For Queen’s Concurrent Education (ConEd) students, Hannah Minsky and Molly Fast, their 2nd year experiential learning placement with Sistema Kingston has been a fulfilling hands-on experience.
All ConEd students complete experiential learning placements in the first two years of the program. These take place in non-classroom settings, such as Sistema Kingston, an after-school program inspired by Venezuela’s El Sistema model. Students in grades 2-6 at two local schools – Molly Brant Elementary School and St. Thomas More Catholic School – stay after school four days a week to learn, create, and perform music in a nurturing and inclusive environment.
For Hannah and Molly, who both have deep, personal roots in music, the placement with Sistema was the perfect blend of education and passion.
Hannah, a history and social studies major, was looking for something hands-on for her second-year placement when she saw a presentation from Karma Tomm, director of Sistema Kingston, in one of her courses. Karma described the program as using music to help children grow emotionally, socially, and academically; Hannah was immediately intrigued.
“I grew up with music—it’s always been a big part of my life,” she shared. “But what really stuck with me is how this program isn’t about singling out kids who need extra support. Instead, everyone’s included, and they all make progress together.”
For Molly Fast, a 2nd year ConEd student with biology and French teachables, music is family. With a vocal coach aunt and an uncle who plays just about every instrument, Molly’s eight years of violin and high school voice lessons came in handy at Sistema’s St. Thomas More site.
One of Molly’s favourite parts is working with the kids on strings as it brings connections to her musical childhood and she loves seeing the progress they make every week. “Being around that musical energy again has been amazing,” she said. “It’s been exciting to watch the kids grow from plucking strings to playing full songs. They’re so resilient.”
But it wasn’t just about the kids. Molly and Hannah are two of 22 ConEd students working with Sistema Kingston this year. The program intentionally supports the learning of aspiring teachers through regular professional development sessions, reflective writing assignments, invitations to participate in concerts and field trips, and by providing a teaching opportunity for them in the winter term. The cohort of ConEd students grew close with one another, offering peer feedback, lesson ideas, and moral support. “It was great to have that built-in community,” Hannah says. “We held each other accountable and lifted each other up.”
Molly agrees: “I didn’t expect to build such strong relationships with the other BEd students, but we’ve become a real team. We prepare snacks, talk strategy, and share all the little wins and challenges.”
Both students are eagerly anticipating Sistema Kingston’s year-end concert on May 8th – which will mark 10 years of the program in Kingston.
Hannah described a recent rehearsal for the final show onstage at the Isabel Bader: “The lights hit them, and you could just see how amazed and proud they were. It was heartwarming.”
For both Hannah and Molly, Sistema has done more than fulfill a program requirement—it has shaped how they view education and the role of art in the classroom.
“Music isn’t just an extracurricular,” says Hannah. “It’s a way to build community and help kids grow as people.”
“I’ve learned so much from these kids,” Molly notes. “They’ve reminded me what learning is really about—curiosity, joy, and the courage to keep trying.”