Music students from two Naperville high schools were inspired by the documentary "Alive Inside" to bring music to elders living with dementia. This session will provide a model for beginning a similar program in your community and a curriculum to follow designed to inspire an Empathy Revolution through education, inter-generational practices and music. This program provides compelling evidence that music is a vital part of our lives and an essential component of a comprehensive education.
Charles Staley
- Biographical Information
Charles “Chip” Staley is an award-winning band director and Fine Arts Department Chair who has taught for 35 years in Illinois public schools. Under his leadership, the Neuqua Valley High School music program earned widespread recognition and twice gained National Grammy® Signature School status as “the best high school music program in the country.” He also founded ARTSpeaks www.artspeaks.net, an advocacy group for arts in education.
Far more important to Chip, though, has been his commitment to excellence in teaching and education—whatever the subject, wherever the school—as essential elements in developing well-rounded, confident young people and vibrant, resilient communities.
Staley is an Educational Clinician for Conn-Selmer, Inc. and teaches graduate classes for Vandercook College of Music. He also conducts Wind Symphony at the Merit School of Music in Chicago and facilitates the Alive Inside Outreach program in Naperville.