalance of power risks... A rebalance of power risks...

undermining the a change in our routine,

effectiveness of and no one likes change.
current leaders. It is uncomfortable for
those in power to be
vulnerable.
046 047

A letter
to myself
WE BELIEVE MUSIC IS A LIFE-CHANGING
FORCE FOR GOOD. SO, WE WROTE
WELCOME LETTERS TO OUR YOUNG
SELVES AS WE EMBARKED ON OUR
FIRST MUSICAL JOURNEYS.
048
 Summer 2007
Dear Olivia,
Welcome to music! What’s fantastic about music is that you’ll
never be bored or alone again. You’ll constantly be challenged to
push yourself. You’ll challenge your ideas of what is possible. You’ll
meet some of the most incredible people, and you’ll visit the most
breathtaking places. It’ll open your eyes and your mind to ideas and
ways of life you never thought possible.
There will be challenges. You’ll struggle with feeling like your body
will never feel comfortable holding an instrument. That you’ll never
look right on stage. People will tell you you don’t belong with their
words, their actions, their faces. But it’ll serve to make you more
confident. Stronger. Better and ready to take on any challenge that
comes your way.
What you need to know now is that all that matters is that you do
what you love and never lose the joy you feel whenever you make
music. Above all else, it’s the music that will carry you home.
Love,
Olivia
A LET TER TO MYSELF 049
01/03/2019
 Austin TX, USA
Dear Sarah,
Welcome to music! What’s great about music is that you now
have a voice. A voice to express yourself. It doesn’t matter how
young you are. With music, you have a way to show the world
what you stand for.
What will challenge you are your expectations from your family and
from yourself. At a certain point, you might feel down from how your
family feels about your dreams to be an artist. Ignore them. Keep
auditioning, keep learning, keep looking for new opportunities to
spread hope around your community and world.
What you need right now is to allow yourself to be VULNERABLE.
Everyone has feelings, and remember that it’s ok to be weak
sometimes. As a Drayen Mason Fellow, it might feel like you’re on
top of the world. Stay HUMBLE and down to earth. Keep learning
as much as you can from your teachers, your friends, and the
curveballs that life throws at you.
Remember that your family loves you no matter what and that
though they might not like that you get into music, they will always
be there to support you.
From,
Sarah
050 A LET TER TO MYSELF 051

05/10/2008 07/27/2019
 Los Angeles, CA  LA California

Dear Pedro, Querida Luisamar,

Music will serve as your guidance to humanity. Although you’re
not sure of it yet, playing your instrument is training you to speak
your voice of civics—civics means meaning the love, passion, and
care you have for the diverse people in the world. What you need
to do is to practice excellence in your craft, so you can step
forward as an example for those who will respect you for it.
Although the work is strenuous, and although you’ll encounter
prejudice and bigotry, your voice as a musician will remind
humanity to love each other just the way WE are.
Yours in loving music,
Pedro
Welcome to music!
What’s great about music is la liberatad y el sentimiento
liberador que siento to alma al tocar, al lograr superar cada
dia tocar una nota mas que el dia anterior.
Esto es lo correcto para ti sientes mas intensamente, es adiptivo
la sensacion.
Cada reto que superaras te hará sentir la persona mas poderosa,
el reto es superarte cada olia mas y ser la mejor version de ti.
Paciencia deberas tener, constancia y sobre todo mucha disciplina
pero oreeme que todo, absolutamente todo valdra la pena.

Yours in loving music,

Luisamar
052
04/10/2007
 La Habra
Dear Liliana,
I need you to know that learning music will be no easy feat. It will
be difficult, and you will spend many hours practicing and sacrificing
your free time, but in those hours of frustration and exhaustion, you
will meet some of the most incredible, kind, and loving friends and
mentors. You will learn that playing music is about more than just
learning rhythms and phrasing; it’s about building a community
and sharing the memories and hard work with those around you.
Lili, I want you to know that music will change not only your life
but the perspective of this world.
Yours in loving music,
Lili
A LET TER TO MYSELF 053
05/05/1988
 Tucson, AZ
Dear Meghan,
Welcome to music!
What’s great about music is the vast richness of thought
and emotion; it can reach me spiritually, mentally, emotionally,
and physically.
Music (and cello especially) are right for me, because I am a
person of logic, but music brings out the feelings, fears, and
pleasures that I have no words for—no language, no verbal
expression can communicate what music uncovers and exposes.
The challenge will be convincing myself that I am good enough.
In music, there is always someone better, and a better me. Even
as an adult I am challenged to accept myself—this is even harder
than accepting others.
What you need to know right now is to be brave—be confident.
Take pleasure not only in growth but with who I am now.
Yours in loving music,
Meghan
054 055

