We recently connected with Sandi Wilson and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sandi, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I have made a point of trying to add new and innovative ways of teaching in every program that I have built. My newest program has to be my biggest and most exciting endeavor yet. I have had the pleasure of working for the Franklin School of Innovation in Asheville, NC for the last two years. In that time, I have had unbelievable support from Franklin to build a program that is an entirely new approach to instrumental ensemble education. Along with a thriving choral program, I have developed a Modern Orchestra program at our school. This allows students (7th-12th grade) who play ANY instrument to come together and create a large performing ensemble. This approach has gotten incredible buy-in from the students. Over the past two years, we have gone from having about 25 students in the whole music program to 80-100 students in EACH ensemble. For this upcoming school year, we are anticipating over 200 students being in the program. I am so excited to see so many students getting the opportunity to try new instruments, and learn about instruments they may not have gotten to play or perform within a traditional program. I have seen many of them take on leadership roles by arranging and writing new parts, helping teach the younger students, and even directing pieces in our performances. Watching this program come together has been a highlight of my career and I couldn’t be more proud of the students involved. I am so lucky to have built such a beautiful community and to have developed such strong bonds with these musicians and their families. By taking this approach of focusing on building community within all of my programs, it has allowed me to stay connected with so many of my students even after they have left the classroom. This program has done more than just give students the opportunity to try something new in music, it has given me an opportunity to do everything I’ve been working for in my entire career; to build a loving, equitable, and knowledgeable music education experience.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve been a student of music since the age of four and throughout my 32 years in the music world, I have gotten to meet/work with some of the greatest musicians and people I have ever known. I am so proud that I have been able to create six different music programs that are still thriving, and having the privilege to share my passion for music with students outside of the classroom as a clinician and adjudicator for various competitions and festivals nationwide. I have been nominated for three Music Educator GRAMMY Awards (I am currently in the running for the 2024 award), have won a global Top 100 Visionaries in Education award, had the unforgettable opportunity to become a TedX speaker, been featured multiple times in local, national, and international publications and on local and national radio shows. These have definitely been some major accolades and achievements I am extremely proud of, but none of it would have been possible without my amazing students and community.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal as a music educator has been, and always will be, to make music fun, available, and equitable for EVERYONE! Whether it’s for financial reasons or program availability in/out of schools, no one should be denied the ability to have music education in their lives. I have students who are first year kiddos at our school, who are INCREDIBLE musicians but haven’t been able to share their gifts with others because they didn’t have a music program that allowed them to participate or they just didn’t have a music program. By creating modern orchestra, an ukulele player, for example, who couldn’t play in an orchestra or band class at most schools, now has an opportunity to play in an ensemble and create music with others on a whole new level they may never have been able to before. I hope one day ALL schools and music programs will be able to give access to all students, who play any instrument, this incredible opportunity.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think the most rewarding part of what I do is being able to do something that is meaningful for my entire community. I am so passionate about music and education, even as a little kid, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Getting to see the joy on my students’ faces every time they get to perform, play, and learn, is what it is all about for me. I’ve always said that I am not looking to train the next prodigal musician or rockstar, I’m looking to educate and empower young musicians to use their talents in a positive way. Even if they all don’t stick with music, the time they do spend with it, will hopefully help them to live life musically.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.livelifemusically.com
• Instagram: @livinglifemusically
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandiwilson17
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@LiveLifeMusically

Image Credits
Brooklyn Trull, Justin Clark, Kyle Wilson