How a Pre-School Of Rock Program Affirms CMA’s Investment in Music Teachers
This week's Country Update lead story explores Kids on Stage, the program at Hillsboro Elementary and Middle School in Tennessee that helped Miley Cyrus and Kesha get their start.
In 2006, the Country Music Association invested in music education, following a successful tradition established a decade earlier at Hillsboro Elementary and Middle School in Leiper’s Fork, Tenn. Founded by Aubrey Preston, Kids on Stage brought music education to the struggling school, which had no fine arts program. The program's success led to a boost in the school's test scores and engagement from students.
When School of Rock launched in Philadelphia, Kids on Stage had already set the stage for music education in schools. Today, the CMA celebrates music teachers with its 10th annual Music Teachers of Excellence event, highlighting the increased attention on music education in Middle Tennessee. Trevor Baxter, head of the fine arts department at Centennial High in Franklin, Tenn., has witnessed the flourishing of arts in the area since the inception of Kids on Stage.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
