Wednesday, March 23
6:30 pm EDT
SEL and Reimagining the Orchestra
Presented by Save The Music Foundation and The Center for Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning
Jonathan Taylor Rush
Assistant Conductor, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Isaac Sinnett
Senior Associate Director, Ravinia Festival
Scott Edgar
Director of Practice and Research, The Center for Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning
The symphony orchestra has long been associated with musical tradition and excellence; however, it has not always provided a space where everyone feels welcomed. Conductor Jonathan Taylor Rush and Senior Associate Director of the Ravinia Festival’s Reach Teach Play education programs Isaac Sinnett will join Dr. Scott Edgar, Director of Practice and Research for The Center for Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning, to discuss how to broaden the orchestral model so more people, especially underrepresented populations, can feel a sense of belonging in this space. They will share and discuss models for making these social and emotional outcomes intentional, embedded, and sustained routines and learning community practices.
Jonathan Taylor Rush has been hailed as a continually rising talent in the conducting world by the Baltimore Sun. He brings passion, unique interpretation, and a refreshing energy to the orchestral experience. Rush was appointed as Assistant Conductor for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in fall 2020. Previously, he served as Music Director of the Buckeye Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as Conducting Fellow for the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra. In 2018, Rush was a Project Inclusion Conducting Fellow with the Chicago Sinfonietta, and in 2019, was named Assistant Conductor. As winner of the 2018 Respighi Prize in Conducting at age 22, Rush made his professional orchestra debut with the Chamber Orchestra of New York in Carnegie Hall. He continues to conduct both nationally and internationally, with notable debuts including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Sinfonietta, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and Nairobi Philharmonic. Rush’s mentors and teachers include Marin Alsop, Mei-Ann Chen, and Joseph Young.
Isaac Sinnett is Senior Associate Director for the Ravinia Festival’s renowned Reach Teach Play education programs. In his fifteen years with Ravinia, he has contributed greatly to the growth of their portfolio of education programs, including spearheading the revitalization of the tuition-free Ravinia Lawndale Family Music School. Sinnett also led the creation of Ravinia’s El Sistema inspired program, Sistema Ravinia, a program that continues to strive for phenomenal musical growth; deeply rooted, positive social development of youth; and pathways for continued success. He serves on several committees concerned with advancing youth through the arts, including the Mellon Foundation funded Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative, and serves on the practice advisory board of the Center for Arts Education and Social and Emotional Learning. A passionate musician, educator, and administrator, he is a sought-after thought partner who is frequently asked to consult with other organizations, supporting the advancement of programs fostering the ideals of access, equity, community, musicianship, and ensemble.
Scott Edgar is Associate Professor of Music, Music Education Chair, and Director of Bands at Lake Forest College in Illinois. He received his doctorate of philosophy in music education from the University of Michigan, his master’s degree in education from the University of Dayton, and his bachelor’s degree in music education from Bowling Green State University. His previous teaching experience in higher education includes work at Adrian College and Concordia College Ann Arbor. Prior to his work in higher education, he taught K–12 instrumental music in Ohio and Michigan. Dr. Edgar is the author of
Music Education and Social Emotional Learning: The Heart of Teaching Music and is an internationally sought-after clinician on the topic. He is an active clinician and adjudicator, and regularly presents at professional development and research conferences. Dr. Edgar is a Music for All educational consultant, a Conn-Selmer educational clinician, and a VH1 Save the Music Foundation educational consultant.