she developed a curriculum and taught students K-12 the
history of blues music. Through storytelling, she evoked
emotion and understanding with students about slavery
in the United States. Eventually, these students wrote their
own songs, music, and performed in various assemblies
with the help of Whyte and her plus-sized band.
It’s one thing to preform the blues, but to teach it is
another beast. Guiding these students to write their own
music was challenging, but she was surprised at how
receptive they were.
“The kids respond much more with a visceral experience
rather than just an academic one. It’s oral, visual, touching
into your learning style—it’s a full body workout doing a
residency with me. I want every student in Portland to
have an art experience—they must have several,” says
Whyte.
With the help of her agent, Whyte is participating as
much as possible with Portland schools. Her most recent
start-up project is called Broadway Bound, where she
will be teaching a guitar class on how to sing and play
simultaneously.
“Every single experience brings something new,”
explains Whyte.
She’s ready in a true, chill, blues form: “It’s the excitement
of not knowing what’s happening next.”
Whyte has mastered the art of being spontaneous yet
focused.