Downbeat = down bow? Not in every culture! Explore how breaking away from our default rules can facilitate more valid and validating experiences with diverse repertoire. This session will break down the concept of cultural validity and highlight research-based strategies for more informed teaching in strings. Learn how to analyze string orchestra arrangements with a cultural lens so that adjustments can be made to improve experience for students, audiences, and yourself. Bring an instrument to play along and experiment with excerpts from elementary, middle, and high school string orchestra pieces!
Target Audience
String Teachers
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Felipe Morales-Torres
Bornoff Foundation for the Advancement of String Education (FASE)
Felipe Morales-Torres is an orchestra teacher, conductor, clinician, and researcher working to further liberation and healing through music education. He teaches string and symphony orchestras at Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto, CA. Felipe also serves as the Assistant Director of the Bornoff Foundation and manager of the FASE Diverse String Teachers Fellowship, using his 15 years of experience leading public school and community-based orchestra programs to support fellow teachers across the U.S. and Latin America. He was previously an instructor of instrumental music education at Northern Kentucky University and a conductor for the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestras, which earned various conference performances and national recognition for his diverse and progressive programming. Felipe frequently conducts region and all-state orchestra festivals, and currently serves on the national Conducting committee for the American String Teachers Association.