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Urban Collide presents: Korenation

Korenation is a project that I had started at the end of November 2016, which manifested on January, 21st, 2017. Through the obstacles, the hardship, the good and bad experiences, I have learned so much about myself and my view on music that it has really helped shaped my philosophy of education. Because of its impact on my life, I have decided to change my New Learning to reflect my two-month journey of building Korenation. Korenation is a highly interactive showcase-convention that celebrates local talent and promotes the idea that the performing arts has its doors open to everyone. I wanted to take the barrier away between the stage and the audience, so it would seem as if the stage was endless and limitless. The attendees could feel as if they were part of the show as well, rather than a sponge watching the performers. At Korenation, the performers act as ambassadors of inclusivity and empowerment, rather than the idolized star. 

Korenation has opened my eyes to how much I wish that music and the performing arts would become a vital and focal part of students’ lives. Right now, music can be so isolated and that can sometimes be our fault. There will always be a barrier between those who perform/make music versus those who do not. Performing itself is a very isolating event unless its rewarding experience can be shared. I realized the best part of music is its power to bring people together, and thus, I realized how much I wanted music to be for everyone. The art that is made and captured should be seen as an inspiration for more to join, rather than “the wall.” 

I took pride in my ability to stomach criticism as a music major. Of course, I would cry at bad lessons and performances, but I would recover and practice harder. Being the sole director and organizer of Korenation, at many times, I hit my human capacity to make any further contributions. Because of various issues with our financial supporter, Korenation was practically set up for failure. Throughout the whole process, I remained transparent with my performers. We established an understanding and a bond to collaboratively make Korenation succeed despite the odds. And it did! We built a community that day with all the attendees, which was our main goal, and we had around 300 attendees. I was so humbled and relieved with the results, despite the many errors that took place during and prior to the event. Hence, it hurt me every time I heard something slightly negative. I knew it was helpful and I did not expect it to be all praise but hearing every critique brought me down a lot. This helped me to learn that even though teachers are good intentioned when they give constructive feedback, it can sometimes, extremely hurt the students. This is especially the case when teachers do not know the full story of “being set up for failure,” and that perhaps, “despite all that, it is still a success.” Perhaps, it is more important to consider the efforts and the journey as the true measurement of achievement rather than the end product. 

I would not have been able to continue through to the end with Korenation without the support of my performers. Not only were they encouraging, they were inspiring and enthusiastic. They never failed to work together and provide as much support as they could. Seeing everyone, some who were not close to each other at all, work together so diligently, while motivating each other, was so heartwarming to see. I realized how important the learning environment is in relation to student success. Just having a good relationship with the teacher is not enough. Students need to be supported and motivated by their peers. However, it is the teacher’s obligation to develop a safe space and positive classroom climate. Inclusivity does not just come from the teacher and the curriculum towards the students. It needs to act as an interconnected web between student to student, and students to teacher, teacher to student, and teacher to students.

This brings me back to how i deeply believe that the performing arts need to be more inclusive so that every child can be welcomed in. Right now, for an audience member, a performer is someone who is “talented,” and thus, “born for it,” which leads to “only some people can,” and “i am not not one of those.’” I think we should start changing the conversation in regards to music to a more inclusive one. Music right now is almost like an exclusive club, where if you pick up an instrument, then you can join the club. Otherwise, everyone else can watch from outside (the audience). We should start delivering the idea that everyone is capable of producing music and everyone can be a performer. I think if we teach students to support their peers as they learn music just as rigorously we teach music literacy, perhaps more students will feel included to partake in music. If we are sensible with criticism and reach out to the individual, students may not feel fear and anxiety towards performing or those playing tests. 

I have been so blessed by the opportunity to host Korenation. I have never learned so much in such a short span of time. The community that was developed has felt so dear. I was also so humbled by how touched and inspired the attendees felt. At that moment when Korenation came to an end, I felt 300+150 performers and volunteers had become one big family. I truly believe that learning music and partaking in music education should feel the same - an ever-growing, endless family.

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The Meet & Greet was more like a question & answer session. It began with a game between the performers and the attendees. This was the icebreaker. However, it served another purpose: it was to break that barrier between the performers and the audience. It was for the attendees to understand that the performers were just like anyone else. The questions that were asked also had that purpose. It had the message that the performers started out just as ordinary students with a passion for the performing arts. They found some friends, and by continuously motivating each other, they are where they are now.

The Dance Workshop was led by three of the performers. Those who attend the workshop were given an opportunity to perform what they learned at the Showcase right afterwards. The message here was not about trying to be perfect but to stand on stage to share their passion for performing with their friends. Suddenly, with this impromptu performance, “everyone can be a performer,” not just the select few.

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The Korenation Showcase, amongst incredible performers, featured many interactive games. For these games, the performers competed on the audience’s behalf in Team Blue and Team Red. When the performers win, the corresponding audience team would get the prizes. In other games, the performers teamed up with some audience members for a chance to receive prizes, which was then shared with the rest of the “audience team.” In this sense, the attendees participated in the showcase as well!