Representation Matters

Travon Walker ’21E

Last year, Travon Walker ’21E—an aspiring opera singer who is studying vocal performance and arts leadership at the Eastman School of Music—launched a University of Rochester crowdfunding project called “Representation Matters.” The project will introduce middle and high school students to classical music, specifically the music created by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) that many are unaware of.

“Our goal is to show BIPOC youth that they belong in this classical music space and that there is a place for them,” says Walker, who is also the recipient of the Lois Smith Rogers Scholarship and the Anne T. Cummins Voice Scholarship. “For young people, seeing others who look like them helps them feel included–it inspires them to imagine that they could make music like this, too.”

Walker says that it is important to present this music to white audiences, too—for them to listen, learn, and expand traditional perspectives around classical music. “Classical music is for everyone, and so is the music created by BIPOC composers,” he adds. “In order to elevate it, more people need to be aware of it, perform these works, and advocate and showcase these pieces and their composers.”

The project officially launches in early 2021. That’s when Walker and a group of 20 fellow Eastman students—both BIPOC and white—will bring this music to students in the Irondequoit, Penfield, and Webster school districts. That’s just the beginning, though. Walker plans to bring the program to Rochester City School District, which has a high population of BIPOC students, and he wants to expand it to even more suburban schools, which have more white students.

The program will work like this: students will take part in a multi-session Zoom experience that will kick-off with Walker introducing students to BIPOC composers and their music. Students will also receive a variety of short videos featuring members of Walker’s musical team performing various pieces. In a follow up session, the performers will share what it was like learning about their pieces and what it meant to them to perform them. In the final session, Walker will explore what the students learned and experienced through the music.

“Representation matters” project

When the world erupted last year with issues of civil unrest, social injustice, and racial divide, Walker felt compelled to bring this project—which he first developed in an arts leadership class—to life. “I wanted to do something to make life better for more people through music,” he says.

Walker has rallied a lot of support, too. At first, the Friends of Eastman Opera came on board and provided some seed funding. Then, Walker met with Eastman administrators and together they developed this into a crowdfunding project.

“In the first month, we raised more than half of our initial $5,000 goal,” Walker says. “Now we are continuing to fundraise so we can expand the program.” Walker will use crowdfunding resources to cover costs for music, recording equipment, and more, including salaries for the project team’s student musicians.