A Few Words with Becca Roberts Finley

Becca Roberts Finley is a past resident of Dallas and an old friend of DSM. She currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina where he is a production coordinator at Go To Team. But it's her passion for music (especially new music) that has her heading up a new e-zine called Music Initiative. We caught up with her by phone last week and got the chance to ask her a few questions:


Congratulations on the first issue. Is there a mission statement for Music Initiative? 

We have one somewhere... but I'm not sure it's just right yet!  So let's just say we want MI to be  a cottage industry magazine.  I want it to feel like your best friend, the one you trust the most, who loves music and tells you who it is to listen to. There is so much great music being created and I think we need a place to learn about it without visiting a ton of different websites or thumbing through a bunch of ads. Simply, 'here are all the things you might want to know about musicians and festivals and the music we discover and love...all in one place.' 

The first issue is packed with info, what can we expect in future issues? 

We called the first issue our 'green issue' but that has two meanings.  First of course, it's published online so there is no printing or printing and we love the conservation angle. But it's also green because we featured John Gray who's from Jacksonville, Florida and his genre is sometimes called 'swamp' music. 

In the next issue we visit 'mountain' regions of the country and feature bands that are actually drawing inspiration from the music of folks like the Carter family. There is a real revival going on in that genre - like Mumford and Sons for example. 

For future issues we've targeted 16 markets that have great but little known bands that we'd like to share with the world. Our goal is to add depth and a new level of understanding of their music.

How did you assemble your team of contributors? 

Most of the columnists in our first issue were folks we knew and their content is all original, written just for us. Some writers will remain the same from issue to issue but other people can contribute columns as well.  We're always open to new material if it fits with the sections that we currently have. Our current sections will remain the same though featured cities and regions will change each month.

What are the goals for MI this year, in the future? 

We'd like to keep the e-zine at the same content level for the next 12 months and really home in on our target cities. I am also coordinating a 'bonfire' series of concerts with people passing through our area. We will have them video taped and up on our companion youtube channel. I have no life right now  - but I love what I do and I get to hear great new music all the time!

If you're a fan of cool new music then we highly recommend you check out the Music Initiative e-zone and be sure to like them on FB!

DLP Initiative - Saving Music, 1 Group at a Time!

We have enjoyed sharing the Kore Series with individual enthusiasts from all over the world. It's exciting to have an international community of music learners logging in and making their way through our lessons on any of 39 instruments. There are glockenspiel players in Norway, clarinetists in the UK, and saxophonists in Saudi Arabia accessing the Kore Series and discovering, learning, and playing music. It is truly humbling!   

This year we are rolling out a new initiative that allows single 'owners' to essentially 'license' the Kore Series of lessons to any number of users in their community for one low, monthly fee.  The benefits of this program are noteworthy and many.  Here are just a few:

1. Public and private schools can offer this unique curriculum to all of their students, staff, and families to enhance their current program or begin a new program.

2. Retail stores can add value and loyalty by providing access to the Kore Series curriculum to anyone who purchases an instrument.

3. Private music studios can make the Kore Series available to their teachers and students to help retention rates.

4. Churches can provide a music learning program for all families as well as members of their music ministry.

5. Home-schoolers can access a quality music learning program and connect to a global community of learners.

6. Instant access to a state-of-the-art learning program, sort of a 'high-tech method book' that comes complete with video how-to's, original songs, amazing play alongs and support.

So what does an owner get for this introductory rate of $20 per month? 

Unlimited access to all 39 instruments and 20 Lessons of the Kore Series along with the support of professional music educators available 24/7!

Personalized forums for your group to share successes and post questions.

Access to our secure global community of users via social networks that include: The Discover, Learn, Play blog, twitter and facebook pages, the MusickEd youtube channel and more.

Visit our site for more info and get instant access for your group!

Where Are They Now? Part 2

It's hard to believe it, but DSM will be celebrating 20 years in 2012. Over that time we have worked with literally thousands of students from all over the DFW metroplex.  Many have become friends and some even consider us part of their extended families. In recent years we began seeing sons and daughters of former students which means - we're getting really old! It has been an incredible journey.

As we embark on a new 'global' phase of the school with MusickEd.com and Discover, Learn, and Play, we thought we'd take a look back and catch up with a few students to see what they were up to and ask what they remember about their time at DSM.  

