
About this Resource
We have great news to share!
There are a multitude of exciting musical pursuits beyond high school for a lifetime of active engagement. These include innovative musical career paths, dedicated music programs, research-creation projects and centres, community music-making opportunities, and recreation and leisure activities.
The Music Pathways Project (TMPP) is a living resource to support students who are passionate about music. Learn about the diverse options available to them as they consider post-secondary steps. We invite students, educators, guidance counsellors, and parents to explore this resource dedicated to helping them imagine the possibilities.
About the Music Pathways Project
The Music Pathways Project emerged from reflections of my time with post-secondary students at the University of Toronto Scarborough. After years of positive music experiences in their secondary school programs and through making music with their friends, families, and communities, many found themselves at a loss when taking the leap from high school to adulthood. They would come to my office desperately wanting to continue their involvement with music, but held deep uncertainties as to how.
– Lynn Tucker
With various pressures to pursue other disciplines, many believed their music days were behind them; they could not see how to maintain their interests alongside their studies and other work and familial obligations. I spent countless hours meeting with students, and on occasion parents, sharing with them the many music paths students can follow upon graduation, igniting their imaginations and reopening the door to the possibilities.
I often thought: Could this look differently if conversations happened earlier? What if students had the necessary information available to them so they could make more informed decisions?
TMPP is designed to disrupt the long-standing narrative regarding music-related careers and engagement, and address these challenges with relevant and up-to-date resources.
The early days of this project began with a dedicated volunteer team of UTSC students and alumni: Christina Beharry, Tai Chan, Eunillyne Lazado, and Angela Tran. They readily shared their lived experiences regarding their post-secondary discipline choices and how keeping music in the mix was a challenge. They each found their own unique path and generously engaged with the work to ensure future students were equipped with the necessary information so they could see a broader scope of music options available to them as they took their first steps in establishing their careers. We are grateful for their many efforts in building a strong foundation upon which the current project grows.
Today, we continue The Music Pathways Project evolution and are informed by the amazing work of conversations such as those being led by SoundLife Scarborough, a vibrant research centre at the University of Toronto Scarborough. This includes two recent forums that focused on accessible music pathways (May 2023; March 2024).