My name is Elana '22 and I’m studying Music and Urban Studies, which together create a space to explore topics of art-making, place, justice, sound and listening. I feel lucky to be able to lean into these interests through experiences like supporting peers’ writing practices as a Writing Fellow, participating in progressive political and climate justice organizing in Providence, and playing trumpet with friends.

Project:

I am working with the local music school Community MusicWorks (CMW) to conduct an internal evaluation of their programming with the aim of bringing CMW into closer alignment with its commitments to “cohesive urban community” and antiracist praxis. Using ArcGIS mapping of the West End and South Providence neighborhoods in which CMW works, data analysis of student completion in the program, and interviews with students and families, this evaluation will inform CMW’s decision-making on tangible policies that can better-support equitable student success. Building on a practice across my undergraduate education that has weaved music and urban studies with relationships off College Hill, this project practices a mode of reciprocal, accountable engagement that leverages my academic resources to meet the research requests of CMW.