Finding
your flow
HOW DO WE KEEP CLASSROOMS FOCUSED
AND KEEP ANXIETY AND BOREDOM AT BAY,
SO EVERYONE CAN ENJOY MUSIC’S POWER
TO THE FULLEST?
 056 ANXIET Y AND BOREDOM 057

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s The students in most Sistema-inspired programs bring

model of “flow” such a wide range of abilities that it is challenging to
guide them into flow experiences together. Looking at
the Csikszentmihalyi’s Flow chart—the same assignment
is likely to be too challenging for some and too easy for
others in the same group at the same time. It seems
impossible to empower a full group to slip into full
engagement in “flow” together. Except for one amazing
human tendency. If young people believe we are truly
on their side, that we see them (individually and
collectively), feel that we love them, and sense that the
offered assignment is genuinely given for their benefit,
they will self adjust their participation to find flow with
CHALLENGE

the rest of the group. Those who found it too hard and
Anxiety potentially anxiety-producing, will customize their
participation, simplifying it in some way, so they can
join in the flow. And those who found it too easy will add
complexity to avoid boredom and to keep the practicing
interesting for them, working on some extra feature or
idea or experiment. This individual self-management
in loving-and-motivated environments maximizes the
success of the group inviting students to adjust their
participation to find their power—in a delicate ongoing
W

dance of self-management to add to the success of the

O
FL

community—that will serve them well for the rest of

their lives.
Boredom
Eric Booth
Independent arts learning consultant

SKILL
058 ANXIET Y AND BOREDOM 059

How is power facilitated by moments of: In moments of anxiety, my power was stronger
Anxiety and boredom? than my fear. It shined through.

Anxiety pushes us past our comfort zone where Sometimes boredom is needed to free the mind
we must rise to the challenge. to explore new thoughts.

Boredom allows us to energize ourselves. An internal

push rather than a push from the external world. The When you are in a position of power, anxiety is
idea is a balance of motivation of our internal and a temporary condition.
external worlds.
When you are in a position of power, boredom
is a privilege.
Anxiety is key in order to understand there is a
necessity of growth. We may feel we have a lack of

Both make you lose

power whenever we feel some sort of anxiety. We
need to struggle in order to see any form of success.

Those who are bored/highly skilled, begin to tell power. Power is control
and balance. Boredom
others what to do and how to do it under the guide
of “efficiency.” Those who are overly challenged

leads to disconnection.
surrender power to those who “know it all.”

The only aspect of anxiety that I feel is empowering Anxiety leads to fear.
is the feeling of accomplishment afterward—having
felt anxious and then risen to the challenge makes me

Getting out of those

feel more empowered than if it hadn’t been as much
of a challenge. I find that we can see too much anxiety

states IS POWER.
when we’re paralyzed—when that happens, we need
to course correct.
060 ANXIET Y AND BOREDOM 061

When can we tell that there’s too much anxiety

or boredom, so we can course correct?

We can tell that boredom is an issue when apathy takes

control of the overall goal. Boredom inhibits discipline
and distracts us from the matter of getting better.

Paralysis; deer in the headlights; sub-standard work;

confusion and disorganisation.

Negative conversations both in and out of closed doors.

When students regress and cannot perform things that

they had previously mastered.

When you are fighting too

much against what your
instincts tell you.
When unhealthy and / or self destructive
behaviors emerge.

Hyperactivity can be a sign of anxiety. The opposite

(a lack of interest) is usually true of boredom.
062 063
064 065
066 0 67

Expert
interviews
WE WANTED TO HEAR FROM STUDENT
ARTISTS (THE EXPERTS IN WHAT IT’S LIKE
TO BE TAUGHT IN THE CLASSROOM) TO
SHARE SOME OF THEIR PERSPECTIVES.
WE WERE JOINED BY YOUNG PEOPLE FROM
LOCAL PROGRAMS YOLA AT EXPO CENTER,
YOLA AT HOLA, AND YOLA AT TORRES.
HERE’S WHAT THEY TOLD US.
068 EXPERT INTERVIEWS 069

