“The arts significantly boost student achievement, reduce discipline problems, and increase the odds students will go on to graduate from college. As First Lady Michelle

“The arts are central to who we are as a people, and they are central to the success of our kids. This is not an

“In the push for quality math, science, technical, humanities, and other programs, please be sure that the arts are not ignored or pushed to one

“Teens indicate making music provides the freedom for teens to just be themselves; to be different; to be something they thought they could never be;

With music in schools, students connect to each other better – greater camaraderie, fewer fights, less racism and reduced use of hurtful sarcasm. ~ Jensen,

“The arts are an essential element of education, just like reading, writing, and arithmetic…music, dance, painting, and theater are all keys that unlock profound human

“Arts education aids students in skills needed in the workplace: flexibility, the ability to solve problems and communicate, the ability to learn new skills, to

“The rapidly evolving global economy demands a dynamic and creative workforce. The arts and its related businesses are responsible for billions of dollars in cultural

“Students of all ages – that includes adults – generally find that music helps them focus more clearly on the task at hand and puts

Research indicates the brain of a musician, even a young one, works differently than that of a nonmusician. “There’s some good neuroscience research that children

The cognitive structures developed through music instruction “exposed and illuminated more general organizing structures relevant for multiple disciplines.” ~ Portowitz,P., Lichtenstein, O., Egorova, L., &