In Harmony With Math

During his growing-up years, musician Marcus Blackwell, Jr., says he was "math phobic".

Today, he's overcome that fear.  And he uses what he learned, about the connection between music and mathematics, to help other students succeed.

Marcus is the founder and CEO of Make Music Count, a unique educational curriculum based on teaching piano.  Students use the app to learn to play their favorite songs--and at the same time, they're learning math concepts.

Fractions, graphing, algebra and now, precalculus, are among the areas Make Music Count covers.   Approximately 60 schools are currently partnering with the program, and Marcus says he hopes to expand considerably in the future.  The program covers all levels of math, from third grade up to twelfth.

Marcus talked about his own struggles with math, how he came to invent Make Music Count and how the program works.
On this edition of Over Coffee®, you'll hear:

How music ultimately resulted in Marcus becoming comfortable with math;

How a great book and a surprise career assessment led him to create Make Music Count;

A "giving-back" experience and a leap of faith, that took his career to the next step;

How Make Music Count evolved from "something cool" to an education program;

How the app works;

The answer to a common question students ask about math, in the classroom;

Why the program is fun even for students who excel at math;

How the Make Music Count app measures effectiveness;

And, a math lesson, using an imaginary piano!;

Some of the resources Marcus recommends, to fellow education innovators;

What's involved, for schools and individuals who'd like to use the app;

One of Marcus's favorite experiences,with introducing Make Music Count in the schools;

Marcus's vision for the future.