What is your favorite piece of struggle with keeping going,

Jose
16 years old
Cellist at YOLA at EXPO Center
Interview by Joanna and Lydia
music? Hmmm. That’s a tough
one, but I think right now my
favorite one would have to be
Tchaikovsky’s 2nd Symphony
because we played it in my
orchestra last semester. I’m
pretty sure it’s going to change,
but that’s it right now.
What do you love about playing
music? It’s very freeing, especially
since I go to a public charter
school with no music program,
so YOLA is my artistic outlet.
When did you realize that
music was “your thing”?
For a very long time—the first
six or seven years I was playing
my instrument—it wasn’t really
something I took seriously, it was
more of a hobby, but two—three
years ago, I realized I want to
carry out this passion that I have.
So not that long ago.
What in music do you struggle
with? For me, staying motivated
and feeling like I’m good enough
because there’s a lot of
competition. Sometimes I do
especially when I feel like there’s
not enough support, but I always
manage to bring myself back up.
Outside music, what else do
you love? I really like science
and math and engineering—I like
STEM. Music and STEM are very
different things and sometimes it
can be hard to incorporate both
of them, but I believe there are
many ways it can be done. For
example, right across the street
is Walt Disney Concert Hall,
which took a lot of ingenuity and
acoustic knowledge, and that’s
one way to incorporate them
all together.
What keeps you going when
things get hard? Just knowing
that my parents put me into the
program, and they came to this
country when they were pretty
young, so knowing that I’m
making them proud is one of the
biggest things that motivates me.
What advice would you give
to teachers, so they can more
often get the best out of
070
students? Listen to your
students, and, every once in a
while, just ask “what do you think
we can do to make our class
better?” or “what do you want
to do in class?” We do that in my
cello class, we talk as a group
about what we want to see the
next semester, and that
communication helps bring
everybody together and have
a better relationship between
teachers and students.
What advice would you
give young people who have
never made music? It’s never
too late to start. Even if you
didn’t start as young as five years
old, it’s ok, you still have time!
You may not be very good at
first, but like everything else
in life, it takes practice and
patience and being open to
new ideas as you go.
EXPERT INTERVIEWS 071
Other than teachers and other
students, who else would you
like to read the book? Parents
of young musicians, because
the parents are the people
who are the decision makers
for children. I would tell them to
push their child to start playing
an instrument, and if they don’t
like it after a while, that’s ok; it’s
not for everyone. If you are open
to putting your child into a music
program, it can really change
their life.
And what would you like to say
to them about yourself and
about music? At first they might
not want to do music, but along
the way, they will start loving it.
Be patient with them—for me,
it took a long time to start taking
music seriously. I think my parents
have been worried because I’m
still deciding whether I want to Roberto
do music in college, but don’t 13 years old
limit your child to what they want
to do in the future. Flute player at YOLA at Torres
072
What is your favorite piece of
music? That’s tough! It’s either
Waltz by Shostakovich or the
Carmen Overture by Bizet. YOLA
has a tour coming up to Mexico,
so I am preparing the Carmen
and like it.
What do you love about playing
music? What I love about playing
music is that it gives me a
different mindset. When I play
music, I don’t have to worry
about homework or what I have
to do. I only focus on what I have
to get done in the music. No
deadlines. You struggle with
every piece, but it is different.
Keep pushing forward.
When did you realize that
music was “your thing”? I’ve
been playing since third grade,
as my elementary school had
a music program. But I realized
it was my thing when I started
YOLA. YOLA gives me motivation
to keep on going. I know it is the
best thing for me personally.
I want to make it my career.
I always have the mindset that
I can do it. The sound we make
as an orchestra is beautiful even
though we all practice separately.
What in music do you struggle
with? What I struggle with
depends on the piece.
Sometimes I struggle with sight
reading, or feel a piece is too
complicated. I also get nervous
around performances. My family
pushes me because they know
I like to make music. I don’t
struggle with practicing. I am
always practicing; there’s no
need for my parents to push me.
I arrive at the rehearsal for the
beginning of a new piece, open
minded. But sometimes before
we have all practiced, at first,
they (or we!) all have opinions
about how to play the piece,
and we disagree and all struggle
together. But, the other kids in
groups I consider as my family,
we work together to get the
sound right.
Outside music, what else do
you love? I like math. I like to
go home and just open my
textbook and just think about
EXPERT INTERVIEWS
math. It helps me a lot—I find
the counting in music is similar
to math. I use it in transposing,
and it helps me count rests.
The math part of music is the
understanding part; the feeling
part is different. It’s like two
parts of the brain.
What keeps you going when
things get hard? Knowing that
my parents grew up in a poor
environment. I have seen how
much they have to struggle.
It motivates me to make sure
I succeed, to show my parents.
What advice would you give
to teachers, so they can more
often get the best out of
students? Pay attention to our
music-personalities. Sometimes
a teacher doesn’t ask if I need
help. They should ask me
more. They should make sure
I understand. They should notice
when I am getting frustrated. The
quieter you are, the less help you
get, so you have to speak up to
get good. This is in music and in
life, in school.
073
What advice would you
give young people who have
never made music? I always
invite my friends to my concerts.
I want them to see what I love,
and that I am going to make a
living out of it. I say: “Just come
to the concerts, and listen. You
don’t have to understand. Maybe
some of it is boring, but hear the
different parts and they way they
all come together.”
Other than teachers and other
students, who else would you
like to read the book? I would
like to have my family and friends
read the book. I want them to
hear my voice. To understand
what I have to say.
What do you want to be
doing in 10 years from now?
I hope to be getting my Masters
Degree in music, trying to get into
a music program / conservatory.
