There is only one ME. #MEproject
Music undeniably moves us.It may move us to dance, to think, to express, to release, to serve, to act. If we are empowered, music can enable us to move in a way that betters our world.
Since my time in Guatemala over the Christmas/New Year holiday 2012-2013 with my nephew-turned-son in tow, I knew the magic that happened for Daniel and for the middle school and high school students on the expedition could and SHOULD be replicated. HOW to replicate it in a different way that tied in my personal skills, talents, and passions was the big question. After more than a year working with great minds in the business world and the music industry including GA 2013 Producer of the Year John Briglevich, the brilliant financial mind of Frank Lake of Cox Enterprises, the collegiate expertise of Michael Deis, international traveler and interim Dean of the School of Business for Clayton State University (home of Spivey Hall), the input of GRAMMY winning engineers, musicians, Rotarians and humanitarians, and tremendous legal council from a fellow musician and esteemed lawyer from Georgia Lawyers for the Arts, I am humbled to announce the launch of The Music Empowerment Project (ME Project).
This is a summary of the ME Project's teaching pilot:
At HOPE Middle School (Instituto Esperanza HOI), music integrated the previously self-gender-segregated students to the point the boys and girls danced side-by-side to songs from Justin Timberlake, Shakira and Pit Bull. These 7th, 8th, and 9th grade youth in rural Honduras are full of life, intelligence, and ambition. They are fortunate to have the opportunity to attend the most well renowned school in the Agalta Valley. This school is run and funded by the international non-profit HOI (formerly Honduran Outreach Inc.).
During this trip to Honduras, our teaching pilot, we partnered with HOI to provide a music program for this well run school to further engage the students while in school. To further inspire students to continue on to high school. To break down the mental barriers we humans put in our minds that tell us “we can’t”.
What is a music program without dance class?
While taking a first look at the children this school serves, one might see the students’ neatly kept uniforms and assume these are the more privileged students in the community. However, once you visit a student’s home, you may wonder:
“how is it possible for these youth to keep their white and khaki uniforms so clean when they sleep on dirt floors and wash clothes in stone built basins outside?”
Typical Honduran student home
Lead Instructor David Lopez shares the quote of the day. “There is Only One Me”
These students want to learn. Their parents want to support them. The US donors who cover their scholarships believe that when basic education is afforded to eager minds, knowledge is planted and opportunities bloom. When students are engaged and motivated, they will their uniforms clean. It is a symbol of their family’s monetary and intangible sacrifices that enable their minds to be empowered.
The ME Project’s pilot program was headed by Lizzy Vincent (Founder) and David Lopez (Lead Instructor). For one week, David’s lessons focused on music basics: origins, feelings evoked, rhythms maintained, movement created, and the importance of unity.
In addition to these basics, a daily quote was taught to every 7th and 8th grade student in English and in Spanish to reinforce the importance of individual worth and personal inspiration.
Program quotes: There is Only One Me. Music Inspires Me. My Dreams Can Become Reality.
Many guests sat in to view the program in action including HOI’s President Laurie Willing, HAVE Foundation’s Bob Hope, many international Rotary Club leaders, and legendary UGA football coach Vince Dooley.
Drumming outdoors while classmates work on rhythmic dance inside.
After a week with beautiful accommodations at the HOI ranch, satiating food, enthusiastic support from HOI teachers, and countless one-one-one touching moments with students eager to be involved with the music program, we knew we would absolutely return to work with the children at Hope Middle School again.
Concluding the week, the ME Project visited the Honduran branch of the Covenant House (learn about Covenant House), Casa Alianza, serving homeless youth in the capital city Tegucigalpa. We were asked to become part of the Covenant House’s efforts in Honduras and are working on integrating a service component to future ME Programs to serve these at-risk youth. In combination with our conversations with Rotary International to cross-support each other’s efforts, we deem the pilot program a success and look forward to providing support and resources for at-risk youth in Honduras and in many more locations to come.
We plan to return to Honduras Saturday 6/28-Sunday 7/6 with a handful of high school students and recent high school graduates to focus on drums, piano, and vocals in the class and to provide cross-cultural learning for the volunteers in the evenings. This student pilot will help develop a two-month teaching program that can be launched abroad in 2015.
Will you get involved? We need volunteers, social fundraising advocates, and supplies.NOW ENROLLING STUDENT PILOT: 6/28-7/6
There is Only Me: Music Empowers
HOPE Middle’s Principal joins one of the four ME Project music classes.
For some behind the scenes candids, check out the photos that follow. Working with Lee Coleman (director of photography and videographer) capturing documentary footage was "super-fun". There were times I was so drained after a adrenaline-filled day that I just didn't want to be interviewed; rather, I merely wanted to rest in a hammock at the ranch.
At the end of the trip, hearing Lee's last words:
"I thought I was just getting an all-expense paid trip to a Central American country. I didn't expect to be so moved, so touched, and so inspired. I will be back whether shooting video or as a volunteer."
...reminded me all over again. This is right. This is where I was meant to devote my God-given talents and brains.
Let's inspire. Let's move people. Let's empower through music. www.MEproject.org
Lizzy Vincent providing an end of day class recap.
David Lopez providing an end of day class recap.
