44th International Viola Congress

Each summer the Daraja Music Initiative (DMI) provides Tanzanian students with a unique interdisciplinary educational program that fuses music and conservation. By employing place based education and community music approaches, the Daraja Music Initiative aims to utilize the transformative power of music education to encourage creativity and the protection of natural resources. Volunteer music teachers include University String Pedagogy classes, providing student volunteers with hands-on teaching experience while learning first hand how music education can contribute to a positive social change. This session will examine DMI’s philosophy, programing and ways the greater musical community can become involved.

Hillary Herndon teaches at the University of Tennessee, the Viola Winter Intensive and is the director of Daraja Strings in Moshi, Tanzania. Her recordings are available on MSR Classics. Herndon holds degrees from Eastman and Juilliard and serves as President Elect for the American Viola Society.