“All of us in the academy and in the culture as a whole are called to renew our minds if we are to transform educational institutions – and society – so that the way we live, teach, and work can reflect our joy in cultural diversity, our passion for justice, and our love of freedom.”

– bell hooks

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At Modern Marimba, we are passionate about building strong, supportive relationships with our local schools and community partners. We believe every student—regardless of their family’s income, background, or circumstances—deserves meaningful access to music education. That means not only providing opportunities for young people to learn and grow, but also supporting educators and teaching artists with resources that nurture listening skills, creativity, collaboration, empathy, and confidence.

We recognize that working-class and economically disadvantaged families often face barriers to music education, such as the high cost of instruments, lessons, or participation fees. That’s why we are committed to offering programs, materials, and community partnerships that reduce financial obstacles and ensure students from all walks of life can fully participate.

Modern Marimba honors the diverse knowledge and lived experiences that challenge the traditional dominance of Western European American music, narratives, and practices. Our work embraces a wide range of cultural traditions, sound worlds, and ways of knowing—reflecting the communities we serve and expanding what music education can be.

We approach this work with humility and care, supporting music education that makes space for marginalized voices, stories, and practices. By fostering open dialogue, we invite educators to co-create inclusive classrooms where students feel seen, valued, and empowered to bring their whole selves into the music-making process.

Through professional development, shared resources, and collaborative workshops, we partner with music educators to implement practices that center the voices and experiences of marginalized communities who have historically been excluded from equal opportunities in the arts, including:

• BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color)
• LGBTQ2IA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, two-spirit, intersex, asexual, femme, and all the evolving identities of being Queer and Genderqueer)
• People with disabilities
• People from working class and poor backgrounds
• Women (trans, nonbinary, and cisgender)

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Where should I start?

1. Begin with self-reflection. Take time to reflect on our own biases and privileges—we all have them. This self-awareness helps us recognize blind spots and opens the door to more inclusive approaches to teaching, especially for students and families who face systemic barriers due to race, gender, class, disability, or poverty.
   
   
2. Check in with yourself regularly. Take the Harvard Implicit Bias Tests every six months (or at least once a year) to deepen your understanding of hidden biases and how they may impact the way you teach and interact with students.
   
   
3. Schedule an Educational Performance with Us! Reach out to Modern Marimba to schedule a performance—available both in person and virtually. Our exceptional teaching artists are ready to share music with your students in schools or online through Zoom. Best of all, these performances can be offered at no cost to you, thanks to grant funding from the Music Performance Trust Fund, which we will apply for on your behalf.
   
   Virtual clinics are especially flexible and accessible, giving students the benefit of live, interactive feedback without the barriers of travel costs or scheduling challenges. Whether in the classroom or online, we create engaging, supportive learning experiences that meet students where they are—making high-quality music education accessible to all.
   
   
4. Request a Care Package! At Modern Marimba, we know that access to quality music materials isn’t always easy—especially in schools and communities with limited resources. That’s why we’re happy to send a care package directly to you or your classroom. Each package may include mallets, sheet music, and practical teaching resources designed to support your students’ creativity and confidence. Whenever possible, we also add small items of encouragement—because every student deserves to feel seen, supported, and inspired in their music-making journey.
   
   
5. Explore other local connections. Visit our LinkTr.ee to access community-based resources in Sarasota, including those that help reduce financial and social barriers to music education.
   
   
6. Use anti-racism resources. Start with Anti-Racism Resources for Music Educators to challenge dominant narratives and actively bring forward music, traditions, and voices often excluded—particularly those from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Disabled, working-class, and poor communities.
   
   
7. Build solidarity with peers. Are you on Facebook? Join the Social Justice Music Educators group to connect with colleagues who share a commitment to equity, inclusivity, and dismantling class- and race-based barriers in the arts.
   
   
8. Practice repair through community. When harm occurs, look to restorative justice practices for guidance on how to rebuild trust and accountability. Amplify RJ offers resources to help educators approach repair with humility, centering the voices of those most impacted—including students and families from marginalized and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
   
   
9. Book a Free Consultation or Discussion with Us! Everyone deserves the tools to teach music in ways that celebrate diversity, inclusion, and equity. By approaching music education through these lenses, students can see themselves and their communities reflected in the music they study. From this foundation, infinite possibilities arise—to foster deeper connections, spark creativity, and build lasting confidence through music.