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On a rainy afternoon in New Orleans' Ninth Ward, the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music (EMCM) comes alive as students arrive for classes. The center, in partnership with Apple since 2019, offers courses that combine music and technology. "I know some people wonder, 'Why is a music institution teaching coding?' For us, it’s all connected — it’s part of a digital tapestry," says Lisa Dabney, EMCM's executive director.
Apple's involvement extends beyond EMCM. Students at Delgado Community College produce podcasts about local culture, while young artists at Arts New Orleans have used iPads to design murals. Lisa Jackson from Apple states, "We love to see technology and creativity supporting one another."
The curriculum at EMCM emphasizes music and technology education. Piano lessons are foundational, but now coding and audio engineering are also integral parts of the program. Dr. Daryl Dickerson notes the importance of these skills: "If you learn how to capture and edit audio at a young age, you can evolve that into a career."
High school senior Jacob Jones Jr. finds inspiration through his classes: “You can make a sound on an instrument...and play around and make something totally brand-new.” Similarly, Donte Allen merges his love for music with newfound coding skills.
Beyond music education, Arts New Orleans' Young Artist Movement (YAM) has been impactful. Their latest mural project highlights stories of previously incarcerated locals and aims to inspire hope within the community.
Arts diversion programs provide alternatives to prosecution for youth facing minor offenses. Journey Allen explains the significance: “Giving them their own program gives them a true opportunity to expand.”
Judge Arthur Hunter emphasizes the economic potential of art: “It’s not just the art — it’s an economic opportunity as well." The unveiling of YAM's mural marks both an achievement and a beginning for more art projects in New Orleans.
