DMA 20 Year Celebration
DMA 20 Year Celebration
by Kimberly Jones
In July 2004, I received a phone call from Layla Humphries, the founder of Dawson Music Academy (DMA). She was gathering a team of teachers who were not only talented musicians but also loved Jesus, and who wanted to be part of Dawson’s vision to create a place for musicians of all ages to grow in their musical talents. She invited me to join the team, and I wholeheartedly answered, "Yes!"
You see, for as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a teacher. I’ve always been fascinated by the important role that teachers play. Growing up, I was fortunate to have several remarkable Sunday School teachers who taught me not only the truth of God’s Word but also what it means to anchor my daily life in His promises. Their impact on my life is best summarized by the famous quote, “A teacher affects eternity; she can never tell where her influence stops” (Adams). The validity of that quote has gained clarity as I’ve grown older. The many hours that my Sunday School teachers invested preparing Sunday School lessons, teaching Sunday morning Bible studies, praying for me, talking with me, answering my questions, and encouraging me to follow God’s ways helped shape me into the person that I am today.
In addition to my desire to teach, I’ve always enjoyed music. As a child, I sang in children’s choir, took piano lessons, and played flute in the high school band. After graduating from Samford University with a degree in church music, God opened the door for me to combine my passion for teaching with my love for music.
Layla, also a Samford graduate, had a passion for sharing the joy of music, too. As a talented violinist, Layla played in Dawson’s Sanctuary Orchestra and served as an Instrumental Associate on Dawson’s staff. Bob Hatfield, Dawson’s Minister of Music at the time, and Layla wanted to expand Dawson’s thriving music ministry to include private music lessons. In August of 2004, with a vision to share the joy of music, Layla and Bob, together with the support of the Dawson Family of Faith, launched the ministry of Dawson Music Academy.
When the Academy began, one of the original goals was to provide a way to support musicians who were already leading worship at Dawson. With the important role that Dawson’s Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra held in leading worship each Sunday, the Academy provided a way to support musicians who were interested in improving their musical skills and in gaining confidence to lead in worship. Sometimes that might be a DMA voice teacher coaching a soloist for Sunday. Other times that might be providing weekly lessons for a flute player who wanted to join the Orchestra but had taken decades off since her high school days of playing.
In addition to supporting current musicians who were already connected at Dawson, another aspect of DMA’s ministry was focused on community outreach. The schools in our community are known for their excellent music programs, from elementary music programs to high school show choirs and marching bands. With a community so focused on music education, creating a music school on Dawson’s campus seemed like a wonderful idea. Providing music education resources through private lessons definitely had some positive benefits, but it was not the primary goal. The top goal was finding ways to build community outreach connections, and as the Lord provided opportunities, to share the good news of the Gospel.
Ministry
The mark of a teacher is powerful, having the opportunity not only to teach music but also to build meaningful relationships with students and their families. With private lessons, teachers have the opportunity to invest in students over the timespan of several years. As they connect with students, God provides opportunities to share Christ’s love in powerful ways. Teachers encourage students when they’re walking through tough seasons of life, but they also celebrate with them when they win the school talent show! Because of this important role that teachers play, each one of our Academy instructors not only has a passion for teaching music, but also has a growing relationship with Christ.
While our primary role remains to teach music (and not a Sunday School lesson) each week during lessons, we’re always amazed at the meaningful opportunities God provides for ministry. Sometimes that means sharing a Bible verse of encouragement with a student. Other times it might mean praying for or with a student and their family. Sometimes it’s just offering a listening ear and reminding a teenager that they’re not alone. And sometimes it’s helping a student get plugged in with Dawson discipleship ministries and watching the body of Christ minister in powerful ways!
