Soundtrack to Success: How Music is Changing Lives at Creative Arts High School 🎶
At Creative Arts High School in Camden, New Jersey, something magical happens every time a student picks up an instrument. Known for its spotlight on the arts, the school has become a place where music doesn’t just echo through the halls—it changes lives.
Jamal Dickerson, affectionately called “Mr. D,” is the heart of the school’s music program. He believes that music isn’t just about notes and rhythm—it’s about transformation. “It’s scientifically proven that music develops another part of the brain,” he said. And the results? Incredible. Many of Mr. D’s students have shared the stage with superstars like Beyoncé, Sting, and Lauryn Hill. Others have become doctors, lawyers, and business leaders.
The science agrees. A 2020 study from the University of British Columbia found that students involved in musical training like band or chorus consistently outperformed their classmates on important academic exams. Dr. Peter Gouzouasis, the lead researcher, explained why: “Executive functions and music are directly linked.” That means learning music can boost your brainpower—big time!
One former student, Brandon Ramos, shared his story. He first joined band in middle school wanting to play the trumpet. But there were no trumpets available. Instead, a teacher gave him a trombone. “I picked it up, and I was like … ‘I don’t like this. It’s slide is big, it’s ugly.’ I’m like, ‘This is horrible,’” he said. But that awkward start turned into something life-changing.
“I was a shy kid. I was very antisocial,” Brandon shared. “With music, it kind of forced me to be social.”
After graduating from Creative Arts in 2017, Brandon earned a music scholarship to Whittier College in California. “Whatever I built in music, I switched it to academic,” he explained. Because of the discipline music taught him, he made the dean’s list and is now working as a dental assistant, preparing for dental school. And he’s not done with music—Brandon dreams of starting a local band playing traditional Mexican music.
“If I haven’t started music in the first place, I don’t think I would be here,” he said.
Mr. D summed it up best when he said music helps students not just become smarter, but “better human beings.” At Creative Arts High School, music isn’t just an activity—it’s a launchpad for dreams.
Music isn’t just about creating beautiful sounds—it’s about creating better futures. What happened at Creative Arts High School proves that music can shape your brain, your confidence, and your path in life. Whether you’re playing trombone, singing in a choir, or just humming along, you’re building skills that go far beyond music class. If schools everywhere supported the arts like this, who knows how many more amazing stories we’d hear?
Source:
- https://youtu.be/lb7Y233Zh0U?si=KVPrqk0pO_nRY-66
- https://www.wbgo.org/show/wbgo-journal/2025-07-09/camden-students-showcase-power-of-music-education-in-achieving-academic-success
- https://app.pictory.ai/
- https://chatgpt.com/
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