Santiago Valderrama
UO graduate student teaches Spanish to children through music at United Music Academy
United Music Academy students practice for their holiday concert.
January 8, 2016 — University of Oregon graduate student Corie Brown is teaching Spanish to children through music at Eugene’s United Music Academy, which she directs. United Music Academy offers weekly music classes to students ages 4 – 14, featuring songs in multiple languages, especially Spanish. The Academy aims to make access to high-quality music classes possible for all local kids in this age range, regardless of income or aptitude. “Music is not as available in the public schools as it used to be,” says Brown. “All children deserve the opportunity to participate in music.”
Brown brings enthusiasm and experience to the program. She recently moved to Eugene from Colombia, South America where she was working on the cultivation of choirs in the renowned national music program of 4,500 children, “Fundación Batuta.” She is currently finishing her master’s degree in choral conducting at UO, where she works with Dr. Sharon Paul. Brown brings a diverse set of experiences and passion from not only South America, but also her experience in the Midwest where she grew up and began her teaching career.
The Academy offers Children’s Choir (ages 7-9) and Youth Choir (ages 10-14), which are both conducted by Corie Brown and focus on developing the young singer musically and socially through fun world and classical choral music. The Academy also includes Music for Preschool (ages 4-6), taught by Santiago Valderrama. Valderrama holds a bachelor’s in early childhood music education and has eight years of experience teaching preschool and elementary music in his native Colombia. › Continue reading
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