Welcome To MeMA Music
Empowering Students to Explore History, Strengthen Literacy, Understand Society, and Discover Their Voice Through the Power of Music
MeMA-Music offers art residency programs for middle and high school students that creatively integrate the transformative power of music into academic learning. Our lessons and activities help students enhance their literacy, history, technology, civics, and social-emotional learning skills and foster a deeper understanding of the world around us in a safe and welcoming environment. Students investigate the world, think critically, and express ideas through art, music, and multimedia to communicate messages that matter most to them. They express their ideas in ways that unite people, focusing on themes promoting community-building and a brighter future.
Real-Life Learning
Our programs help students connect their school learning to real life, equipping them with skills to be informed members of society. We prioritize understanding the historical context of the world, using music from different eras as a teaching tool. By exploring the sounds and stories of the past, students gain insight into historical events, cultural shifts, and the voices that challenged or reflected the times. This approach not only deepens their understanding but also keeps them engaged in their learning.
Student Voice
Students are allowed to express themselves and actively participate in their learning through MeMA-Music. Our programs value all students’ diverse perspectives and backgrounds, promoting open and respectful dialogue. The “Messages of Change” project empowers students to create messages that reflect their vision for a better world. Students take ownership of their learning by researching and presenting their findings creatively. MeMA-Music provides a safe and holistic environment for students to develop civic and social awareness.
Arts Integration
MeMA-Music’s programs strategically connect content and develop skills across multiple subject areas, including literacy, social sciences, technology, civics, art, social-emotional learning, and music. Students create their final projects using an array of media, including film, visual art, multimedia, creative writing, poetry, rap, spoken word, stories, dramatic skits, and live performances, to convey their ideas and aspirations for a brighter future. Research shows bringing the arts into core curricula raises student achievement and improves student engagement.
Our programs engage students
creatively, socially, and cognitively
- Lessons are relevant to students’ lives and identity
- Empowers students to be active citizens
- Strengthens students’ critical thinking, reading, and writing skills
- Teaches students the strength of working together
- Prepares students for life and work
- Promotes confidence and builds self-esteem
- Nurtures students’ creativity
- Motivates students to learn about what’s going on in their world
Jeanne Warsaw and Janet Jackson
Meet Our Founder
A Trailblazer in the music industry, Jeanne Warsaw, a Chicago native, has over 25 years of experience. She has championed renowned recording artists such as Janet Jackson, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Isaac Hayes, Lenny Kravitz, and many more. Her journey in the music industry began with the iconic Chicago retail chain Rose Records, where she served as a buyer. Her career trajectory soared as she assumed the role of Radio Promotion Assistant for Sony Records in New York. Since then, she has been unwavering in her dedication to the music business. Among her notable achievements, Jeanne has been Executive Promotion & Marketing Director for Sony Music, RCA, Elektra/Warner Bros., and Virgin Records. She also founded her own consulting company, JW Promotions. Jeanne’s career experience in the music business provides her with unique insight into the world of popular music and how music can be a voice for change.
After leaving the music industry, Jeanne embarked on a new mission to empower students from diverse backgrounds. She aims to teach them how to utilize the arts to spread positive messages of change and become advocates for themselves and their future. For 13 years, her non-profit organization, MeMA-Music, Inc., has been a beacon of success, providing education and mentorship to students in Chicago public and private schools and community centers.
