Music Matters
Research consistently shows that music education profoundly impacts student achievement and long-term success. More than an art form, music is a catalyst for creativity, resilience, and emotional well-being. By investing in music education, we enhance academic performance while equipping students with essential life skills like perseverance, problem-solving, and self-confidence—building a foundation for lifelong learning success both inside and beyond the classroom. Music has been my anchor through life’s challenges. Growing up in a broken home, picking up the guitar as a teenager gave me a sense of identity, a creative outlet, and a way to ground myself amidst the confusion and chaos. Fast-forward to the pandemic and its emotional toll, I sought refuge in my most trusted ally—and once again, music provided the grounding and well-being I desperately needed. This personal journey drives our mission: to deliver high-quality, accessible music education to Colorado’s youth through innovative mobile classrooms, breaking down accessibility barriers and inspiring every student to find their creative voice. With every step toward launching our first mobile classroom, every partnership we build, and every plan we refine, we are creating pathways to nurture future leaders and changemakers, fostering confidence, collaboration, and lifelong learning. We invite you to join us on this exciting journey. Together, we can build a future where every young person in our state has the opportunity to thrive— in school, in music, in society, and in life.
Building Brighter Futures One Note at a Time
Music is more than a creative outlet — it’s a catalyst for growth, resilience, and discovery. In classrooms across the country, students who have access to high-quality music education consistently show stronger academic achievement, greater emotional resilience, and stronger social connections. When a child picks up an instrument or raises their voice in song, they’re not just learning notes or rhythms — they’re learning how to listen deeply, how to persevere when something is challenging, and how to express complex feelings in healthy, meaningful ways. These experiences build life skills that extend far beyond the classroom or the concert stage. At In Tune, we believe that music education is not a luxury — it’s essential. We know that students who engage with music are better prepared for the demands of the future. They are more creative thinkers, stronger collaborators, and more confident problem-solvers. Music teaches grit, compassion, focus, and leadership — the very traits our world needs more of. When we invest in music education, we invest in the future of our communities. Every child deserves the chance to discover their creative voice, to feel the pride of learning something new, and to experience the joy of making music together. That’s the future we’re working toward — one note, one bus, one student at a time.
Why Music Belongs at the Center of Childhood Education
In today’s fast-moving and often overwhelming world, children need more than just textbooks and test scores – they need spaces that nurture creativity, emotional resilience, and authentic connection. Music does exactly that. Studies have consistently shown that students involved in music programs perform better academically, particularly in math, reading comprehension, and critical thinking. But the real magic of music education goes even deeper. Music teaches patience, builds discipline, fosters emotional regulation, and strengthens social bonds. It gives students a way to process their experiences and navigate the complexities of growing up. Despite the overwhelming evidence of its benefits, music is often the first program to be cut when school budgets shrink. At In Tune, we reject the idea that music is expendable. We see it as foundational – not just to a well-rounded education, but to a well-rounded life. Music offers students something steady in a world that can feel unstable. It gives them a place to belong, a way to be heard, and a path toward confidence and self-expression. By embedding music into the fabric of childhood education, we aren’t just creating musicians – we’re nurturing a generation of leaders, dreamers, and changemakers.
Beyond the Classroom
When you think back to your school years, it’s rarely the tests or grades you remember. It’s the moments — the first time you performed on stage, the choir trip with friends, the guitar you couldn’t put down after school. Music stays with us because it taps into the most human parts of who we are: creativity, emotion, connection. Beyond its personal impact, music education strengthens neural pathways, boosts memory retention, and builds social-emotional skills that are critical to success in every area of life. Students who engage with music are not only more academically prepared — they are more empathetic, better at working in teams, and more resilient in the face of challenges. At In Tune, we’re committed to ensuring that every young person — no matter their background, neighborhood, or circumstances — has access to the transformative power of music. Through our mobile classrooms and culturally responsive programming, we are taking music directly to the students who need it most, removing barriers, and opening doors. Because music doesn’t just change an afternoon or a semester — it changes lives. It reminds young people that they are creative, they are capable, and they are connected to something larger than themselves. When we invest in music education, we invest in futures filled with possibility, hope, and harmony.
