Summer Professional Development Course
June 29 - July 3, 2022 in Tijuana, BC
Empowering Song
Empowering Song is an approach to musicking that centers the collective wisdom and freedom dreaming of our communities. Developed by André de Quadros over nearly seven years while teaching in two Massachusetts prisons and extended by Emilie Amrein and de Quadros in refugee shelters at the Mexico-US border, this is an approach to musicking that is rooted in decolonial and decarceral thinking, is trans- and interdisciplinary, and is fundamentally political.
Professional Development Workshop
This workshop, designed for music teachers, community musicians, choral conductors, and other arts professionals, focuses on the Empowering Song approach which centers movement, bodywork, improvisation, and storytelling as vital aspects of being human. In this workshop, participants will work to develop creative approaches to democratic musical leadership, and consider Empowering Song in the family of progressive and imaginative modes, paradigms, and processes of music education. Additional opportunities for hands on implementation of this approach will be provided in sessions with community partners.
Facilitators
André de Quadros is Professor of Music and former Chair of the Music Education Department at Boston University, where he holds affiliations in African, Asian, and Muslim studies, and prison education. Emilie Amrein is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at the University of San Diego where she conducts the USD Choral Scholars and teaches courses on the intersection of music and social justice movements, community music, and changemaking. André and Emilie are the co-directors of Common Ground Voices / La Frontera and are the authors of the forthcoming text, Empowering Song: Music Education from the Margins.
Tuition and Fees
The fees for this program vary according to three country groups, based on the United Nations' Human Development Index and range from $100-300 USD per person (see full schedule on the application). Three units of graduate credit from the University of San Diego are available for an additional $237 USD. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for system impacted and migrant participants, as well as for direct care providers working in the field of displacement. In the event that the workshop is canceled by the organizers, all program fees will be refunded. Otherwise, program fees are due on June 5, 2022 and are non-refundable. Participants are responsible for all additional expenses, including accommodations, food, and ground transportation.
Daily Schedule
This is a immersive, experiential workshop. We will have 8 hours of instruction each day, typically from 10:00-12:30, 2:30-5:00, and 7:00-10:00. You should arrange your travel to arrive in Tijuana no later than Tuesday evening, June 28 and to depart no earlier than Monday morning, July 4. The morning and afternoon sessions will be held at CEART and CAM in Tijuana, while the evening sessions will take place in the community. This course will be delivered in English. Facility with Spanish, French, or Kreyol would be very helpful, but is not required.
Application Process
You can apply to participate in this program here. The initial application period will be from May 1 until we reach our minimum capacity of 10 participants. Once we've reached this enrollment minimum, we will extend the application period for rolling admission until June 15. In order to protect our community partners, applicants will be required to complete an online course in safety and sign a confidentiality pledge as part of the application process. Additionally, applicants will need to sign a liability waiver and a photo release. There will be a required orientation meeting that will be held over zoom on Sunday, June 26 at 5pm Pacific time.