Juilliard or Colburn, helping
other students.
0 74 EXPERT INTERVIEWS
What is your favorite piece
of music? Tchaikovsky’s
Nutcracker or anything new!
What do you love about playing
music? I love to connect with
people that have the same
passions. Music helped me fit
in after I was a new resident of
this country after I moved from
Mexico. It was difficult to learn
a new language, and my parents
were working a lot, so I felt
lonely. Music allowed me to make
friends and have something in
common with a community.
When did you realize that
music was “your thing”? In
about fourth grade. Music made
me see something different in
my school day and brought me
happiness. School was easy, and
music gave me a new challenge.
Leydi
14 years old What in music do you struggle
with? Learning new techniques
Flute player at YOLA at Torres to make a piece flow. For
example, new fingerings (forked
fingerings) to play pieces faster.
Interview by Courtney
075
Outside music, what else do
you love? I love my family and
friends who have been there for
me through my struggles. For
example, even if I cannot attend
a festival because I am not able
to travel, I still take the audition.
I always try and see the bright
side of things. So, even if I can’t
go to a festival, I should still learn
the music for the audition so
I can learn the new techniques
and get better as a musician.
What advice would you
give to teachers, so they can
more often get the best out
of students? Try to understand
and support them not just in
music but also as a person.
Helping us see that even if you
don’t completely fit into a large
environment, you can still form
a small peer group. Even if I
can’t take advantage of every
opportunity, my teachers still
helped me prepare and grow.
Teachers should share their
own experiences so we can
learn from their struggles and
failures too.
076
What advice would you give
young people who have never
made music? Respect people
who do want to be musicians.
Offer support and be nice so
future musicians do not get
discouraged.
Other than teachers and
other students, who else
would you like to read the
book? People like me who may
feel lost. To teach them that
money, fame, or fashion does
not bring you happiness. Music
and art can bring you lots of
happiness and make you
become a better person.
EXPERT INTERVIEWS 077
And what would you like to say
to them about yourself, and
about music? I would tell them
that as a person that came to the
U.S. new and lost, music taught
me that everything will be ok.
You do not only have to have an
office job, but being a musician
or artist could also be a reality
and a profession. I want to
inspire others and to show them
that you do not have to be alone.
With music, you can find others
that share the same passion.
I would like to make a program
for kids like me who may feel
lost or have barriers like not
being able to travel or have
enough money to do things.
Estrella
14 years old
Cellist at YOLA at Torres
Interview by Meghan, Abiram,
Olivia, and David
078
What do you love about
playing music? It’s a real fun
way to express yourself. When
you’re playing, you’re really
communicating.
When did you realize that
music was “your thing”? In
fourth grade, I started violin but
loved cello. The cello looked
cute and small. The cello looks
beautiful like you.
What in music do you struggle
with? Probably confidence. I’m
comfortable with the orchestra
but I get scared doing a solo.
I want to overcome this fear,
though. I want to do solos! What
worries me is that I might not be
able to do my best for my family.
Outside music, what else do
you love? I love to read. I recently
read a book about a girl who didn’t
know she had dyslexia. She had
friend who helped her. What I like
about the book is that me and
the character in the book have
a something in common. I don’t
have a lot of good friends, but I
have close friends that help a lot.
What keeps you going when
things get hard? Thinking about
my parents. They came from
Mexico in middle school. I can’t
have any excuses because they
had it so hard. When things gets
hard for me, I ask for help and
guidance. I think about the problem
I’m having and imagine what I can
do to change for the better.
What advice would you give
to teachers, so they can more
often get the best out of
students? The biggest mistake
that teachers make is doubting
the students. They should more
quickly move on to showing
us new and the next things.
Sometimes, we can do more
than they think! And another
point—remember, things are
different now. We have our
phones and sometimes
technology messes with our
minds. Sometimes tech can have
a bad influence on us making us
act bad when we don’t need to.
What advice would you
give young people who have
never made music? Music
EXPERT INTERVIEWS 079
taught me determination and
patience, so that when things
don’t come easily, you have
to earn them.
Other than teachers and
other students, who else would
you like to read the book? I’d
love non-musicians to read this
book, so they can learn how it
feels to live under the pressure
that musicians regularly endure.
And what would you like to
say to them, about yourself,
and about music? I grew up
in a very Latin family. One day
I discovered music that gave
me an opportunity to view life
in a different way. Before music
I would go home and watch tv
and do my homework. YOLA told
me to get up and do something:
You have to practice.
What do you want to be
doing in 10 years from now?
I’ll be studying medicine, with
the ambition of doing medical
research.
080 EXPERT INTERVIEWS
What is your favorite piece
of music? Undecided. Let’s
come back to that. (20 minutes
later) There’s just so much! I
can’t choose.
What do you love about playing
music? I love everything about
it! Since I play flute, I’m in the
center of everything in the
orchestra. And when you’re in
the center, you can hear every
little piece, every detail, and it’s
all so so beautiful. I get to hear
every little part that is working
together to create this complete
piece, and it just touches my
heart. It’s one if the most
beautiful things I’ve had the
privilege to experience.
When did you realize that
music was “your thing”? It’s
always been a part of me. I had a
Fryda lot of energy as a kid. Lots of calls
17 years old to my mom from teachers! I was
dancing around stores all the
Flute player at YOLA at EXPO Center time! I needed an outlet and
my mom knew that I just needed
that. She signed me up for YOLA,
the next day, and I’ve been a part
Interview by Sean of it since then.
081
What in music do you struggle
with? I would say confidence.
I struggle with rhythm. I see
myself, and I struggle with
comparing myself to others.
And with that, the hardest part
about that feeling is feeling that
you can’t be great. And it can