Creating Goals
When you make a choice, you change the future. – Deepak Chopra Traditionally, the time for discussing goals or dreams for the future is around New Years Eve and the month of January. We make resolutions and commit to new habits but while exciting initially, the reality is that most people do not stick to those resolutions. According to a study completed by Forbes.com, over 55% of people do not keep their self proclaimed goals for the entire year. When we make a decision to set a goal, resolve to do something new, or chase a dream, there needs to be a catalyst that spurs us into action. When you identify why you are inspired and truly grasp what motivates you, it will allow you to persevere when the initial excitement dissipates. Accomplishing tasks and moving forward in your life takes time. Usually it is not the flip of a switch or luck of the draw. It requires consistent effort over time. It is a constant decision to take the next small step and asking yourself if each step is getting you closer or further away from the desired end result. You are in control of your efforts and you get to write the story you are living. Be inspired. Be motivated. Be excited! And then do something about it. Define the goal with an attainable end result. Decide how you will know when you have accomplished the goal. Ask yourself, “what does success look like?” Give yourself a timeline for completion. Without a deadline, there is no urgency to prioritize the tasks and the goal will likely never come to fruition. My biggest caution that I will share from countless examples in my own life is to be realistic with your goals. I am not saying that you can’t have big dreams! Have you met me? I’m the queen of big dreams. But the smaller, bite sized goals that will help you reach those giant dreams must be realistic for the timeline you have set. A quick example is from a personal finance client I recently worked with to eliminate debt. She had a mountain of debt and wanted to clear it up as quickly as possible which is a great dream but there are steps that must be taken to achieve this big task. We broke it down into weekly goals. Instead of focusing on over $76k in debt and getting overwhelmed, her job was to find an extra $250 each week. Some weeks she was able to sell a piece of old furniture or outdoor equipment. Other weeks, she picked up a couple extra hours of work. This woman also had some larger assets and even though it took longer than a week, she was able to sell a $20k trailer and immediately knocked off a big chunk of the debt which was not only exciting but also motivating and kept the momentum going. Big dreams are accomplished by making a choice, defining attainable goals, and continually working toward a better future. To start making tiny changes to achieve remarkable results, I’d recommend reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. If you need specific encouragement, accountability, or guidance for your next steps, contact me. I’d love the opportunity to lift you up. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which are not a penny more for you. I couldn’t be more grateful for your support!
Grit
Hey, it’s Lauren! I wanted to talk to you today about an experience, or multiple experiences, that I have had recently. There were stuck trucks, jackknifed trailers, and severe icy conditions. The skills that I learned during this wintery week are probably skills that I will not use on a regular basis. I will, however, use the gritty mental skills that were required through the whole process every day. For me personally, it is very difficult to ask for help. I like to do things for myself and on my own. The skill of knowing when to ask for help is invaluable. Realistically, we can’t do everything ourselves. Over the last week of challenges, I have had to call upon my entire network for help and education as I problem solve my way through the icy conditions and vehicle challenges. Getting stuck on an icy hill with minimal traction and a heavy load of hay, horses, or other loads, is precarious and a little scary. I didn’t have a winch, sand, and other practical tools for getting unstuck. It was just me, a pair of chains, and a shovel. I learned how to use tire chains and called upon all the laws of physics to get unstuck on multiple occasions. Over the course of a week, I put these new skills to use on more than one occasion at each time I found myself thinking, “ OK, this has to get done and I’m the one to do it. There are no other options. I have the knowledge and the skill to make it happen but there is no one else here so figure it out.” Oftentimes in business, we, as business owners, find ourselves in this lonely place of feeling like there are no other options, it’s an impossible task or goal, and it would be easier to give up or at least wait for the ice to melt in the spring! In that moment, you need to dig deep and find your gritty inner self to really focus and move forward one baby step at a time. When you can’t do everything, do everything that you can. Know who your resources are. Know when to call for help. Know that you aren’t truly alone, even if it seems so at that moment. You were made to do hard things. It is in your DNA to overcome obstacles and challenges. It’s OK to flex your muscles and be powerful, conquering the hard things in life. Allow yourself the ability to think outside the box, be creative, and problem solve in a way that shows off how amazing you truly are. Don’t be afraid to dig deeper than you even knew was possible. You can do whatever is required to move forward even just an inch. When it all seems impossible, grit your teeth, ask for help if you need it, and push forward just that little extra bit because you are capable of big, amazing things. Whether you are learning how to put tire chains on a very stuck truck or you are solving expensive problems in your business, learn the skills, get gritty, and be successful.
