Teacher Feature: Lauren Griffin

How Lauren Griffin Connects Students to Music, Culture, and Confidence

Modern band helps students connect the music they love with the music they learn in school. For 16 years, Lauren Griffin has been creating those connections in her classroom. Currently teaching students from pre-K through 8th grade, she has developed a teaching style that blends cultural relevance, modern instruments, and a student-centered approach.

Discovering Modern Band

After a decade of teaching traditional instruments like recorders and boomwhackers, Ms. Griffin's move to a Fine and Performing Arts School prompted her to update her curriculum to include modern instruments such as keyboard, ukulele, and guitar. Shortly after, a serendipitous email led her to the Modern Band 101 workshop with Music Will. Describing the experience as "amazing," she was thrilled to play her dream instrument, the bass guitar, and gained the current practices needed to meet her students' and the school’s needs. 

How Modern Band Builds Student Confidence

Ms. Griffin champions music for its versatility, benefiting students both academically and emotionally. She notes a profound change in confidence: "Students may not be the most confident in core content classes, but in music class they are rock stars." By ensuring her students are "seen and heard," she helps quiet students come to life. This power of music was never clearer than in a moment from her fourth year of teaching. She had a 6th-grade student with selective mutism who only communicated through nods and notes. After three months, the student sought her out and, for the first time, whispered, "Hi, Ms. Griffin." That pivotal moment led to a breakthrough, and by the end of the year, the student was speaking in a soft tone and even lip-syncing in class. 

Teaching Music for a New Generation

The necessity of constant evolution is one of Ms. Griffin’s greatest challenges, as she must continually "reinvent lessons because the students of today are not the students of five years ago." Yet, the long-term impact is undeniable. A former 7th-grade student who was "unresponsive" and only cared about sports surprised her as a high school freshman, saying he might join band and was helping classmates with music basics. His mother later confirmed a positive shift in his behavior. This story reinforces Ms. Griffin's belief that "even when students seem disengaged, the seeds we plant in the classroom can grow in ways we never expect."

Culturally Responsive Music in the Modern Band Classroom

Ms. Griffin customizes her curriculum to fit her students’ needs. A signature element of her classroom is the music she brings in, specifically 1970s R&B and soul. Artists like Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, and Stevie Wonder are the "heartbeat of the culture," and her students light up when they hear it played in class. This approach allows them to connect with music in a real way, see themselves reflected in what they’re learning, and make music class feel "alive, relevant, and joyful."

Lauren Griffin’s Impact as a Teacher Leader

Ms. Griffin is proudly entering her "teacher leader era," marked by significant accomplishments. She has secured more than $25,000 in grant funding to expand her music program, directly benefiting her students and community. Additionally, her commitment to arts education and equity is highlighted by her acceptance into prestigious cohorts, including the Connected Arts Networks (CAN) and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Residency, as well as her service as a member of Black Educators Matter. Ms. Griffin is not just teaching modern music, she is building confidence, changing behaviors, and creating a place for students to express themselves. Her work embodies Music Will’s mission to transform lives by ensuring all students have access to and participate in music education. To help more teachers like Lauren Griffin continue to unlock their students' potential, we invite you to support Music Will today or learn more about our programs.