really stop me from doing my
best. I think to myself: “there’s
no way you will ever be that
good.” And these feeling started
developing as I got older actually.
Even just speaking out is hard for
me. But I think this process, (this
symposium) has actually been
giving me a lot more confidence.
Outside music, what else do
you love? (Big breath) My family.
My culture. Being Mexican...
there is so much beauty to it and
being out here in LA... there are
so many cultures and it’s so great
to be able to share my culture
with others. Also, I just love
looking at people. People are so
beautiful. I love people watching
in the park, just interacting.
Everyone has their own story,
and when I look at people, I like
to imagine their individual story.
082
What keeps you going (maybe
in music, but it could be in
school or in life) when things
get hard? I would say love. Just
even my passion to find things
I love. Whenever I’m in a dark
time and I feel like giving up, I get
back up because I have this push
in me to get through it. I think:
“this is not the end.” My family is
the reason I want to be a better
person. They made a lot of
sacrifices to get me where I am,
and I want to do well for them. I
genuinely believe that everything
that we do comes from love...
for others and ourselves.
What advice would you give
to teachers, so they can more
often get the best out of
students? (Long pause) Don’t
give up. Sometimes as students,
we close up. But I’d remind
teachers to just remind students
that you’ll always be there and
eventually, over time, they will
come to you. So, I’m not the type
of person to open up, and I don’t
like to show or reveal my
weaknesses. I had a teacher
who would always check in on
EXPERT INTERVIEWS 083
me. I knew she was there but And what would you like to say
I never really opened up to her. to them about yourself and
Once, I was at YOLA camp and about music? There’s so much
I was in a tough spot... just a to say! But in short... Music saved
sort of dark place, and I just my life, I guess.
started crying. This teacher
found me so upset, and she just What do you want to be doing
sat with me. She was just there in ten years from now? I would
by my side, and she didn’t need say that in ten years from now,
to say anything. I learned a lot in I’d want to be making a change.
this moment, and it opened my Giving back to YOLA and giving
eyes that I don’t have to hide back to others in any way I could.
being weak. I’d love to give back in other
communities also. You know,
What advice would you give just make a change!
young people who have never
made music? I would probably
say “love life.” It doesn’t have to
be with music; it could be with
anything. There’s beauty in our
struggles. I’d want them to know
that there’s good people out
there. I’d want them to have
hope and to have trust in others.
Other than teachers and other
students, who else would you
like to read the book? I would
say everyone! I think everyone
needs to know this and apply it
in any situation.
084 EXPERT INTERVIEWS
What is your favorite piece
of music? “Can-Can” because
some parts are exciting and
some parts are slow. It’s like
a river with rapids and slower
moving parts. I like the variety
of the music
What do you love about
playing music? I like the
different feelings that music
gives you. I like that there are
challenging parts but it’s not
like school. For example in math
class, you have units and once
you understand the idea in the
unit then you’re bored. But with
music, it’s varied. There are slow
parts and fast parts, movements
and whole symphonies. It’s
always changing, and there’s
always something to do.
When did you realize that
Emir music was “your thing”?
12 years old Dad is a singer, and that’s how
he got started. He would sing
Cellist at YOLA at HOLA Requinto with his dad. My first
instrument was viola, but I was
moved to cello. I don’t know why
I was switched, but I’m glad it
Interview by Olivia
085
happened. I realized cello was
my thing because I really liked
the low strings but also the
variety of pizzicato and double
stops. Music gave me a feeling
of confidence. For me, music
is a story because there can be
suspenseful parts or calm / sad
parts that tell different ideas.
Music for me has always been
a family thing.
What in music do you struggle
with? I struggle with fast notes
and string crossing. I struggle
with rhythmic changes like
switching from eighth notes
to sixteenth notes. I made an
oath with myself: even though
things are hard, I push through
and I can do it. I always do it
because I want to go to college
and get a degree in music. I am
the only one in my family that is
going to college, and I want to
make them proud. I would love
to go to UCLA so that I could
stay close to my family. I made a
promise to my mom that I would
never leave her.
086
Outside music, what else do
you love? I really love playing
music with my dad. But I’m
also want to know more about
engineering. I want to get two
degrees: one in music and one
in engineering. I want to get a lot
of knowledge, so I can have an
impact on this huge world.
What keeps you going (maybe
in music, but it could be in
school or in life) when things
get hard? My family keeps me
going when times get hard.
Especially my mom. She always
knows what to say even when
I’m trying to hide what I’m
feeling. I really appreciate that
she always knows what to say
or can tell if I just need space.
What advice would you give
to teachers, so they can more
often get the best out of
students? Teachers need
patience. Some students learn
faster than others, and some
need more time. I get frustrated
because some teachers will
respond to my questions with
“pay attention,” rather than
EXPERT INTERVIEWS 087
coming up with another way from. For example, bullies bully
to explain things. It makes because they feel disempowered.
learning more complicated They try to show their power and
and makes you have to power get their power because they
through but not enjoy it. miss it elsewhere. I want them
to see they’re not alone.
What advice would you
give young people who have
never made music? Music isn’t
about the notes people are
hearing, but it’s about what it
means and what story it tells
others. Knowing music and the
challenges involved in learning
it shows perspective because
it’s not just about how well you
play the music, but what the
story means to you and how
you show it.
Other than teachers and
other students, who else
would you like to read the
book? I want people who are
making bad decisions to read
this book. I want them to know
that they are not alone. I think a
lot of people are influenced by
what they’ve gone through. Even
though it’s tough and personal,
people can always help and
understand where you’re coming
088 089

