Earlier this year, VH1 Save the Music Foundation contacted the Baltimore School for the Arts regarding a musical arts workshop designed to expose students to music education in schools. Dr. Christopher Ford, department head for music at BSA, was asked to nominate two students to attend the workshop called the White House Arts Series in Washington, D.C. with Michelle Obama. The selection process, says Ford, did not come easily.
“I wanted somebody who was a good student and had a repertoire ready to play,” he said. “Being a good citizen in the school, being prepared and being engaged was what I was looking for.”
After careful examination, Nana Adjeiwaa-Manu, 14, and David Kalwa, 17, were selected to participate in the day-long seminar. They met with nearly 120 art students across the nation to partake in a noteworthy event where master musicians including violinist Joshua Bell, cellist Alisa Weilerstein, guitarist Sharon Isbin and pianist Awadagin Pratt who taught them how to use their instruments more effectively.
“It’s been very helpful. With music you have to think deeply, just like with academics. Music has not affected me negatively at all,” said Adjeiwaa-Manu, who began playing the cello when she was seven. She was introduced to the instrument by her best friend and immediately found interest. She has been playing it ever since.
Kalwa, who plays the guitar, drew his inspiration for music from bands he listened to in middle school. In nine years, he has gone from playing the electric guitar in his room to performing classical music in the East Room of the White House.
“I was a little nervous because I didn’t know what to expect,” said Kalwa. He recollected walking anxiously into the President’s house and noticing the first two floors were given over to him and other students to learn about music. “I wasn’t as nervous after I met the other students,” he said with a nostalgic laugh.
After completing workshops, the students were led to a conference room where Obama offered insight on music’s influence in their lives. "You'll learn that if you believe in yourself and put in your best effort, that there's nothing you can't achieve; and those aren't just lessons about music, these are really lessons about life," she said.
Even educators were amazed by her sincere words.
“It was completely unforgettable,” said Ford. “I was so happy to have that opportunity.”
The White House has held the Music Series three times before, which was launched to pay homage and observe musical education. Past events have specialized in classical, jazz, country and Latin music.
The VH1 Save the Music Foundation’s ongoing relationship with Baltimore City’s public schools sponsored the trip to Washington, D.C. The nonprofit organization is devoted to revive instrumental music education programs in American public schools and raise appreciation of music’s impact in children’s lives.
Adjeiwaa-Manu, a sophomore at BSA, plans on becoming an ethnomusicologist, a person who studies music of different cultures.
Kalwa has his sights on attending The Juilliard School, The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University or the Manhattan School of Music when he graduates next year. He has been preparing for upcoming auditions since early 2008.
“It’s been very helpful. With music you have to think deeply, just like with academics. Music has not affected me negatively at all,” said Adjeiwaa-Manu, who began playing the cello when she was seven. She was introduced to the instrument by her best friend and immediately found interest. She has been playing it ever since. 
“I was a little nervous because I didn’t know what to expect,” said Kalwa. He recollected walking anxiously into the President’s house and noticing the first two floors were given over to him and other students to learn about music. “I wasn’t as nervous after I met the other students,” he said with a nostalgic laugh. 
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