On April 19, 2024, Education Through Music-LA welcomed renowned Violinist Susan Chatman (Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Adele, American Idol, The Grammys, The Lion King, The Color Purple, Wicked) to ETM-LA partner school Providencia Elementary.

Chatman met with and engaged the String Orchestra in music playing and recording and also offered insight into the music industry. Chatman gave feedback to the group on their concert repertoire and how to blend as an ensemble. To help illustrate “feeling the beat,” students got to play and record along with a prepared track. They were delighted listening back to what they just created.

Spanning decades as a professional artist, Chatman shared her experiences working in the recording studio and on stage. A student asked what it was like performing with legends like James Brown and Stevie Wonder. Chatman shared how working alongside Brown and Wonder was a true honor and provided____. She recounted having a post-concert dinner with Wonder in which he was composing a song while simultaneously holding a conversation!

Students excitedly shared their highlights of the visit, among them: “learning about the music recording experience” and listening to Chatman’s “beautiful” and “sweet” violin playing.

We extend our gratitude to Susan Chatman for graciously sharing her time, talent, and wisdom with our students. This special visit not only enriched our understanding of the arts but also reinforced the importance of quality music education.

ETM-LA connected with Chatman after the visit, in which she shared more about her background and reflected on the tremendous impact of music education on her life:

Tell us about yourself and how you got into music?

I grew up on the South Side of Chicago. One day in 1st or 2nd grade, a woman came to our classroom and played the violin. I loved the sound! So I told Mom I wanted to play the violin. I hated practicing, but I loved the results. I listened to R&B/Soul music, so when I heard the strings behind Motown, Barry White, and disco… that’s what I wanted to do. I was fortunate to have come to L.A., and in time I reached my goal of playing behind popular artists in all genres of music.

How did music education impact you as a child?

Music education as a child gave me opportunities I wouldn’t have had. I was in the City Wide Youth Orchestra performing at major venues, which was very exciting. I was able to go to a high school outside my area where I could major in music. I had so many more opportunities to be creative. Instead of writing a paper, the teacher let me and another student write a song. So when I got older, that’s what I knew best: playing the violin and creating music.

Why is music education so important for every child?

Music education is important for every child because it opens the creative mind, expression, imagination, concentration, and meticulous execution, all of which are beneficial in so many ways. Science research, mathematical formulas, playing a game, programming on a computer… all take being creative, which music promotes. Plus, it’s fun!!!