Bigger Than Hip Hop Teaches High Schoolers More Than Art

Bigger Than Hip Hop Teaches High Schoolers More Than Art

Monday, May 22nd, 2023

BEF funding makes it possible for Beaverton High School to meet students where they are — tapping into their creativity and building connections at school.  

A handful of teenagers with digital turntables under their fingertips are gently swaying to the music only they can hear in their headphones. After a lesson in mixing beats, they’re now making their own music. This isn’t a regular class at Beaverton High School, it’s Bigger Than Hip Hop, a special program offered at the end of their school day made possible by funding from the Beaverton Education Foundation. It’s one of 112 programs BEF funded across all grade levels so far this school year. 

Since the program started last spring, more than 85 students have accessed classes in hip hop-related arts — DJing, fashion design, graffiti, dance, lyrics and beat production — taught by local artists of color. With new sessions beginning every few weeks, students have several opportunities to try new things. This spring’s sessions will culminate in a multi-disciplinary show on May 26 showcasing the students’ artistic accomplishments. 

“Without BEF, there is no way that we’d be able to offer this program at Beaverton High School. BEF is making a big impact so we can offer the program at this scale — with six different topics and so many sessions,” says Tymon Emch, the Beaverton High School chemistry and science teacher who facilitates Bigger Than Hip Hop. “We’re also a proof of concept and hope that our success means the program can take off at more high schools.” 

Bigger Than Hip Hop engages students who might not otherwise tap into more traditional school activities like sports, band, or theater, says Tymon. “A lot of teenagers are into hip hop, and this program is a way they can explore their passions, hobbies and artistic expression without having to be a professional or take a whole class.”

The lessons students learn extend well beyond how to sew or mix beats. Many studies show that when students participate in extracurricular activities at school, Tymon explains, they have better attendance and make meaningful connections with adults in ways they can’t in a busy classroom. 

Brynly, a sophomore in the DJing class, says she’s learning how to make mistakes. “What I find really amazing about DJing is that you just have to go with it, there’s no hard-set thing that you have to do. It’s helped me learn to go with the flow in life. At the beginning, if I made a mistake, I would be like, ‘stop the music, I need to start over.’ But now I know it’s okay to make mistakes. I can carry that with me for the rest of my life.”

Other students like senior Nick appreciate the balance Bigger Than Hip Hop provides in contrast to his multiple advanced placement classes and intense athletics. “This is a great way to learn stress-free at school. There’s no pressure to perform, and you get to learn at your own pace. It really allows you to think more and do things that you feel happy with, and that makes you feel fulfilled,” he says. 

“The Bigger Than Hip Hop introductory workshops help students overcome the initial fear of trying something new or not looking cool because they are a beginner,” says Tymon. “They’re learning it’s okay to try new things and explore passions in life.”