Thursday, June 27, 2024
“Being a musician shouldn’t be reserved for those who are more privileged, or for those who learn in a specific way. Music connects us all and should be accessible to all.” –Sarah Fard, Longy online MMME faculty member
Meet Longy Master of Music in Music Education (MMME) Online faculty member, Sarah Fard! Like all Longy MMME faculty, she is an actively practicing music educator and musician. Sarah’s teaching philosophy focuses on creating a more accessible and inclusive music scene.
“I went into teaching because I believe that everyone has a voice that deserves to be heard, and music can be a powerful tool in doing so. An education in music is an education in empathy, critical thinking, and creativity.”
Sarah Fard
Sarah began her music education journey at the University of New Hampshire where she studied jazz guitar and music education before starting her public school teaching career in Massachusetts in 2009. She has taught various music courses at all grade levels and now teaches guitar, popular music ensemble, music technology, and adapted music at Medford High School in Medford, MA.
Sarah earned her master’s in music education from Boston University and a Graduate Certificate in Music Education and Autism from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She continues her work with the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education by acting as an educational consultant for their private lesson program and leading professional development opportunities for music educators. Before working with Longy, she also led the collegiate chapter of United Sound at Berklee, an inclusive concert band program for adults with disabilities, for which she was awarded a Berklee Urban Service Award.
An avid advocate for inclusive and relevant teaching methods, Sarah has led workshops for various state music education associations, inclusive arts education organizations, and local colleges and universities.
Sarah focuses on bringing popular music education and literacy opportunities to all learners. She is on a subcommittee for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association; is currently working on a book focused on Universal Design for Learning and music education; and continues to be an active performer in the New England area.
Sarah says, “Being a musician shouldn’t be reserved for those who are more privileged, or for those who learn in a specific way. Music connects us all and should be accessible to all. It is my role as a teacher to spark creativity and foster growth. For that to happen, every prospective musician needs to feel valued and represented. This relates to the music we teach, the methods we use, and the musicians we expose our students to. If it’s not diverse, then we are not doing our best for our students!”
You’ll learn and grow with fellow music educators like Sarah Fard while enrolled in Longy’s online MMME program. Apply now for the Fall 2024 semester at https://bit.ly/3VHDcXO.