At Head Magnet School in Nashville, music education thrives because of one extraordinary educator: Ms. Richardson. With more than twenty years in the classroom, she has become a driving force behind Save The Music’s J Dilla Music Technology Grant. Recently granted to Head Magnet in 2023 — Ms. Richardson has transformed her classroom into a vibrant studio where students feel empowered to create, experiment, and tell their stories through music.
Her passion, leadership, and belief in her students have shaped a program that goes above and beyond. In her classroom, music becomes a pathway to confidence, identity, and possibility.
Embracing the J Dilla Music Technology Program
“I decided I was ready to step out of my comfort zone and explore new ways to teach music.”
From the moment the J Dilla Music Tech grant arrived in 2023, Ms. Richardson embraced it wholeheartedly. She saw the tools not as equipment, but as opportunities — new ways for her students to explore their creativity and develop real-world skills in music production, audio engineering, songwriting, and collaboration.
Her classroom now functions as a studio space where students experiment fearlessly.
This grant came along and provided opportunities to create, compose, be innovative with music, and reach those students that maybe felt disconnected to an instrumental or vocal setting– and gave them an opportunity to create music in a way that was relevant to them.
Her dedication shows what is possible when teachers are equipped with the resources they need. The Music Technology program has become a cornerstone of Head Magnet School’s creative environment — powered by Ms. Richardson’s leadership.
A Special Moment — Tiera Visits the Music Tech Classroom
On October 22, 2025, the Save The Music Foundation team visited Ms. Richardson’s classroom at Head Magnet School in Nashville for an inspiring morning with singer-songwriter Tiera
During the visit, Tiera spoke with students about her journey as an artist, answered thoughtful questions, and listened as three students showcased impressive original music they created under Ms. Richardson’s guidance.
Check out highlights from the visit.
The Future Powered By Educators Like Ms. Richardson
Ms. Richardson represents the heart of Save The Music’s mission. Her dedication shows what is possible when educators are supported, when students have access to creative tools, and when music is treated as an essential part of a student’s development.
After 3 years, I’m happy to say that participation in music in my school has gone from 30% to 92%– and that’s something I’m very proud of.
This holiday season, help close the gap for the 4 million students still waiting for access to music education. Power up a classroom like Ms. Richardson’s before December 31.