J Dilla Music Tech Teaching Workshop for K-12 educators returns for third straight year to Wayne State University
After a successful two-day intensive program in 2023, the J Dilla Music Tech Teaching Workshop returns for its third consecutive summer to Wayne State University’s campus with a multi-day experience for Michigan K-12 educators.
Held July 10-12, this collaborative project between WSU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts and Save The Music Foundation shares the goal of supporting public school teachers in new and innovative ways of teaching music in the classroom, inspired by the late musician, songwriter and influential producer J Dilla.
"I'm in constant awe by the deep impact this workshop has on our community's music educators," said College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Stephanie Hartwell. "This program ensures that Detroit's unique sound will continue to inspire and shape the next generation of talent."
Ma Dukes (center), mother of legendary hip-hop producer J Dilla, listens as Wayne State University's Michael Shellabarger, assistant professor of music technology, speaks with the 2023 J Dilla Music Tech Teaching Workshop participants.
Teachers from public school districts in the metro Detroit area will receive an introduction to modern music production pedagogy, led by WSU Department of Music faculty, and use software and equipment in the J Dilla Music Tech Grant.
Developed in partnership with Pharrell Williams’ creative collective, i am OTHER, supported by Ma Dukes, and named after her son, legendary hip hop producer J Dilla, the STM J Dilla Music Technology Grant delivers the future of music education through innovative tech tools and curriculum to bring out students’ inner creativity, talent, and confidence by teaching the fundamentals of electronic music creation, recording, and production.
In addition, the two-day workshop also includes activities outside of the classroom such as a trip to the Motown Museum, a welcome reception, and a roundtable discussion with prominent Detroit music industry professionals and artists.
“We are thrilled to be back in the heart of Detroit partnering with Wayne State to connect K-12 teachers to the legacy and artistry of J Dilla,” said Save The Music Executive Director Henry Donahue. “This is our third summer of the Music Tech Teachers Workshop and teacher participation has grown significantly each year. That means even more young creators will be making their own new contributions this coming fall to Detroit’s rich music history.”
For the third year in a row, teachers from public school districts in the metro Detroit area will receive an introduction to modern music production pedagogy, led by Wayne State University Department of Music faculty, and use software and equipment in the J Dilla Music Tech Grant.
Coinciding with the two-day workshop is a thoughtfully curated exhibition, titled “I Got Beats in These Fingertips,” held at Wayne State’s Elaine L. Jacob Gallery. An opening reception will take place on July 12, the final day of the workshop, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., with a performance at 6:30 p.m. by Detroit Poet Laureate jessica Care moore and King Moore. The exhibition, which runs until Sept. 20, celebrates two uncompromising innovators of contemporary hip-hop music — James Yancey (J Dilla) of Detroit and Robert Earl Davis, Jr. (DJ Screw) of Houston.
“Detroit is a city of makers and a city of arts and culture, where its core identity is rooted in innovation and creativity,” said College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts Dean Hasan Elahi. “Whether that is in the recordings from Motown and United Sound Systems — both around the corner from campus — to hip-hop, techno, jazz, gospel, punk, rock and roll, or any other genre rooted in American culture — it all comes back to Detroit. We are honored to be able to continue the memory of J Dilla with this collaboration to provide music education for those inspiring future music innovators.”
Contact
- Zack Flores, Save The Music Foundation, zack.flores@savethemusic.org
- Jessica Archer, Wayne State University, jarcher@wayne.edu
- Shawn Wright, Wayne State University, shawn.wright@wayne.edu
About Save The Music
Save The Music Foundation is a 501(c)(3) music education nonprofit that helps students, schools, and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music. For over 25 years, Save The Music (STM) has addressed systemic inequities in music education by investing in culturally rich communities across the US. Since its inception, STM has donated over $75M worth of instruments and technology to over 2,800 schools – impacting millions of students' lives. And we’re just getting started! Learn more at savethemusic.org.
About the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) offers 20 departments and more than 100 academic programs, making it the largest and most comprehensive of Wayne State's schools and colleges. As the academic core of the university, CLAS produces well-rounded students with a passion for life-long learning and the skills to succeed at whatever they choose to do. It’s where the humanities meets history, where Plato meets plate tectonics, and where Wayne State students come for the richest educational experience on campus.
About the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts
The College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts is home to today’s aspiring artists, performers, technicians, scholars, dancers, debaters, entrepreneurs, and communication professionals who all represent the college’s legacy of excellence in our respective fields.
The college serves students majoring in 17 undergraduate programs, 10 graduate programs and three graduate certificates through its departments: the James Pearson Duffy Department of Art, Art History, and Design, the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance, and the Departments of Communication and Music. From debate to dance, jazz to journalism, and fashion design to center stage, our students create captivating performances, inspire artistic and academic excellence, and conduct innovative research on behalf of our Detroit community.