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NEXTGen Musician, Parker, speaks about arts advocacy

Pictured above: images of 2023 NEXTGen Musician, Parker, speaking about arts advocacy as a queer teen. 

Music gives us the freedom to express our individuality, foster communities where that individuality is uplifted, and share messages of love, support & vibrancy in a multitude of ways. From our childhood to our later years, we can use music as a bridge between what makes us different and learn how to actively value those things. After the exciting launch of our Journey to Japan program specifically for older adults, Midori & Friends now offers music education programming for all ages, and we witness the joy & liberation that comes with sharing music every single day. As #PrideMonth nears its end, we celebrate the ways people have used music to bring change, spread love and inspire others to be themselves.

 

“You have people who love and care about you, and you have forms and ways of you showing that. Music can possibly be one of those things.” – Parker (they/them), 2023 NEXTGen Musician

 

Our #NEXTGen Musicians learn the importance of advocating for themselves, each other and their communities through music and beyond. Today we highlight Parker’s talents, generosity and urgency in their advocacy work towards a world where everyone feels free to express themselves. Parker had the opportunity to advocate for music education at NYC Arts in Education Roundtable this month. They shared this message virtually for the It Starts with the Arts Rally:

 

“Music brings hope, it brings love but most importantly, it brings community and if music education was free, we could experience that community again.”

We can’t wait to see what they do next! Follow @nextgen.musician & @midoriandfriends on Instagram to keep up with our programming. Watch Parker’s full highlight video here.