Indiana - Westfield High School music teacher Jeffrey McLaughlin learned how beneficial a WEF grant can be this school year. McLaughlin used his $1,000 grant to have steel pan educator David Chase visit his class. Chase is originally from Trinidad and Tobago, where the steel pan originated.
Chase and his steel pan group performed in concert following the first visit in February. Chase will also visit in April and May. Chase is the music director at Shepherd Community Center, an outreach center on east side of the Indianapolis. Following the concert, McLaughlin’s class performed and volunteered reading with young children at Shepherd.
“The partnership with David and Shepherd was very fun and rewarding,” McLaughlin said. “The students learned more about poverty in the poorest section of Indianapolis. We learned how Shepherd addresses this issue holistically to help meet physical, spiritual, emotional and financial needs of the community. Steel pan is one vehicle used to get kids involved in music.”
Replies