Teaching to Change by Margaret

Teaching to Change by Margaret - October 2016 Scholarship Essay

If the roles were reversed and I could be the teacher, I would teach music. For as long as I can remember, music has been a huge part of my life, taking up most of my time and energy but also making me much happier than anything else I have done. I began playing the fiddle at the age of 6, and that is truly when my passion began. Passion may not be the right word, but obsession. Spending the last 11 years of my life on the fiddle has given me a very unique sense of the world around me and has presented me with many life changing opportunities. I have been fortunate enough to travel around the country, learning new styles of music. It was on these adventures that I have been able to meet some of the people who have become my best friends, bonding with them through our shared interest and common musical language. My favorite part of playing was just jamming with others, letting the notes flow out of us to create something beautiful. Of course I did like practicing too. Through music I have had many mentors that have showed me the way and given me a voice through my instrument. As a child with not much to say and not many who would listen, I found my voice through my fiddle and from the moment my bow touched the strings, my voice could not be extinguished.
As the music teacher, this is what I would strive to give to my students. I would give them the tools to learn, while letting music inspire change all on its own. Teachers have the power to influence children, and it would be my job to do it in the right way. I want to create that obsession in others and give them something that will last forever. Learning other styles would give them a chance to see the world through other's eyes and that is an opportunity that can't be missed. I want to be like the mentors I had, making a lasting impact and giving them a chance to create something wondrous.
Music can change people's views and opinions and can change lives, and I believe that is one of the most undistinguishable things in the world. Being a part of something that amazing is the main reason I would teach music. Of course there are other reasons; the love of playing, using my passion to make a living,etc. But mostly, I want to change lives, and I believe only music can truly do that.