Making
our case
IF WE’RE TO TRANSFORM CLASSROOMS
AND CREATE MORE EQUALITY, IT WON’T
BE SMOOTH SAILING. THERE WILL BE
OPPOSITION. WE ASKED OUR CONTRIBUTORS
TO TELL US THE KIND OF ARGUMENTS THEY’D
PERSONALLY ENCOUNTERED, AND HOW THEY
COUNTER THEM. THESE ARE THEIR RESPONSES,
IN THEIR OWN WORDS.
090
1 2
Argument
When we say... music can bring
the world together.
We will hear... only some
people listen to certain types
of music, according to
stereotypes.
E.g. white people = classical
music, black people = jazz.
Counter
We will tell them... that there
is more out there than the
stereotypes put in the world.
We should have more diversity
from people playing and put in
the orchestras, to discover new
things with music, because it’s
a power tool in this world and is
needed for everybody.
At the end of the day, it’s
something we enjoy, so don’t
label it with race, because
anyone can have it and
obtain access.
T H E B AT T L E S W E W I L L F I G H T
When we say... we want open,
free opportunities (more
specifically, professional concerts)
for underprivileged communities
who might not have the $ to spend
on concerts. It may give them hope
and give them the gift of music.
We will hear... they don’t need
access to music because it’s not
a priority for us or them. It doesn’t
benefit us financially if we give it
to them for free.
We will tell them... that
music opens doors. It gives
us opportunities along the
way, which ultimately lead
to a better education and
a good job.
091
3
When we say... we want more
diversity in orchestras or
organizations because music
is for everyone...
We will hear... that it’s not as
important. Music is only for
those certain people. People
don’t pay attention to it or
people aren’t as interested.
We will tell them... that
everyone deserves to play
music, which has many benefits
besides learning to play an
instrument. It teaches people
life lessons and skills that
everyone should have access to,
not just “certain people.” Music
isn’t just about concerts or the
end product, but the process to
get there and the people that
help you along the way.
092 T H E B AT T L E S W E W I L L F I G H T 093

