Influential Woman · Music Education

Jolynn Aleman

Music Instructor, Rock 101 NM

Albuquerque, NM

2Awards received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's Degree in Music Degree University of New Mexico Degree 2018 Degree Master's Degree in Music Degree Adams State University Degree 2026 Member American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Member New Mexico American Choral Directors Association (NMACDA) Member New Mexico Music Educators Association (NMMEA) Member National Association for Music Education (NAfME)

Her Story

About Jolynn

Music has been my focus and my number one hobby and goal throughout my life. I did some little odd jobs just to make some cash, but music has always been the focus of what I do professionally and personally. In my everyday work life, I get to plan whatever curriculum is going to suit my students best and also inspire me for the day. That usually starts with some warm-ups that help them grow their instrument and grow their voice, and also sight reading, which is a really big and passionate point in my curriculum and pedagogy. I didn't feel like the best sight reader when I was in middle school, so that was a pain point for me that I was able to conquer. My goal is that any student could read music after they left my classroom, whether they were in for 6 months, a year, or three years - they could get the skills that would help them move forward in music. After that, we dive into some repertoire and learn music by reading it, along with lots of other styles of learning. I always like to include some creativity in my lessons and give students a say in their education. That might be songwriting, that could be crafting a performance with student input, or other creative and community-focused events.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Jolynn

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to being a woman of faith, along with my family and support system. My family cheers me on and also reminds me who I am, so I never have to doubt or question what my reason for doing things is. I always know that God's behind me, my family's behind me, as long as I'm following that gut unction, whatever's leading me. Having strong morals and letting that guide decisions, from the smallest decisions to the biggest decisions, and keeping that big picture in mind - what is going to matter in 10 years, 20 years, 50 years - is really important to me. I also stay grounded in just being one person who can't do it all, and who also needs to take care of themselves.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I've ever received is also the best vocal advice, and this was from my voice teacher in undergrad. He said, if one thing doesn't work, try the opposite. And if that doesn't work, find somewhere in the middle. It works for a lot of different things, not just your career or vocal technique. For example, if you are trying to figure out what color to paint your bathroom and you're thinking white might work, and then you try that out and it doesn't look very good, you could try a darker color all the way on the other side - you could try black. If that doesn't work, you could find somewhere in the middle. Maybe you don't want something so black and white. There's a lot of gray area in between, and there's a lot of color as well.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

My advice would be to stick to your morals and make decisions for yourself before you're even asked the question. Sometimes the music industry can be a dark place, or people want more from you than you're willing to give, and they want you to compromise your values and your beliefs. So just knowing ahead of time what's on the table, what you're willing to exchange, and make sure that that's always something you would be proud to put on paper. And also, when it comes to paper, don't sign contracts too quick. Read them well, and get second opinions, because good decisions do not have to be rushed.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

Right now, in music education, the systems and the way that education is structured is very outdated. It's very limited to what we can and can't do. There's a lot of barriers and boundaries, and it can be very, very frustrating, because when you're an innovative thinker, those ideas are not always welcomed, or even possible. And so that can feel very defeating.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I am a woman of faith, so having strong morals and letting that guide decisions, the smallest decisions to the biggest decisions, and keeping that big picture in mind - what is going to matter in 10 years, 20 years, 50 years - is really important to me. I also stay grounded in just being one person who can't do it all, and who also needs to take care of themselves.

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