Education student pursues passion for helping future generations discover love of music

Lauren Anderson didn’t just find her voice at Auburn’s College of Education — she discovered her purpose. 

From leading impromptu music lessons as a child to championing music education through her own initiative, Project Crescendo, the junior Music Education major is turning her passion into a mission: to create classrooms where music inspires confidence, community and joy.

“I am majoring in Music Education because I want to make a positive impact on students and help them achieve and discover more about music,” Anderson said. “I have always been passionate about music and often found myself leading class whenever my teacher was away. Substitutes and other teachers began to notice that teaching music was a hidden talent I had always possessed." 

Her vision for the classroom goes beyond teaching notes and rhythms.

 “The choir room was always my safe space, and I want to create that same environment for my students — one filled with fun, lasting memories, life skills, community and musical growth,” she said.

Anderson believes music education should be accessible to every child because of its transformative power. She said music is healing and teaches students how to express and understand emotions.

“It also integrates elements from other subjects such as math, history, physical education, science and reading,” she said.

Hands-On Experience from Day One

Anderson’s time at Auburn has been filled with opportunities to teach and learn. She said her favorite part of the Music Education program in Auburn’s College of Education has been the abundance of opportunities and experiences she’s had in the classroom. She said she was pleasantly surprised to learn she would be teaching music at a local school her freshman year. 

“During my time at Auburn, I’ve had the opportunity to teach Pre-K, Kindergarten, second, third and fourth grade, as well as observe middle school and high school choir programs,” she said. “I love that Auburn emphasizes hands-on experience from the very beginning and continues to build on that throughout the program.”

Each week, she leads 30-minute lessons focused on music creation and community building. These experiences have taught her adaptability.

“Being in the classroom has challenged me to adapt and think on my feet, since lessons on paper don’t always go exactly as planned,” she said. “These moments have helped me discover my strength in improvising and adjusting to meet my students’ needs and interests.”

Accomplishments and Advocacy

Anderson’s achievements reflect her dedication. She said that some of her most exciting accomplishments at Auburn include her receiving an annual music scholarship after auditioning for Auburn’s Music Program, having served as a Resident Assistant in the Village for the past two years and winning the Mallory Hagan Talent Award, which included a $300 scholarship at this year’s Miss Auburn University Scholarship Pageant. She also takes pride in maintaining a high GPA and, most recently, conquering piano classes with no prior experience.

Her advocacy for music education led to the creation of Project Crescendo, an initiative born from a speech class assignment.

“Through my research, I discovered the alarming statistics about the lack of music education in school systems across America,” Anderson said.

She added that a recent study by the Arts Education Data Project found that while 92% of public-school students have access to music education, more than 3.6 million students do not. According to the Alabama State Council on the Arts, 76% of students living in rural areas of Alabama have minimal to no access to arts education. She said instruments, sheet music, materials and technology quickly add up in cost, and many teachers say their classrooms would simply disappear without fundraisers to keep their programs alive.

“I am working closely with other music education majors to grow and develop this project beyond the areas I am currently serving,” she said. “On Monday mornings, I teach two Kindergarten classes at Chambers Academy — a school 30 minutes away with no music classes — where I present new music lessons each week in hopes of sparking a noticeable need for music education at the school.

“I also created an Instagram page for Project Crescendo to educate the public on the importance of music education, highlight Auburn students who have been positively impacted by music and celebrate Auburn alumni who either grew up with music education or now work in music-related careers.” 

Anderson said her work at the kindergarten classes at Chambers Academy has already started showing results.

“Through lessons about steady beat, instrument families and movement in music, I have watched the kids grow and develop a love and excitement for music,” she said.

A Pageant with Purpose

Anderson’s passion recently took center stage at the Miss Auburn University Scholarship Pageant. The competition consisted of five categories: Judges Interview, On-Stage Question, Fitness, Talent and Evening Gown. Performing “The Lady’s Improving” from The Prom earned Anderson the Mallory Hagan Talent Award. 

“Standing among 11 incredibly talented contestants, I felt so proud and grateful for the experience, and it is something I will never forget,” she said.

As for the future, Anderson plans to participate in the Disney College Program before returning to the classroom.

“Once my college program concludes, I plan to teach high school choir and music classes,” she said.

And when asked what she loves most about Auburn, Anderson doesn’t hesitate: “The environment and the people who make it feel like home. Even though I’ve only been here for three years, I feel as if I’ve known this place my whole life.”