Teachers, and those in the arts particularly, often find they have LGBTQ+ students looking to them for acceptance and a safe space. But how do you know if you are creating the kind of space they need? How can you continue to support and nurture these students so they feel seen, valued and welcome?
Shawn Royer (she/her) and Sarah Royer (she/they) discuss how to better support LGBTQ+ students in music classrooms. The pair works together on the SYO Summer Music Programs, a non-profit organization that is committed to inclusivity and to providing music education opportunities for middle school and high school musicians.
Musician, educator, and clinician, Shawn Royer is an Assistant Professor of Music at Marian University in Indianapolis where she teaches clarinet and saxophone, directs the jazz band, and works with preservice music educators. She is a Yamaha Performing Artist and Vandoren Artist Clinician and maintains an active career performing jazz. She also directs the 65th Street Klezmorim, the Swing Shift Indy big band, and the SYO Summer Music Programs. Sarah Breann Royer performs trumpet regularly throughout the Indy area, teaches private lessons and sectionals at local schools, techs for marching bands, and composes and arranges music for small groups, band/orchestra, and handbells. Sarah has worked with children and adults with developmental disabilities and as a social worker for the past 17 years. Sarah is also the Assistant Director of the SYO Summer Music Programs, a non-profit organization that Sarah and Shawn developed and direct.
