Two music education seniors in the Michigan State University College of Music transformed a volunteer activity into an award-winning proposal for a sustainable program between the MSU Community Music School and the Lansing Refugee Development Center.

The Mobile Music Making program created by seniors Maria Schoon and Lizabeth Desmet took top prize in the College’s 2022 Running Start Competition. The two pitched a proposal to bring early childhood music classes that foster English language skills to communities supported through the RDC. The concept resonated with competition judges, resulting in a cash award of $2,500 to support their vision.

“We very intentionally collaborated with the MSU Community Music School throughout this process so they can continue the partnership with RDC once we graduate,” said Schoon, who studies music education and voice.

Schoon and Desmet’s idea was built from what they developed during their volunteer and education-related fieldwork work with the RDC and other teaching experiences in East Lansing. By collaborating with CMS, the two jumpstarted the potential for a lasting relationship between the university and RDC community. 

“The idea is to continue holding early childhood music classes at their facilities,” Desmet said, who studies music education and flute. “Maria and I were familiar with the English language learning programs the RDC offered, and thought music classes would be a great way for families to build their language skills by engaging with music.”

Entrepreneurial activism

Christine Beamer is special assistant to the dean for strategic initiatives in the College of Music. She directs career services and music entrepreneurship, and she coordinates the Running Start program and competition which has supported entrepreneurial projects, study and career opportunity since 2012. She said Schoon and Desmet’s entry was representative of the awareness and activism related to diversity, equity and inclusion that she saw across recent proposals.

“Our students are committed to developing programs and inventions that will help address issues of equity in their local and global communities,” said Beamer. “We also saw a strong focus on mental health awareness this year.”

Fourteen proposals were submitted to the competition that gives College of Music students the chance to design a project or business that features creative content, follows a unique model or approach, reaches a new audience, or does something better in the world of music. Of those proposals, eight finalists were selected to pitch their idea to a panel of judges and compete for awards of up to $2,500.

Beamer said students from a diverse range of majors and areas participated in the 2022 competition, including piano, voice, music education, woodwinds, conducting and jazz. Three of the eight groups consisted solely of undergraduate students—including this year’s top prize winners.

Beamer said Schoon and Desmet’s project stood out for their unique take on sustainability. Rather than graduating and re-launching their project elsewhere, the two devised a program that could be maintained by the Community Music School, and perpetuate opportunities for future music education students.

“Their idea demonstrates how entrepreneurship is about so much more than making money,” said Beamer. “It’s about sustainable interventions that match real community needs with skills and expertise.”

Creating a legacy

Schoon and Desmet started trial classes at the RDC in Spring 2022, with plans to offer courses throughout the summer. Onsite classes at the center, they say, remove transportation and cost barriers to refugee families.

The courses draw from principals the two learned and applied through music teacher education coursework, as well as from internships that involved assisting with early childhood music courses at CMS. Assistant Professor of Music Education Karen Salvador directs early childhood music programs at CMS and mentored Schoon and Desmet. She encouraged them to explore additional field experiences, including those at non-profits like the RDC.

“Maria and Lizabeth take initiative and have the courage to follow-through,” said Salvador. “They each have strong music leadership abilities, excellent theoretical understanding of how to design child-centered music interactions, and the playfulness to engage with children’s families in the moment.”

Schoon said her original experience volunteering with RDC focused on providing childcare. In time, she saw the need for more structured activities during fun and play time. Desmet was also volunteering, and they came upon the idea to introduce a once-a-week session similar to the early childhood music class at CMS.

“Our biggest goal was to provide musical exploration and enjoyment,” said Schoon. “The setting was informal and fun and modeled how to play and explore with music.”

Desmet explained, too, how the music could enhance English language skills by introducing nouns, verbs and simple vocabulary focused on real-world activities.

“We have them imagine planting a garden, for instance, while singing in various tonalities,” Desmet said. “All throughout the class, we’re moving, using props and musical toys, and engaging in songs and chants. We begin each class with a hello song and end with a goodbye song, too.”

Schoon said the grant from Running Start will allow her and Desmet to refresh and build their toolbox of props. Scarfs, bean bags and egg shakers are among the props that encourage or illustrate musical concepts. Hand puppets, too, prompt singing and play. Books are key to building vocabulary.

Most important, Schoon and Desmet said the grant will help them sustain a partnership between CMS and RDC. It’s a legacy they can leave, they say, for future students like them, looking for an opportunity to teach, gain experience, and make a difference in the lives of children and adults through music.

Salvador remarked that she is exceptionally pleased that Schoon and Desmet sought out the grant to build a partnership with RDC. 

“It’s a testament to their thoughtfulness that they talked with me about their proposal and how they could make sure the music interactions they began at RDC could be sustainable,” she said. “While they both will student teach in the fall and aren’t sure what their futures hold, their leadership on this program ensures CMS and RDC can continue music engagements with refugee children and families.”
 

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Full results

In early February 2022, College of Music students pitched their concepts to a panel of five judges, a live audience, and to the public via Livestream. In addition to the grand prize going to Maria Schoon and Lizabeth Desmet, the event featured seven other presentations from student entrepreneurs. 

These eight presenters advanced from the first round to the Live Pitch event of the Running Start Competition, and each earned cash awards to help move their projects forward. Support from the MSU Federal Credit Union and College of Music donors made it all possible, and the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship provides mentorship of winners. Other project winners include:  
 

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$1,000 Prize Winner

Jeremiah Flack (Undergraduate, jazz studies, trumpet)

Oasis, a short film that tackles the issue of mental health with young adult musicians, premiering at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum





 

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$1,000 Prize Winner

Mary Grace Ellerbee (Masters, collaborative piano)

Gumbo de Musique, a commission of Cajun French art songs for voice and piano to contribute to the broader revitalization movement of the Cajun French language



 

 

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$1,000 Prize Winner

Emmet Harris (Masters, saxophone)

The Musician’s Handbook: An online resource for musicians’ health and wellness






 

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$500 Prize Winner

Asieh Mahyar (Doctoral candidate, orchestral conducting)

Persia, a Splendorous Music Journey, a concert kicking off a classical music series featuring composers from Persia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan
 

 

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$500 Prize Winner

Christine So (Undergraduate, oboe)

Breaking Apart the Classical Music Industry: A Virtual DEI workshop series




 

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$500 Prize Winner

GeDeane Graham (Doctoral candidate, voice)

Perennial: It is still happening, a commission project to showcase Black music beyond jazz, gospel and hip-hop as an ever-evolving art




 

 

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$500 Prize Winner

Tina Gorter (Doctoral candidate, collaborative piano)

Collaborative Piano Program at Kalamazoo Music School, a new course of study for high school piano students



 

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People’s Choice Award

Maria Schoon and Lizabeth Desmet (Undergraduates, music education)

Mobile Music Making program