Connecting Kids Through Songwriting

I am writing this on the eve of our Metro Nashville Public School EP release, I Believe, I Belong, featuring our incredible educators and talented students. I feel so blessed to lead the MNPS Songwriting Summit—an experience that unites music teachers, students, families, and music industry professionals with one collective purpose: creating music that connects with our young people and tells their stories.

This is the second year of the Summit, and it’s already becoming one of my favorite MNPS traditions. Last year, we produced the district anthem Every Student Known, a powerful song that captured the heart of our mission. You can watch the behind-the-scenes story of that process here. That experience set the bar high—and this year, we raised it even higher.

Approaching Year Two

In one of our early planning meetings for this year’s Summit, I challenged our talented educators to write songs that centered on three themes: affirmation, belonging, and community. I asked them to think deeply about what our students needed to hear, feel, and know about themselves. When the submissions came in, I’ll be honest—I sat at my desk with tears in my eyes. These were more than songs. They were love letters to our students.

This opportunity was open to all students of MNPS. Every single one who signed up was accepted. Our teachers have a gift for finding the magic within each student, whether they’ve been performing for years or are stepping into the spotlight for the first time.

When the students arrived at the Summit, the songs were ready on paper, but the heart of the music was still waiting for them. They didn’t spend hours writing lyrics or chord progressions—instead, they brought their lived experiences, musical instincts, and full selves to the process. In rehearsal spaces and recording studios, they infused the songs with personality, authenticity, and a sense of ownership. The music became theirs.

And then came my favorite tradition. On the final day, we invite students and their families into one room, and for the very first time, we press play on the demos of their recorded songs. The cheers, the smiles, the proud tears—it’s a moment that can’t be replicated. You can feel the transformation: these young people realize that their voices have been heard, their stories matter, and their art is worth sharing with the world.

Turning Inspiration into Legacy

The result of this year’s Summit is historic for MNPS: our first-ever district EP, I Believe, I Belong. This isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s a living, breathing record of our students’ artistry and the educators who believe in them. Each track carries the fingerprint of the young artists who gave it life and the dedicated teachers who guided them.

As I think back over my 15 years as a music educator, I can say without hesitation that moments like these are what it’s all about. The MNPS Songwriting Summit is proof that when we invest in our student artists, believe in their talent, and give them the stage—whether that stage is a school auditorium or a professional recording studio—they will rise, inspire, and shine.

This EP is not the end of the story—it’s the beginning. Our students’ voices are out in the world, and I can’t wait to see where their music takes them next.

Watch the I Belong Music Video

Stream I Believe I Belong on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, or YouTube

 

About Franklin J. Willis

Franklin Willis is a nationally recognized music educator, composer, author, and arts advocate who has dedicated his career to transforming the landscape of music education. He currently serves as the Director of Visual and Performing Arts for Metro Nashville Public Schools, where he leads district-wide initiatives to ensure equitable access to arts education for more than 81,000 students in one of the most culturally and economically diverse school districts in the United States.

A three-time CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence, Willis brings over 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and arts administrator. He is deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive teaching practices that empower students and reflect the rich cultural identities of the communities he serves.

Willis was recently honored with a Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for Every Student Known, a compelling documentary that underscores the power of building authentic relationships with students through music and storytelling.

As an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music, he prepares the next generation of music educators to lead with compassion, creativity, and cultural competence. Beyond the classroom, Willis is a prolific creator of music resources for educators, equipping teachers nationwide with tools to foster engaging, inclusive, and joyful learning environments.

He is the author of two acclaimed children’s books, Edward’s Rhythm Sticks and More Than a Music Teacher, and a composer and arranger of Orff-based works tailored for the elementary music classroom. Through his leadership, artistry, and unwavering advocacy, Franklin Willis continues to uplift student and teacher voices—using music as a powerful force for connection, growth, and transformation.