One of the unique opportunities provided through music lessons at Dawson is the “open door” that we provide to families in our community. While there are many Dawson members who enjoy taking music lessons at the Academy, there are also many families who do not have a place that they currently call their church home. In fact, some of our students and their families have different faith beliefs or none at all. And for us, that’s okay. We think it’s an awesome mission field to be able to share the Good News of Jesus as opportunities arise. And it’s even more amazing to recognize that these students and their families have the opportunity to set foot inside Dawson’s campus every week and to be around the body of Christ. We may be the only “Jesus representatives” they see this week. Isn’t that awesome?
While some of these families may not yet be comfortable joining us for Sunday worship, they are comfortable attending music lessons on our campus. Our Academy team is constantly looking for ways to help these families experience more of what God has for them. With that goal in mind, we created what has now become one of our annual highlights for students: our Academy “Celebration Sunday” in November.
On Celebration Sunday, all Academy students are invited to join with Dawson’s Sanctuary Orchestra to lead in Sunday Worship. This special opportunity allows students to experience the unique role of playing with a live orchestra. It also allows students to see what it looks like to offer their talents to the Lord and to lead in worship. But, equally important, it provides an opportunity for families who may not ever set foot in a Sunday Worship service to see what it looks like to worship the one true, living God!
Celebrations
For the past 10 years, I have had the amazing privilege of serving as the Director of DMA. My favorite part of my job is watching students of all ages experience the joy of music. Starting as young as 6 months old, babies and their parents join us for Kindermusik classes. Joy fills the room as over 100 Kindermusik families sing, giggle, and dance each week.
The joy of music connects with students of all ages. Each week, our Academy welcomes over 300 private lesson students, from age 4 years old to 74 years old, to explore their musical talents. If you walk through the North Building or West Building on a weekday afternoon, you’ll hear a variety of beautiful instrument sounds: piano, flute, trombone, violin, cello, drums, guitar, voice, and more. You’ll also hear a variety of musical styles.
Some students are working with their teachers to prepare a song they’ll share in Worship this Sunday. Other students are working on a Show Choir audition song or selections that meet the All State Band requirements. Other students are playing classical favorites such as Vivaldi’s violin concertos or Bach’s famous inventions. Whatever the age of the student and whatever the style of music, our goal remains the same: support students in their musical talents while sharing Christ’s love.
In addition to private lessons, one of our favorite music adventures occurs each summer in July when we host over 250 preschool and elementary campers for our annual Summer Music Camp. During this exciting week, campers explore new musical skills, enjoy team spirit games, and celebrate God’s faithfulness during daily Worship Rally. Similarly, our Ignite Student Bands provide opportunities for elementary, middle school, and high school students to grow in musical skills as well as worship leadership opportunities. Watching the younger generation grow in their musical gifts while also learning biblical truths is truly amazing!
Looking ahead
Celebrating 20 years is an exciting benchmark for DMA! There’s not enough space in these pages to share all of the stories of student lives that have been impacted by the Gospel or all of the stories of young musicians who have grown up to be worship leaders, music teachers, symphony players, and much more. And God is still writing the story of our continued ministry for many years to come!
Our Academy teachers, students, and families are extremely grateful to the Dawson Family of Faith for your ongoing belief and support of our ministry and vision. Thank you to the many Dawson members who have been part of our journey from the very beginning. And a special thanks to those of you who have offered a warm Dawson welcome to Academy families who cross your path during special ministry opportunities. Without your support, our ministry reach would be very limited. As we look ahead for future opportunities, please join us in praying for teachers, students, and families to experience not only the joy of music, but also the power of the Gospel.
Since the beginning of DMA in 2004, a focus of our Academy has been sharing the joy of music. It is truly a joy to share the gift of music and the Good News of Christ with our community! The psalmist summarizes that goal well with the proclamation found in Psalm 150:6, “Let everything that has breath praise
the Lord.”
If you are interested in learning more about the ministry of Dawson Music Academy, please email Kimberly Jones at kjones@dawsonchurch.org.
Before becoming Director, Kimberly Jones taught piano and voice with the Dawson Music Academy. Previously, Kimberly served as an educator in the Homewood City Schools for 14 years. She is married to Greg, and they have one son, Garrett.