Get MO!
“Good enough to move on” There are times in our lives when we just need to keep moving forward. Whatever we are working on needs to be good enough to move on and keep progressing forward. It doesn’t need to be perfect, just needs to be done. We need to ask the question of ourselves about what we can control versus what we can’t. When we can’t do everything, we need to focus on doing everything we can. Thinking fast and sorting through all of the options does not mean that we need to act quickly. It is a skill to think fast and act slowly, act calmly, and act rationally. It is a skill to respond rather than react. When we are doing everything we can, we must give a perfect effort. Perfect effort does not mean perfection, but rather having integrity about the effort we present to the task. Slowing down is not the same as calming down but by staying calm, it is easier to make decisions. The brain equates safety with slow and predictable responses, rather than spontaneous reactions. “Good enough to move on” sometimes means that we need to let go of what can hurt us. The law of subtraction says that sometimes subtracting something might make the situation better. This might mean subtracting yourself from a toxic situation but it also might mean cutting your losses on an endeavor that has drained your energy, resources, and time. If you gave a perfect effort, be ok with the outcome, even if it isn’t what you had hoped it would be. There is no strength without struggle. If your struggles are mental, you must train mentally. If your struggles are physical, you must train physically. It is important to train for more than what is going to be expected so that you can approach the task with confidence. We as humans are more prone to seeing the negatives in the world than the positives. If we train ourselves to see the bright and shiny, however, it becomes easier. On average, there are 3x more positive things in our life than negative but it is 5x easier to find the negatives. You get to write your own story. You get to decide how you are going to respond to the world. You get to choose when it’s good enough to move on.
The Go-Giver
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 I recently read a book called The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann. This book made a huge impact on how I approach the world and the people around me. My whole life has been centered around doing things on my own, being a strong and independent woman, not relying on others to get ahead. It was not only a lonely path but I quickly discovered that it doesn’t matter how amazing I am, it still will never be “enough” to reach the level of success I thought I should reach. The first chapter of the book started talking about a man who had a similar mindset. He would do whatever it took to reach his deadlines. Joe is his name, and he strikes me as the kind of person who has to work hard for everything he gets in life. Nothing is handed to him and nothing is easy. He’s an ambitious go-getter. Like me! I don’t want to give away the entire book – it’s short, sweet, and an incredibly easy read – but the cliff notes that I do want to share are essentially that the world treats you more or less how you expect to be treated. This concept doesn’t seem like rocket science but it isn’t a simple idea either. How do you expect to be treated? Do you expect to be respected for your clout and resume or be recognized for how you treat others? Do you expect to be belittled or empowered? This question stumped me. The “Five Laws of Stratospheric Success” are logical and simple but they are not easy. The law of value, meaning that “your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment,” made me realize that when we under promise and over deliver, the perception is that we offer more value. The law of compensation tracked along the same line that our income is determined by how many people we serve and how well we serve them. These first two concepts made sense to me. Basic math and simple ideas. The law of influence, “determined by how abundantly you place other people’s interests first,” hit me hard! I’ve spent years developing a network of people but never thought of them as an “army of personal walking ambassadors” who are personally invested in seeing me succeed. The part about this law that challenged me was the requirement to stop keeping score. How am I supposed to know who to help next if I don’t know what the scorecard says and who I owe favors to? As soon as I stopped keeping track of what others have done for me and what I’ve sacrificed for them, I immediately noticed that I was happier and more engaged in the present moment. The last two laws, the law of authenticity and the law of receptivity, rocked my world in such a positive way that I forgot that I was trying to be an independent and, frankly, a selfish person on the path to success! Authenticity is about being real and about recognizing that you are a valuable gift to those around you. The law of receptivity was a big deal for me because I had never really allowed myself to ask for help or accept the generosity of others. I always thought I had to do it myself which is most certainly not the case! I have always been good at giving and helping others but according to this little book, the key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving. It’s always interesting to finish a book that has so much incredible content because as you close the back cover, you are faced with a crossroad of actually doing something with the content or moving on without applying it. I chose to meditate on these principles which has, in turn, shaped “Hey, It’s Lauren” and my interactions with the rest of the world. In a way that is authentic and valuable, I choose to lift up others to make the world a better place. It is my goal in life to straighten the crown of others when they need a little extra help without highlighting shortcomings for the world to see. Order your copy here: The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which are not a penny more for you. I couldn’t be more grateful for your support!
