Davinna Thrower
Teacher
ABOUT
Music and Poetry Synchronized
Our Mission
Music and Poetry Synchronized (MAPS) teaches students (grades 7 – 12) from diverse cultures, races, classes, genders and socio-economic/geographical backgrounds to write original poetry and music and finished songs. In the fall semester urban based students create poetry from their life stories, and in the winter/spring semester rural based music students use the poems as lyrics for the music/songs they write. This songwriting collaboration results in a public performance at the end of each school year.
Get MAPS in your school this year
Our Impact
- 15 years bringing together students from South Hadley, MA to NYC to Hartford, CT to Montpelier, VT, to Puerto Rico
- Over 550 student participants in this profoundly positive educational program
- Noticeable improvements in the poetry students’ test scores and the songwriters’ songwriting skills
- Build students’ self-confidence through public speaking and performing
- Create lasting bridges across disparate races, cultures, genders, classes and geographic regions.
- Work together to dispel stereotypes, fears, and prejudices and create improbable friendships and lasting bonds
Meet the Team
Enid Rey
Board Member
Felix R. Rivera
Teacher
Ilana Morris
Program Coordinator
Jack Silverman
Board Member
Janet Nieves
Teacher
Jenni French
Board Member
Laura Gray
Teacher
Lauren Bowers
Teacher
Matthew King
Teacher
Mitch Mangan
Teacher
Nancy Wheeler
Advisor
Paul Kinsman
Teacher
Rahul Roy
Teacher
Rebecca Calahan Klein
Board Member
Tom Willits
Co-Founder/Board Member/Executive Director
“The music aspect of it is kind of like…pick some chords, throw them together on a keyboard or guitar…then start adding harmonies, and that’s about it. It’s like writing any other song–just with words that aren’t your own.”
Scarlet Feliciano
