Researching Music Education Programs and Raising Awareness on the Child Tax Credit in the Action Lab
This past spring semester, the Liberal Arts Action Lab welcomed fifteen students for two projects. The upbeat energy from the fall semester continued as Trinity College and CT State Community College Capital students participated in an Action Research Methods in Hartford course (LAAL 200) and one of two Hartford Research Projects (LAAL 201). This semester Dr. Derin Atalay taught Action Research Methods in Hartford and led the Family Finance Project, and Prof. Joshua Hummel joined us from CT State Capital to lead the Music Education Project. Each team worked with a community partner who posed a pressing question about their work in the city.
Professor Josh Hummel led the Music Education Project along with faculty fellow Prof. Eric Galm from the Trinity College Music Department, in which students collaborated with House of Bread-Jubilee House. The House of Bread is a nonprofit community organization that serves thousands of people in Hartford by providing access to food, shelter, and education. Jubilee House is an education and support center for immigrants that offers English classes, help with citizenship preparation, and digital literacy training, and provides childcare services during classes. Trinity students Marcella Huang ‘27, Briyani Mercedes ‘25, Eva Muller ‘26, Mia Rodriguez ‘26, and Siya Saddi ‘27, together with CT State Community College Capital students Estrella Gomez and LaVaughn Little, researched music education programs for children in urban environments similar to Hartford, and surveyed Jubilee House clients regarding their potential interest in an instrumental music program.
Michele Prizio at the House of Bread said, “Working with the Trinity and Capital students participating in the Music Education research project was a highlight of my semester! Seeing the students’ enthusiasm and dedication to provide comprehensive, meaningful information that will inform the House of Bread as we move forward in this process was inspiring. I, personally, was touched by their sincere desire to see a community music education program come to fruition. Thank you to the entire Liberal Arts Action Lab team working to give students a meaningful and memorable experience.”
Prof. Derin Atalay worked with United Way CT and Faculty Fellow Prof. Serena Laws to lead the Family Finance Project as they explored the potential impact of a child tax credit on Hartford families. Through interviews that were conducted at the Trinfo VITA Tax Clinic, situated across from Trinity’s campus, the team interviewed community members to assess the ways in which a state child tax credit would affect their family finances. Team members included Trinity students Paola Evangelista ‘26, Thad Hempel ‘27, Edwin Santana ‘24, Jude Staples ‘27, Mafer Vacca Crisostomo ‘27, and Cole Voyer ‘27, with CT State Capital student John Jay Gywnn. Along with the interviews, the group created multimedia content to amplify the voices of Hartford residents, creating a two-minute video featuring the challenges faced by a lifelong resident with help from project consultant T.J Noel Sullivan at the Hartford Film Company. By leveraging various platforms, including press conferences, news interviews, and testimonies at the state capitol, the team raised awareness regarding the proposed Child Tax Credit and its potential impact on Hartford families.
Team member Poala Evangelista explained, “I wanted to give back to the Hartford community, as it has given me so much during my time here as a Trinity College student – and the Liberal Arts Action Lab provided me that chance.” She noted that interviewing Hartford residents and engaging with them through their community partners truly helped her understand the underlying issues that cause financial hardship for Hartford residents.
I wanted to give back to the Hartford community, as it has given me so much during my time here as a Trinity College student – and the Liberal Arts Action Lab provided me that chance.” – Poala Evangelista ’26, Family Finance Poject
To learn more about the projects, you can check out the websites of each project below.
