APPLETON, Wis. — Appleton’s Mile of Music festival features artists and musicians from all around.
The music education team is doing its part by inspiring the younger generation with workshops at the event.
Esme Watkins attends Lawrence University in Appleton. She said she attended the music education class because she wanted to represent her school and enjoy the music.
“I really love how the Mile of Music, especially how Lawrence is doing it, it’s bringing people into the community and I just hope it continues in the future and it just introduces different types of music to younger people,” said Watkins.
Sunday, she traded in her viola for a didgeridoo. As a Colorado native, she said it’s important for children to get out of their comfort zone.
“I think it’s important because it broadens children’s horizons to different cultures and different traditions outside of like the normal classical music that would be taught at like elementary schools and in school programs,” said Watkins.
Eli Grover is a teacher and Mile of Music education member. He said he continues to come back year after year because of how rewarding it is. He said music is powerful and brings people together.
“Try it with your kids and try it yourself,” said Grover. “One of the best ways as parents we can be teachers for our kids is show them what learning looks like, don’t be afraid to be a learner to show your kids what it means to be a learner.”
Watkins said being surrounded by like-minded people while trying new things is why she moved to Appleton.
“That there are just so many different types of music just going on in the Appleton community that I think about,” said Watkins. “I think it was just really neat that they do this every year to get the Appleton community to learn about music and just come together through music. And I just love it.”