Los Angeles, CA – On January 8–9, Education Through Music–Los Angeles (ETM-LA) welcomed music teachers and local educators from across Los Angeles County for its two-day Winter Academy. The Academy provided an opportunity for educators to reflect, reset, and strengthen their practice mid-year through focused learning experiences centered on classroom culture, instructional strategy, student engagement, and whole-child music education. Teachers and staff came together with a shared commitment to growth, collaboration, and excellence in music education.
Across two days of learning, the Winter Academy offered a robust schedule of interactive sessions, hands-on labs, and collaborative workshops led by ETM-LA’s experienced program staff and guest partners. Educators participated in sessions such as A Fresh Start: Rebooting Your Music Classroom in January; Teaching the Whole Musician: Culturally Responsive & SEL-Based Strategies for TK–8 Classrooms; Play, Create, Explore: An Orff Schulwerk Hands-On Lab Experience; Swing into Learning: Teaching Jazz in Your Ensemble; and BandLab Basics: A Lab-Based Approach to Teaching Music Technology. Additional sessions explored literacy integration, early childhood pedagogy, and instrumental and ensemble instruction, ensuring educators at every level had opportunities to deepen their skills and refine their approach as they entered the spring semester.
Time was also intentionally built in for networking, reflection, and community-building, allowing educators to learn from one another and strengthen the relationships that support effective teaching. One participant shared, “Such a great teacher—I learned from how he taught the class as much as what he taught in the class.” Another reflected, “The biggest takeaway is to connect with your students. Build a relationship with them and get to know them to create a safe environment.” A third attendee expressed appreciation for the learning environment, noting: “Thank you for making the room a safe space to ask questions!”
ETM-LA looks ahead with excitement as educators bring renewed energy, practical tools, and fresh ideas back to their classrooms—strengthening music education experiences for students across the county.
Grounded in its ongoing commitment to equity and student well-being, ETM-LA continues to center Cultural Equity and Inclusion (CEI), Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT), and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) throughout all professional learning opportunities. Learn more about our training programs by signing up for our newsletter.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Katie Moskovciak
Phone: (818) 433-7600
Email: press@etmla.org
Website: www.etmla.org
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Education Through Music-Los Angeles is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to provide and promote music in under-resourced schools as part of the core curriculum for every child in order to enhance students’ academic achievement, creativity, and overall development.
For more information: www.etmla.org