Jesse Mell
After graduating Temple University with highest honors in 2003, Jesse Mell began his career as Philadelphia public schools’ first drumline specialist. His task was simple, yet monumental at the same time: build drumline programs from scratch with rosters of beginning drummers. Jesse has been fulfilling this task for 20+ years in a unique way: designing and implementing learning systems simple enough for kids to navigate on their own, yet fundamentally sound enough to take them to the highest levels of performance; forming connections with communities; and advocating for community-based artists to teach alongside certified educators in schools across Philadelphia. Jesse even founded his own organization, Mad Beatz Philly, to connect Philadelphia’s best young drummers with opportunities to become professional performers and teachers.
Jesse’s service to the Philadelphia school district has spanned a wide range of roles and responsibilities, from festival coordinator to band director, from drumline specialist to K-5 classroom music teacher. Jesse particularly enjoyed his time as a classroom music teacher because it taught him how to make music joyfully with younger students, helping him access his inner nature as a happy, creative spirit. When he brought this joyful energy to middle and high school drumline programs, his curriculum and pedagogy evolved: “I found there was no separation between joyful learning and excellence; the key is inspiring students to immerse themselves fully in their own music-making.”
Jesse designed the Food bEatz rhythm learning and improvisation systems in 2010 to connect university-trained educators’ theoretical understanding with students’ intrinsic understanding of music. In 2021, Jesse met Travien at Carver High School’s graduation ceremony; several months later, Jesse asked Travien to co-found Food bEatz, LLC to develop Jesse’s learning systems into classroom resources and methods. Since that time, Food bEatz has partnered with after-school and summer programs across Philadelphia to train and support 11 emerging BIPOC educators in competitively-paid teaching jobs. Together, Jesse, Travien, and Food bEatz are doing their part to diversify music education in Philadelphia and beyond.