Dawn Schafer, Teacher and Author: Developing Young Minds for Music Appreciation

By Melissa Orsak

Five-year-old Dawn Schafer was inspired to pursue music while watching her gifted jazz pianist grandfather play. She remembers sitting at her grandfather’s piano and mimicking his tunes as she taught a pretend class. She went on to receive degrees in Music Education with a bachelor’s degree at Hartt School of Music and a master’s at Boston University. Schafer wanted to “bring the gift of music to children.”

Schafer is a phenomenal Music Teacher at Sycamore Springs Middle School in Dripping Springs, Texas. She has taught all grade levels and local choral groups across the country for almost 30 years. Schafer has a passion for music and a desire to bless children’s lives through music beyond the classroom. While being a teacher has a lasting impact, she desired to inspire more people.

In addition to teaching school, Schafer dedicates her time and talents to serving as an assistant director, website manager, and stakeholder communicator for the Austin Children’s Choir. The Austin Children’s Choir is a nonprofit organization that invites all children to gather, sing, learn, improve, and perform, blessing the community with their talents.

During COVID-19, Schafer sensed a need to inspire families to create music in any space with whatever resources they had. So, she created a children’s book series, The Valiant Quests of the Knights of Musical Acres. The series encourages children to push past obstacles and find joy in creating their own music with everyone around them. Schafer beautifully orchestrates her job with her passion and dreams, harmoniously inspiring children across the globe.

Schafer wants everyone to have the opportunity to feel the transforming power of music. It can “calm, inspire, and give us a beautiful soundtrack for our lives.” Encourage those around you to support Schafer by getting involved with the Austin Children’s Choir. You can serve alongside them, donate financial support, invite the choir to sing at a venue or add your children’s voice to their choir. You can also support her passion by purchasing her books, The Valiant Quests of the Knights of Musical Acres, on Amazon. com or BookBaby Booksellers at https://store.bookbaby.com/book/ the-valiant-questsof-the-knights-ofmusical-acres. Find more information on her website at www.dawnmschafer.com.

Dawn Schafer’s life’s quest is one with many paths all pointing towards the same symphonic goal, to bring people together through the marvels of music. Find your inner voice and share this joy with those you love by adding your support and encouraging others to make music.