We’re looking forward to introducing you to Georgia English. Check out our conversation below.
Georgia, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: When was the last time you felt true joy?
Every morning I am filled with true joy when I pet my ridiculous dog!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I grew up in San Francisco and attended Berklee College of Music in Boston. I followed that chapter with nearly a decade in Nashville where I worked as a music teacher, working musician, and nonprofit professional.
When my husband Kaston Guffey (of the band My Politic) and I moved up to Pittsburgh, I launched our music education non-profit, You Be You Inc.
The goal since the beginning has been to to integrate our values of inclusion and accessibility to musical expression into community spaces and break barriers to participation. We provide group classes including a children’s chorus, a beat-making club, youth bands, and so much more. Music is inextricably linked with liberatory practices, and we believe that a music education is not thorough without the sociocultural and historical contexts surrounding songs, artists, and musical traditions. We have developed a music book library with a weekly theme, cozy reading nooks, sensory stations, and more.
We recognize that community music practices, when participatory barriers are solved for, can create space for community resourcing. In partnership with local refugee and recent immigrant supporting organization Be Our Neighbor, who we house in our space, we are able to offer expansive mutual aid effort (hygiene closet, food, clothing, and more). When people are gathered, we can support each other!
As a team, we seek to change the narrative and gatekeeping around who is worthy of musical expression. Our programs are social-emotional learning aligned, creativity-powered, strives for anti-oppressive approaches, and built on research that supports healthy identity formation. We are dedicated to lifelong learning with a staff continuing education library (with books about liberatory education practices, musical approaches, and literature about serving our most vulnerable kids.
As a songwriter (and team of songwriting staff), lots of songwriting, composition, music production is integrated into our curriculum. We are also uniquely trained and equipped to provide play-based early childhood music instruction that supports a lifetime of meaningful musical connection.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
In seventh grade, my band Sit Down and Shut Up performed in front of our entire middle school. I played a forest green stratocaster and played the second guitar solo in Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb. I felt like everyone knew me better in that moment, and I felt self-possessed and capable. I remember being unable to sleep that night because all I could think about was how I would chase this buzz the rest of my life. When my students now play their first gigs, I see that same experience from time to time.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Play more. Practice more. Get curious. Lay off the reefer until your pre-frontal cortex is formed!
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. I could not fake it if I tried.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I do what I was born to do. I’ve never been great with directions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.youbeyoumusic.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/youbeyoumusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youbeyouinc
- Other: www.georgiaenglishmusic.com
(for my music)
Image Credits
Garrick Schmitt
Molly Lins
Georgia English
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
