TED Community » Jennifer Kessler

About Me

Currently in the Sistema Fellows program (formerly Abreu Fellows, a program initially founded through a TED Prize to Jose Antonio Abreu) at the New England Conservatory, I am immersed in exploring music for social change programs. I am a French horn player by training, having studied in Chicago and Berlin, and performed professionally in multiple orchestras and festivals in Europe, Asia, Israel, and the U.S. Since 2008, I have worked in music and arts education in New York City, for organizations including Carnegie Hall and Bang on a Can. As the organizer of TEDxNewYork, I enjoy helping to connect people from diverse fields with one another around ideas worth spreading.

Location:
United States, Brooklyn, NY
Current organization:
Sistema Fellows (Abreu Fellows)
Past organizations:
New England Conservatory
Gender:
Female
Areas of expertise:
Music Performance, Music Teaching, arts and education programming, El Sistema - Music for Social Change

TEDCRED 500+ TEDx Organizer

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Live music (jazz, classical, rock); Yoga; Traveling; Giving children an opportunity to thrive in their lives; Family and friends

An idea worth spreading

I'm writing this from Venezuela, the home of the extraordinary music for social change program, El Sistema (whose founder, Jose Antonio Abreu, was awarded a TED Prize). I see children in the most dire circumstances here playing music in orchestras, choirs, and folk ensembles, and from every teacher and administrator I've spoken with who has gone through this program, the tales are true: music really HAS changed their lives, and it is changing the lives of the children participating in the program now. The idea worth spreading: give a child an instrument, have him play in ensembles as often as possible, and show him how to teach his friends.

Talk to me about

Recommendations for great live music (Classical, Jazz, Rock), El Sistema, Yoga, Youth Development, Berlin, TEDxNewYork

People don't know that I'm good at

Salsa dancing, singing harmonies

My TED Story

I was drawn to TED in 2010, the first time I watched Sir Ken Robinson's TED talk. Ever since, I've been hooked. I started attending the TEDxNewYork salons, curated by DonMcKinney and Chel O'Reilly, and eventually took on more of an organizational role (full-time in 2011). I've been deeply grateful to share ideas and questions around many TED talks, and to meet so many fascinating people, in our wonderful TEDxNewYork community.

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