Our  Philosophy

A wilder Harmony is an innovative approach to education and community leadership. 

 

It’s based on emerging social emotional practices of the 21st century.  These include mindful awareness, emotional intelligence, understanding the nervous system, non-violent communication, attuned relational dynamics, and the mysterious union of music, movement, emotion and attention. 

 

While our approach is non-dual, nonviolent, and trauma informed, our aim is to bridge the many concepts that divide us from one another, such as traditional versus progressive, child centered versus adult led, left versus right.  All points of view learn and grow from exposure to one another.  We also understand the nature of human opposition and defiance by encountering its resolution first within ourselves.  We honor the individual while also understanding our need to be integrated within communities where we feel a secure sense of belonging.  Our work is to foster those communities.

 

I developed this view of leadership through learning to manage large musical performances in public elementary school settings where the carrot and stick don’t help, but only create pendulums of fear and greed that block the spirit.  It’s also informed by my extensive training as an orchestral musician as well as my own personal recovery journey from intergenerational post-traumatic stress to sustainable post-traumatic growth. 

 

I’ve learned from decades of experience that we actually benefit from the disorder inherent in life.  Additionally, children love to grow and are inspired by natural challenges.  And we all long to contribute meaningfully to leaders whom we trust.  So we don’t need to bribe students through rewards and threats into respecting their elders, and are far better off refraining from all such manipulation.  We simply need to understand that it’s worth dedicating our lives to giving our children the attentive love they need for sustained wellbeing within this ever-changing world.  When a child feels our authentic passion for their unique pathway, they look to us at the crucial moments.   

 

In this world of accelerating change and instability, the way forward can only be this peaceful way that expands our capacity for life. 

 

“In Wildness is the preservation of the world.” 

-- Henry David Thoreau