Pursuing Your Dream in Music Education

Today, I received an email from a young man who is a senior in high school planning to study music education in college with a dream that "one day music education will be openly be available to people all around the world". He goes on to reflect on how studying music helped him and he outlined his life's mission to provide access to those who would otherwise not have it. He ended the letter asking for advice about the "right way to go about starting to achieve my dream" and I replied with the following:

"Thank you for your message and for sharing your passion for music education. It’s inspiring to hear about your commitment to making music accessible to all, and I have no doubt that with your dedication, you will make a significant impact. You are absolutely right—music has the power to transform lives, build communities, and provide opportunities where they may not have otherwise existed. The work you hope to do is critically important, and I commend you for setting such an ambitious and meaningful goal.

There is no single "right" way to pursue this mission, but I can offer a few thoughts based on my own journey:

1. Start Now. While pursuing higher education is a valuable path, you don’t have to wait to begin making a difference. Volunteer at community music programs, start an initiative at your school, or mentor younger students. Real change happens through direct engagement.

2. Learn from Many Perspectives. Seek out experiences beyond the traditional classroom setting—engage with music programs in different communities, learn about policy and advocacy, and explore how organizations address accessibility. Your vision will become clearer as you see different models in action.

3. Build Relationships. The most effective leaders in music education don’t work alone. Connect with educators, administrators, and musicians who share your passion. Surround yourself with mentors and peers who can help refine your ideas and open doors to new opportunities.

4. Think Big, But Stay Flexible. The field of music education is constantly evolving. Your dream will take shape in ways you may not yet foresee, so stay open to different pathways—whether it’s teaching, running a nonprofit, influencing policy, or something entirely new.

5. Keep Your "Why" at the Center. Your belief in music as a universal language and your desire to provide comfort and belonging to others are the heart of your mission. No matter how you choose to move forward, stay rooted in that purpose—it will guide you through challenges and decisions along the way."

I truly appreciate meeting these types of students, which reminds me of myself as I was seeking purpose in music outside of being a talented trumpeter. I am excited to see what he will accomplish and receiving updates about his journey.

For everyone: Keep asking questions, keep dreaming big, and most importantly, keep taking action. The world needs passionate leaders to ensure that music is accessible to all.