Page 12 - BUZZ Magazine - Issue No. 1 Spring 2021 | University of Rochester

MATTERS
REPRESENTATION

Bringing classical music into middle and
high schools through a new, equitable lens

by KRISTINE THOMPSON

ast year, Travon “Our goal is to show BIPOC
L Walker ’21E—an aspiring youth that they belong in this
opera singer who is studying classical music space and
vocal performance and arts that there is a place for them,”
leadership at the Eastman Walker says. “For them, seeing
School of Music—launched people who look like them
a University of Rochester helps them feel included and
crowdfunding project called imagine that they could make
“Representation Matters.” The music like this, too.”
project will introduce middle
and high school students to Walker says that it is important
classical music, specifically to present this music to white
the music created by Black, audiences, too—for them
Indigenous, and people of to listen, learn, and expand
color (BIPOC) that many traditional perspectives around
are unaware of. classical music. “Classical

Photo by Michelle Martorell

11 | UNIVERSITY OF ROCHES TER BUZZ MA G AZINE