Board Login
P.S. Arts logo mobile menu
P.S. Arts meet Ms. Claudia

Ms. Claudia García is a P.S. ARTS Teaching Artist who teaches music at LAUSD schools. We love her inclusive approach to music education and the different instruments she incorporates into her lessons, including her voice. We interviewed Ms. García about her techniques and ideas and what she’s learned as a P.S. ARTS Teaching Artist. Find out more below!


Tell us about yourself and your art discipline.

I am a musician, songwriter and producer, and my primary instrument is my voice. I have been teaching music for 14 years and this is my 3rd year with P.S. ARTS. My background is in mariachi music and I currently direct two youth mariachi ensembles outside of P.S. ARTS.

What does your current teaching setup look like? What are some tools that are essential to your virtual classroom these days?

I have a semi-permanent background curtain and I basically rearrange my small workspace for different activities (i.e., filming, editing, practicing, planning).  When filming, I use lighting and audio equipment provided by P.S. ARTS. I also have several musical instruments I use including guitars, a ukulele, a glockenspiel, a finger piano, and small percussion instruments such as a djembe drum, hand drums, maracas, and tambourines.

Share a “magic moment” you experienced teaching in the last year (an inspirational experience as a teacher or with a student). 

The most magical moments I have experienced during online teaching in the last year are those moments when students have volunteered to sing on their own or be leaders in call and response songs such as “Jambo” and “Sing About Martin.” Not only are their voices wonderful to hear, but it also demonstrates that that student feels empowered in that moment.

Who is an artist you are currently inspired by?

I am very much inspired by Ella Jenkins, who is a living legend of children’s music.

How has teaching for P.S. ARTS shaped your practice as a Teaching Artist?

P.S. ARTS has provided a framework, guidance, and support in the type of social justice-centered teaching I have always aspired to provide. I have also acquired invaluable skills and experience that I am able to integrate into my mariachi teaching.


Thank you for sharing with us, Ms. Claudia! We appreciate your work and love what you do! Sing along with Ms. Claudia through her videos on the P.S. ARTS To Go! page. 

SHARE

Related

In the early summer days of August 8th and 9th, 2023, something remarkable happened – P.S. ARTS faculty...
P.S. ARTS is proud to partner with CSULA on their Community Teaching Artist Certificate (CTA) Program which provides...
In response to the growing need for highly skilled Teaching Artists both within P.S. ARTS and the arts education landscape...
Skip to content