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The Fight for Music Education

Keeping Music Alive: Jaunelle Celaire Represents UAF at the Alaska Music Summit

The Alaska Music Summit is a vital gathering for the state’s music community, bringing together educators, performers, policymakers, and advocates to collaborate on sustaining and expanding musical opportunities. Covering a wide range of topics—from practical sessions like “Live Sound 101” and “Promoting Your Music in Local Media” to in-depth discussions such as “Alaska’s Music Industry: Where We Stand” and “Spotlight on Music Educators”—the summit fosters dialogue and actionable solutions to challenges facing Alaska’s music scene.

This year’s summit took place in Anchorage, Juneau, and Fairbanks, each featuring a diverse slate of panels. At the Fairbanks event, the “Spotlight on Music Educators” panel brought attention to the state of music education. Jaunelle Celaire, the Steve & Cynthia Holmberg Choral Director Endowed Music Department Chair and Professor of Voice at the ���ϳԹ���, joined fellow educators Gwen Brazier (West Valley & Lathrop High Schools) and Bobb Lockwood (Randy Smith Middle School) to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing music education today.

Celaire emphasized the pressing concern of program cuts and their direct impact on students, a challenge that resonated deeply with many attendees. “Some of the main things that we spoke about in terms of music education were the cutting of programs and how that is affecting the students who are in the classroom today,” she shared. She reflected on how different the landscape was when she pursued her career, noting that she never had to worry about whether music education would be available to her. “I went to school to become a teacher, artist, and performer in my field, and that is exactly what I did. I was not challenged with that craft not being there. Things are very different now,” she said, highlighting the growing uncertainty for today’s aspiring musicians and educators.

Events like the Alaska Music Summit play a crucial role in bringing attention to these challenges. “There are often times where we all get stuck in our own corner that we don’t take the opportunity to understand what other educators are dealing with, especially in the arts,” Celaire explained. A major concern raised during the panel was how the instability of music programs is discouraging young musicians from pursuing careers in the field. “Many aspiring music educators and performers now second-guess even pursuing a career in music because of these outside issues,” she said.

Fostering the next generation of musicians and educators requires more than just advocacy—it depends on strong relationships and hands-on support. Celaire emphasized the importance of building connections between UAF’s music program and local schools to ensure a steady pipeline of students who are encouraged to pursue music. “As department chair, I think it is very important that there be a strong connection between the middle school and high school music teachers in the district,” she stated. To strengthen these ties, Celaire dedicates one day each week to visiting schools, working directly with students and educators to provide mentorship and guidance. She is not alone in this effort—UAF’s Music Department has a long-standing tradition of partnering with local schools for outreach programs. These initiatives give UAF students valuable real-world teaching and performance experience while also enriching the musical education of younger students in the Fairbanks area. Through these collaborations, UAF faculty and students are helping to cultivate a thriving music community and ensure that music remains a vital part of education in Alaska.

For many students, choir serves as their first introduction to structured vocal music, providing an early foundation that can shape their musical journeys. “Choir is the first level of vocal participation in elementary, middle school, and even high school. It is important that we all understand this,” Celaire noted. Recognizing the significance of this early exposure, she strives to create opportunities for students to continue their choral experiences beyond secondary school. “I want to provide a choral venue for those students who sang in a choir at the beginning of their vocal journey,” she said.

Her leadership extends beyond the classroom to her work with the Choir of the North, Alaska’s longest-standing choral organization and a cherished tradition in the state for over fifty years. Conducting the choir has reinforced the importance of collaboration and dedication in music. “Working together as a team to accomplish the same goals such as vowel shape, sounds, and unification is a very gratifying way to make music,” she shared. Through her work with the Choir of the North, Celaire continues to support and inspire students, ensuring that those who begin their journey in school choirs have a path to continue their growth and artistry at the university level.

That same spirit of teamwork is essential not only within a choir but in the broader effort to sustain music education. Ultimately, Celaire hopes that events like the Alaska Music Summit encourage educators, students, and community members to recognize their collective role in keeping music alive. “We are all in this together and we all need to be more supportive in this industry! We fight the good fight together and we enjoy the art as a whole. It is literally our job to keep it alive and make it last.”

The UAF Department of Music is dedicated to training the next generation of musicians, educators, and advocates who will carry Alaska’s musical traditions forward. Through a strong emphasis on performance, education, and community outreach, the department provides students with the skills and experiences necessary to thrive in the music industry. By fostering connections with local schools and offering hands-on learning opportunities, UAF continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of music in Alaska.