October General Music Workshop: 2022

Time and Location

Saturday, October 15 at 8:30 am - 12:30 pm PDT
Performing Arts Center 016 - Choir Room

event_available Know before you go

For in-person events

  • Masks optional at WWU locations. Covid-19 protocol details. Check off-campus locations for different requirements.
  • Double check event details for updates before you go. Covid-19 safety may cause event dates and locations to change.

Permission To Play (P.T.P): You can’t teach me until you reach me.

Nicole Williams

How many of our students are still reeling from the pandemic and seem unreachable? If we’re honest how many of us share that same sentiment?


In the face of adversity, change and obstacles we can build our capacity to move from surviving to THRIVING TOGETHER through the universal expression of music.


This workshop will integrate experiential facilitation through interactive rhythm, games, movement, and music through the lens of evidence-based resilience building tools and techniques that promote self-regulation that can be easily applied to classroom and community settings. Some other relevant themes that will be discussed will include values, self & social awareness, identity, respect, communication, empathy, and positive risk taking. Participants will leave with games, songs, chants, and new insights on building connections with students who need it most.

Nicole Williams, with long hair pulled back in braids, giving a bright & friendly smile

Nicole Williams

Nicole Williams does not simply teach music; rather, she embodies what it means to utilize the gift of music to enhance the lives of those around her. A self-described ‘music educator/world changer’, she has dedicated her entire teaching career of over twenty years to engage, educate and empower through this medium. She has long recognized that music is a powerful tool.  Her life mission is to champion for the underdog, overlooked and underserved by providing a hope and a future through the creative arts.  As a result, Nicole has committed to use that tool to build relationships, to build communities, as well as build confidence and self-esteem in the lives of adolescents and adults.

A native of Bronx, New York, Nicole graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston with a degree in Music Education, K-12 grade levels with honors. She taught in the Boston Public Schools for several years and then moved to Kingston, Jamaica to serve as a volunteer missionary with her husband Dr. Theo Williams.  She ended her tenure of public-school teaching in 2014 to pursue her vision of becoming a community educator through the musical arts.  Presently she serves as Executive Director of A.R.C. Alliance Inc. a non-for-profit organization that promotes social welfare through enriching individuals and communities in the areas of creative expression through One Love Community Circle.  To date Nicole has brought programming to over 2,500 youth in the cities of South Bend and Elkhart (IN), Paarl (South Africa) and Jamaica.  The recipient of Tides Jubilation Foundation for Teaching Artists, Executive Journey Fellowship and the Indiana First Lady’s Charitable Foundation, she has been recognized as a community trailblazer for these efforts.

In addition to her philanthropic efforts she has performed as the lead singer in an acclaimed musical group in Boston, MA, internationally in England, Germany and the Caribbean with Hip-Hop Rapper Busta Rhymes and Gospel legends Shirley Ceaser and Papa San. In 2018 she launched Rhythm To You LLC which provides professional and personal training through experiential rhythm based facilitation that promotes a thriving and healthy work place culture. Clientele have included Chick-fil-A, Johnson & Johnson, University of Notre Dame to conferences in Durban and Paarl, South Africa.

Disability Accommodations

For disability accommodations, please contact the department presenting the event. Disability access information is available online at Parking Services, and further resources can be found by contacting Western's Disability Access Center.