Suzanne Fassett-Wright Presents at Kennedy Center’s ED@LEAD Conference
In July 2024, Chautauqua Institution’s Director of Arts Education Suzanne Fassett-Wright presented at the Kennedy Center’s ED@LEAD Conference. This event is an outgrowth of the Kennedy Center’s LEAD (Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability)Conference. Fassett-Wright lead a session titled “Feelin’ the Beat: Where Drumming and Social Emotional Learning Meet,” sharing out about the Chautauqua Arts Education School Residencies drumming program.
This program was developed originally to serve students with disabilities, integrating music and social emotional skill learning. However, it became clear with so many students struggling with social emotional skills due to the pandemic, many schools have been hosting this program to support a broader population of students.
“It was powerful to share how this program has developed over the years to integrate music learning with key social emotional learning skills,” said Fassett-Wright. “Several attendees said this workshop offered a new perspective that encouraged them to be intentional about how they designed their arts offerings to support current student needs.”
In addition to this conference, Fassett-Wright participated in the Kennedy Center Arts Education Conference in June and the Arts Partnership for Learning Conference in September. At all three events, she contributed to conversations alongside leaders in arts education practice and policy from across the nation.
“I’m proud to represent Chautauqua Institution at these conferences, as it provides opportunities for Chautauqua Arts Education to learn and support others’ learning by sharing out,” said Fassett-Wright. “Chautauqua Arts Education convenes important conversations with teachers, students and administrators in Chautauqua County, as we discuss serving the needs of the surrounding rural area. Attending these conferences allows me to take what we’ve learned to continue the conversation nationally, with others who value arts education as a core component of a well-rounded education.”