Nashira Pearl

Program Manager, Classroom Music Performance Model
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Nashira received her degree and certifications in General & Instrumental Music Education (K-12) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and her Masters in Music Education from Boston University. She has taught in Milwaukee, New York, and now Chicago in a variety of settings including private, public, bilingual, and after-school programs. Most of her teaching has focused on general music and string education in elementary schools using a culturally responsive, popular music pedagogy. 

Nashira first experienced being a teaching artist with the Third Street Music Settlement in New York City and was thrilled by the opportunity to assume that role again with ChiME. As the Program Manager for the Performance Model team, Nashira is able to support both students and fellow teaching artists in growing and developing their skills. She has been instrumental in embedding Social Emotional Learning in the program’s curriculum and in organizing ongoing SEL-focused professional development for the team. She also enjoys helping her colleagues use technology for creative problem solving, planning, and teaching.

Although Nashira was raised in the classical music tradition with piano, cello, and saxophone, she has found a new passion for non-performative social music-making. She occasionally organizes jam sessions with her synagogue community where she can be found singing and playing piano, guitar, or hand drums. The rest of her free time is spent playing with her kids and her cat, enjoying the Marvel Cinematic Universe with her husband, reading, making to-do lists, or listening to podcasts. Occasionally all at the same time.