4 Now it’s your turn. Try your hand at establishing a counter

to a common argument against music education.

Argument
When we say... we want an When we say... When we say...
actual consistent space to teach
in/call my classroom...

We will hear... sorry, not enough

classrooms for what we need.
Then the consistency of teaching We will hear... We will hear...
will reflect the consistency of
my teaching space.

Counter
We will tell them... a crucial We will tell them... We will tell them...
element to building community,
is having a safe, reliable space
to make your own. Without that,
the youth development and
enrichment involved in learning
music cannot thrive. Regardless
of how fantastic of an educator/
mentor you are, an inconsistent
space will derail progress and
will make students / teachers
feel as though they are not
important, appreciated, or seen.
0 94 095

Music-powered
super-me
IF YOU’RE POWERED BY MUSIC, YOU’RE
A SUPERHERO. BUT WHAT ARE MUSIC’S
SUPERPOWERS? WHO’S MUSIC’S SIDEKICK
(AND WHO’S MUSIC’S MORTAL ENEMY)?
096 M U S I C- P OW ER ED S U PER- M E 097
098 M U S I C- P OW ER ED S U PER- M E 099
100 101

Who wrote
Rachelle Hernandez Fabian Narez Dacia Sigler Mollie Westbrook
Stephanie Hernandez Luisamar Navarro Patrick Slevin Judelle White
Martinez Norma Nunez-Ruch Chad Smith Mark Woodward

