Your site is truly a practical and useful source of guidance for all who endeavour to investigate their own lived experiences with a hope to improve and develop, no matter the vocation.

Well Done.

Thomas G. Ryan,
Professor
Nipissing University
Graduate Studies

Dear Jacqueline

I would like ask you for advice regarding my Master's Degree.

I'm a musician (from a jazz background) and I'm doing my MA in Jazz Performance. When I was researching for my artistic project (besides the project I have to write a 20/25 pages document to justify the performance), I found the Living Educational Theory and it really resonated with me.
I've been feeling that my musical practive doesn't really embody my values in the way I'd like it to. I came to the conclusion that I need more improvisation and interaction, not only with myself, with the band but with the public also. Besides that I feel a very strong need of using my music to affect society on a deeper level, being a platform for social change, in a more sustainable, fair and just society. One of my main inspirations is the way hunter-gatherer tribes use music in such a holistic way...

One possible project would be something like this:

I would have two basic componentes: music and social intervention.

Social intervention:

1) I would create a website were I would ask people form the town where I'm going to perform to write projects or dreams they have and I would select two or three of those.

2) I would invite people from existing projects that exist in that area.

Music:

I'll ask these people to describe why are they passionate about that project and then I would improvise a piece on the piano, with some moments being played with another invited musician and with the public itself (under my guidance).

After the concert there would be a place for people to exchange ideas. The projects would be posted on my website for future reference, ideally helping create a net of civil cooperation.

The problem is: Some people in my faculty don't seem to accept that this has a valid concept. They say that this is an introspection but doesn't seem to create valid discussion to the academy.

I do you think I could support my project theoretically? Is LET a good alternative? Maybe autoethnography or some phenomenological approach?

I would really really appreciate any help you could give because I don't wan't to give up what I feel is a deeper misson for my music just because they say it's not relevant to the academy!!!

Thank you so much

Warm Wishes

Gonçalo Moreira (Aveiro University form Portugal)

Thanks for sharing your site! I am beginning my journey in finding a new source for my entrepreneurial ideas.