Nicholas Sanchez studied both guitar and piano as a teenager at DSM. Although he moved away from Dallas, we have remained in touch over the years.  Now he is grown and has his own wonderful family.  Thanks for sharing your story Nico!

Is there anything in particular that you remember about DSM? Any specific event, or occurrence? 

I remember DSM in two ways - once during grade and high-school, and again after college.  Both times for me it was a wonderful escape - a different type of focus and creativity where I could put aside school and/or work, and spend time focused on learning the instrument.  

I was probably one of DSM's most unprepared or unpracticed students, but I sincerely valued the times where most of my musical learning was packed into my weekly lessons with really smart, interesting, and fun teachers that could work with my "loose" goals.  

One year, I even encouraged my future wife to take lessons there so she could focus on a violin piece she was learning.  It was really fun to hear and see her progress and participate with DSM.

Tell us what you're doing now and what your plans are for the next year or so. 
I am living in Sacramento with my wife Stephany and my brand new son, Gabriel!  I work for a software company but my passions are my brand new little family, cooking, and of course, listening and playing music.  It is my goal that Gabriel grow up with music in his blood and that instruments become his toys of choice. 

Is music part of your everyday life?

I play the piano and guitar a little less than before, but this will certainly be picking up again as it is something I want my son to grow up around.  Since moving to California, my wife and I became part of a small ensemble called "Delirium Tremens"... yup, medical people! We jam every once in a while and we have played the UC Davis Internal Medicine graduation for the last two years, and we're expected to play again this year.  Last year I was vocals and guitar, yikes!
 
Music is a major part of my life especially via my family on my mom's side, and on my wife's side.  We want to make sure this is a central theme for our young family as well.  I used to want to record music, but then, for me, it got in the way of just playing.

Thanks Nicholas and best to you and your new family! Be sure to stop in and say hello if you get back to Dallas - we'd love to see you.

The DLP Music Initiative

For those of you new to QR codes - this is similar to bar code technology.  By using a 'scanning app' such as Kaywa or Mobile Tag on your handheld or cell phone, the image will send you to a selected URL.

The QR code on the left will send you to a letter from the President of The Dallas School of Music about a new initiative that can make music education available to students whose programs are currently dwindling or being cut altogether. 

We are excited about this initiative and look forward to your support in spreading the word!

If you are a more traditional techie - CLICK HERE to read the letter!  And please feel free to send this image or link along to your school superintendent or arts administrator. 

Together we can make a difference!

Where Are They Now?

Alison in front of the Temple of Heaven, Beijing 2010

It's hard to believe it, but DSM will be celebrating 20 years in 2012.  Over that time we have worked with literally thousands of students from all over the DFW metroplex.  Many have become friends and some even consider us part of their extended families. In recent years we began seeing sons and daughters of former students which means - we're getting really old! It has been an incredible journey.

As we embark on a new 'global' phase of the school with MusickEd.com and Discover, Learn, and Play, we thought we'd take a look back and catch up with a few students to see what they were up to and ask what they remember about their time at DSM.  

Alison Goh studied both piano and cello at DSM. It was great to hear from her and see how she has grown - thanks for sharing Alison!

Is there anything in particular that you remember about DSM? Any specific event, or occurrence? 

I remember feeling like DSM was more than just a place that I went for music lessons, it also had a good community of teachers that were willing to listen about anything (from issues at school, to sibling fights and even regrettable 90s popstar crushes!).  How Mr. Finkel and Mr. Feltner ever put up with that, I might never know.  Deepest apologies from my present self.  

Tell us what you're doing now and what your plans are for the next year or so.

I currently live in Washington DC working as a Communications Associate at EZGSA, a government consulting firm. After I graduated from college, I taught English to college students in China for a year and upon return to the US, went to Rhode Island to work to elect Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI).   Up until three weeks ago I've been living out of a suitcase for a total of 16 months so I plan on staying in DC for a little while.  I enjoyed working on the campaign trail a lot and am excited for 2012!

Is music part of your everyday life?

I listen to a lot of music and spend a lot of time discovering new bands, seeing live music, and talking about new artists/tracks/jams/albums.  My appreciation and love of music has definitely evolved into finding new music and developing my musical tastes (and spending too much money on concert tickets). 

Sadly, my parents have custody of my cello right now, since I moved apartments and countries too often in the past 3 years, so I haven't gotten to play lately.

Thanks Alison and happy travels!  Be sure to stop in and say hello if you get back to Dallas - we'd love to see you.

Click here for more pictures.