this book?
Luke Hilland Ishani O’Connor Megumi Smith Bonnie Yeager
Michael Hudson Patrick Olmos Stephen Marcia Yost
Leilani Hurtado Caitlin Olsen Smith-Contreras Sara Zanussi
Annie Huynh Charlie Ortiz Mary Sorlie Yifan Zhang
Hannah Jackson Kate Outterbridge Amy Sosa
Participants of the 2019 YOLA National Symposium Stephanie Jaimes Jeremy Parel Ana Soto
— educators, administrators, advocates, and other Frantzia Jean-Louis Melissa Parmelee Kim Stephens-Doll YOLA musicians
Meghan Johnson Sabrina Partida Alicia Stevenson Mina
key stakeholders in both Sistema-inspired programs
Eryn Johnson Rosendo Pena Melissa St. Thomas Kevin
and programs similarly invested in youth and Jen Kehs Samuel Peña Vikki Sung Maddy
community development through music education. Ameena Khawaja Diogo Pereira Elizabeth Swift Sophia
Elsje Kibler-Vermaas Juliana Perez Carolyn Sybesma Wilson
Anna Klimala David Perryman Julie Tam Aylin
Participants were joined by 30 young people from Alison Konopka Martin Pettis Debra Taylor Jose
Emily Lair Anna Pietraszko Danielle Taylor Fryda
local YOLA programs, YOLA at EXPO Center, YOLA Diane Lam Rachel Pryzgoda Mark Teshirogi Zoe
at HOLA, and YOLA at Torres. Virginia Lee Jody Rajesh Adrienne Thompson Zoe Paloma
Andrew Leonard Rey Ramirez Tamara Thrasher Kelvin
Casey Lipka Jocelyn Ramirez Jeremiah Tindall Ian
Heaven Aguilar Lucia Cahuantzi Bernardo de Jesus Coltan Foster Sarah Little Pedro Ramos Any Torres Alexis
Jessica Altfillisch Hermes Camacho Lopez Rubi Fregoso Ernesto Llorens Bonnie Reagan Moises Torres Victor
Adrienne Andisheh Caroline Campos Joshua deVries Cynthia  Fuentes Rachel Lopez Jessica Reynolds Derek Traub Estrella
Maria Araujo Alessandro Capitano Xiomara Di Maio Fabian Fuertes Daniel  Mallampalli Altfillisch Seth Truby Leydi
Jaider Arteaga Donayle Cardenas Amalia Diaz Taylor Fulton Therry Malone Claudia Rhodes Tricia Tunstall Mark
Ginny Atherton Andre Cardine Circe Diaz Gamero Alexis Gallardo Mike Manzo Alicia Rhymes Chris Tyler Jesus
Spencer Baldwin David Cardona Mary Deissler Florinda Garcia Ziyad Marcus Melinda Rice Liam Underwood Pablo
Martha Barron Esper Anne Case David Kirk Dirlam Tara  Gardner Mariel Marino Erica Richardson Jorge Luis Uzcategui Yolanda
Gabriel Benartzi Giancarlo Castro Melissa Dorvily Lois Garza Christian Lori Richardson Monique Van Willingh Madeline
Stefan Bialosiewicz Jessica Catalan Mercedes Dorvily Wilbert Gilley Martinez-Fritzges Juliana Rodriguez Sakari Vanderveer Emir
Jennica Bisbee Chris Chandler Chelsea  Downes Aaron Glaser Claudia Kelsey Rooney-Dorst Ricardo Vasquez Kelvin
Leni Boorstin Eric Johanna Chase Nori Durham Jasmin Gonzalez Martinez-Fritzges Alex Rosales Garcia Lydia Veilleux Alan
Booth Courtney Clark Sharon Eldridge Akhil Gopal Josue May Bria Royal Hugo Villanueva Yashelyn
Joanna Borowski Lindsay Clark Sean Elligers Christie Gray Andrew Medina Ashley Ruiz Monika Vischer Roberto
Chrestien Bottoms Anne Cohen Heath Ellis Andrea Guariguata Avi Mehta Orlena Ruiz Carroll Wallace Cristy
Reveta Bowers Julia Cole Kalla Ervin Marian Gutierrez Jose Meza Amanda Ryvkin Laurie Jo Wallace Salma
Caroline Boyce Natalie Conover Isabel Escalante Gabriel Gutierrez Dorothy Micklea Sophia Safa Sarah Wass Stellaluna
Phil Bravo Angelica Cortez Devitt Feeley Rivas Myka Miller Olivia Salas Richard Watkins
Jessica Brizuela Paul Cressey Laura Feeney Rachel Hacker Mario Miragliotta Gaudy Sanchez
Rachael Brown John Crever Beatriz Fernandez Christina Hall Sofia Miranda Robert Saunders
Satchel Brown Isidoro Cruz-Rivera Ivette Ferreira Joe Hamm Juan Felipe Molano Rachel Schlesinger
Kristi Maria Curran Curtis Melody Fevrier Jody Hanet Jair Montiel Marvin Scott
Brown-Montesano Maria Curtis Lydia  Fong Janet Hanet Mayra Moreno Ellen Sell
Aram Bryan Marquita Daniels Diana Flores Ashley Hare Debra Morgan Khandeya Sheppard
Holly Burnett Rosalind Darbeau Barquero Dalanie Harris Alanna Mossell Seetha Shivaswamy
Hernan Bustamante Camille Quanice Floyd Gerry Heise Jacqueline Munguia Holly Shogbesan
Javier Caballero Delaney-McNeil Krystle Ford Anne Henry Lorrie Murray Adeyinka Shonaike laphil.com/yn
102 103
About B+A
104

B+A is the fastest, most creative management

consultancy in the world. With offices in London,
Portland (Oregon), and Shanghai, we answer
three questions for our clients:

What’s going on around us?

Where should we go from here? and
How do we get the best from our people?

We work for a world of cultural, charitable, and

profitable enterprises and so have clients in these
three sectors including Nike, Google, VSCO, and the
Barbican Centre, in addition to our longstanding
relationship with the LA Phil.

This book was written using our trademarked

BookInAnHour process. Like everything we do, it’s
Bespoke and Accelerated (that’s what the B+A stand
for), to ensure maximum engagement, creativity,
forward momentum, and usefulness.

We’ve loved being part of the process, working with

YOLA and the LA Phil Learning team again. We can’t
wait to hear stories of how you’ve used this book,
so don’t hesitate to contact us anytime.

All the best,

Adesuwa Osewa and Andrew Missingham

projects@bandaequals.com
Cover illustration: Music-powered super-me

This book was written in 3 days by teaching and student

artists taking part in the the YOLA Symposium, 2019