About our programs
MeMA-Music is founded on the belief that high-quality, arts-integrated programs can boost engagement and participation, amplify youth voice, support personal growth, and promote a shared vision of success rooted in creativity, connection, and purpose. At MeMA-Music, we value the collaborative role we play in supporting our partners and educators. Together, we deliver high-quality arts-integrated residencies and workshops that provide equitable educational opportunities.
Product Quality Index
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PROGRAM BENEFITS
- Relevant to young people’s lives, experiences, and identity
- Empowers youth to become active, informed citizens
- Strengthens participants’ critical thinking, reading, and writing skills
- Teaches the value of collaboration and shared purpose
- Prepares youth for real-world challenges in life and work
- Builds confidence and supports positive self-esteem
- Sparks creativity and innovative thinking
- Motivates participants to engage with the world around them
Music with Meaning. Learning with Purpose.
Our arts-integrated residencies use conscious music with powerful lyrics to teach historical awareness, civics, literacy, society, and social-emotional learning. Through music, art, storytelling, and culture, we help young people explore the world around them—and within them—as they learn to use creative expression as a tool for reflection, communication, and meaningful change.
At the end of each program, we proudly present a dynamic culminating event that showcases each participant’s artistic achievements. These final projects are rooted in personal exploration and the knowledge and skills developed throughout the residency. Whether through digital media, creative writing, visual art, songwriting, or live performance, each piece reflects the voices, experiences, and growth of the youth we serve.
MeMA-Music provides professional music, technology, art, and video production mentors to assist with their projects. Additionally, songwriters from the community share their experiences and knowledge with our youth.
Testimonials
Thanks again for having us at your last period class. I really enjoyed being an 8th grader in your program. I am positive that the 8th graders will be excited when they start their own projects. I can’t thank you nor stress enough how helpful this class has been in my first year in high school. While all the other freshman were having trouble understanding the new open discussions we were having in class and making connections to real life events, I was already a pro!!!
My favorite part of this program was that it helped me more understand society and we have to make more of a difference in certain topics. I learned new things in my topic that I didn’t know before and learned new things in everyone else’s.
What I found helpful was that before we began the project we were exposed to different social injustices and encouraged to find some of our own. This truly made things easy because this make things personal. I see the MeMA project as a chance to say something that is worth something
The most important part of mema was learning about what other cultures went through. Not just learning about history, but giving us more detail about things we normally wouldn’t talk about in class. The most interesting part for me was when we learned about President Nixon and he lied about the Vietnam War.
When we watch videos about social justice, I learn that in the past it was a hard time, I didn’t know that black and white are not together and they have to go to separated school
Before I started this program all I knew about civil rights movement was the basics, like white & black being separated, and who MLK was. But the program told us stories I didn’t know. For example, I didn’t know that blacks were beaten up in a white restaurant if they ate there. Overall, I’ve noticed a change in myself. This year I’m planning on attending marches. I want to go to pride fest to show my support
I loved hearing my students with diverse learning needs singing lyrics to songs that were popular decades before they were born, and understand why those songs are relevant today.
MeMA is a particular draw to kids because of the music, and freedom that allows them to be creative; they can express their own viewpoints, they can research history to find out why things have happened over time and what changes have come about in society. I love seeing all the different projects and what students are able to create, and I can really see the growth in them and what interests are going to lead them for the future.
The MeMA-Music Program at Langford was awesome! The program raised our students’ consciousness regarding social justice issues and afforded them the opportunity to use music to impact their lives and to have their voices heard.
The program just keeps getting better! As last time, the students’ projects were amazing. But now, the breadth of topics addressed, the varied formats used, the honesty, the creativity—nothing short of remarkable. I’m so impressed by how well the curriculum helps students experience– not just learn– history, how it fosters critical thinking and analysis, respects their individuality, and encourages creative expression.
Charlie has been very interested in current events this year, and now we see why. He has grown so much in a social awareness kind of way, that we want to thank you for what you have helped to develop. It is projects like yours that help students express their complex thoughts and intimate concerns. To share those feelings with their classmates is so incredibly healthy, it was a joy to witness. They don’t know it yet, but their new found awareness, and the ability to share their feelings with others, will be assets to them in the years to come. Thank you MeMA-Music for your vision and your creative spirit. And, for shining a beautiful light on our little bundles of joy.
Thank you, for the work you do with the kids, trying to make this world a better place, song by song, young person by young person. Music has the ability to get to–and move our hearts and souls. Deciphering & analyzing the lyrics that go to those notes and rhythms and developing young students’ critical thinking skills are invaluable tools you are passing along to these young people.
