Quail Valley students perform as teacher urges continued Prop 28 support for music programs

Quail Valley Middle School students performed for the Snowline Joint Unified School District Board as Principal Andrea Bartlett introduced teacher Johnny Dolan and said the site will ‘set the bar’ for arts instruction this year.

Dolan told the board he focuses on “values and the lifelong skills one may learn through music,” adding, “I don't teach music, I teach people.” He described music classes as a place where students can have fun, learn rigor and build community, and he cited research on social connection and attendance when connecting arts to academic outcomes.

Dolan told trustees that studies show heavy phone use correlates with anxiety and depression among teenagers and said music provides an alternative that increases attendance and social connection. “When we have fun in this class, my goal regardless of what we are learning is I want them to be interested, excited, and passionate,” he said.

Bartlett and Dolan described Quail Valley’s ensemble structure — band ensembles on one side of the program and piano, guitar and choir on the other — and said the school provides instruments in class while many students also own their own.

Board members asked about instrument ownership and program growth. Dolan said classes have a guitar and piano available per student as necessary on enrollment. Trustees praised the presentation and encouraged continued district support of arts programming.

The presentation came as the board continues districtwide planning for Measure J modernization projects and other budget priorities that include maintaining and expanding arts and extracurricular opportunities.