Integrity
My goal for 2023 is to focus on integrity. Integrity is an interesting concept because it should be common and yet is not. It is a word that has a weird connotation. In many aspects, it is a word that creates feelings of guilt and shame. On the other hand, the word integrity can be inspirational and encourage us, or empower us to step up our game and be better. Holding ourselves accountable to our word and the expectations set for us is the definition of integrity. So often we encounter people who do not act with integrity and it ends up feeling scummy. It is difficult to trust people who don’t act with integrity and hold themselves accountable showing that they are indeed trustworthy. Having integrity is doing the right thing when no one else is watching, when it’s not a performance, and when the only one who will know what actually happened is yourself and God. The lines of what is right and wrong have gotten blurred over the many generations since God’s 10 commandments were inscribed on stone tablets, however it is not as complicated as we sometimes make it seem. When you promise to do something, it is your responsibility to accomplish the task. If you are unable to do so for whatever reason, speak up and communicate the change in expectations. If you have clients and they expect a correctly completed project but you cut corners, it is true that they may never find out but the point is that it was completed without the highest level of integrity which then could lead to disastrous consequences and distrust. The golden rule is to treat others the way you want to be treated. Whether it is treating other people a certain way, completing a project, or following through on a promise, it is essential that we care enough, respect ourselves enough, and respect others enough to do what is right from start to finish. We are of course all just human and we do make mistakes, but there is a difference between making mistakes and cheating the system. My advice, for what it’s worth, is to listen to the nagging thought in the back of your mind, take the extra minute or two, and respect yourself, the client, and the work to do the right thing to the best of your ability. From Frozen 2: “Then I’ll make the choice to hear that voice and do the next right thing.”
Strength in Silence
“You are stronger than you believe. You have greater powers than you know.” – General Antiope from “Wonder Woman Riding horses is one of the greatest privileges on this earth. Each day at the barn, I have the opportunity to work with these individual, free-thinking, and majestic creatures. Every horse, however, reminds me on one occasion or another that they could spook or otherwise embrace their natural flight instincts instead of looking to me for guidance. It is my job to be strong. It is my job to think past the scary plastic bag crinkling in the wind. It is my job to convince a 1,200 lb fearful animal that I am not afraid and therefore they shouldn’t be either. I know, it’s sometimes easier said than done, but “you have greater powers than you know.” The same can be said for interacting with society. We have the incredible opportunity to interact with other humans on a daily basis and yet so often we do not recognize how powerful we are. With one seemingly simple word, we can change the entire course of someone’s life. We can use that power for good or evil, and sometimes we may not even realize it’s an impactful moment in time. What may be a spontaneous reaction could be devastating to another person or, quite possibly, be the open door they were needing for the rest of their life to begin. I will challenge you to be quick to think but slow to speak. Be ok with 10 seconds of silence as you formulate your answer, response, or follow up question. Take a moment to think about the possible consequences, whether positive or negative, and weigh the risks and benefits of what you’re about to say. Also, notice if the other person is uncomfortable with the small pause and ask yourself why. There is strength, power, knowledge, and wisdom in that moment of silence and whether you are dealing with a flight animal or a flighty human, remember that you are stronger than you believe and have greater powers than you know.
