ARTS & COMMUNITY
Del'Shawn is an arts equity advocate who is passionate about bridging the gaps between classical music organizations and marginalized communities and to ensure that children regardless of socio-economic background have access to the transformative power of the arts. Del’Shawn serves on the DEI Board Committee of the South Bend Symphony and the DEI Board Committee of the Thompson Street Opera Company and the board member and program committee member of Art Song Colorado. Del’Shawn is the founder of Variations, a middle school music program that bridges the gap between the world of classical music and inner-city youth through a classical and hip-hop integrated curriculum. Turning their own stories to lyrics, the students work with symphony musicians, opera singers, and community composers to create a concert of new music that ends with a recording session He is also the youngest recipient of the South Bend Hometown Hero Award for his work in this space.
In addition to teaching music at the K-12 level and for non-profits, Del'Shawn has also created music programs for the Boys & Girls Club. He has served as the music director for Sacred Heart Parish, Zoar United Church of Christ, Hillcrest United Methodist, and guest directed at several other churches. Currently, he is the Worship Leader at Faith Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Colorado. He served as the musical director for Musical Mission Tour for 6 years and served as a Board Member. He has served as the musical director for several musical productions such as Caroline or Change, Annie, the Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, Shrek Jr., Into the Woods Jr. and many more.
Del’Shawn recently released his children’s book “Do You Know What Makes a Man,” that was written to equip young boys with the knowledge they need to be socially and emotionally successful as men. He will be launching a virtual/in-person book in late 2022 with libraries around the country.
When not immersed in the world of music, Del’Shawn works as an partner manager at Guild Education. He holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology with pre-medicine coursework and a Spanish minor from Indiana University and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Southern Indiana. He holds additional certifications in DEI and project management.
He is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the National Association for Music Education, the National Black MBA Association, and Americans for the Arts.
