It's normal to find local professionals in a Principia classroom—especially if they’re a Principia parent lending their skills and wisdom to students. What’s not so common is to have a parent who is also a two-time Grammy Award winner collaborating with students from across the St. Louis area right on Ridgway stage.
The vision for the event belonged to Assistant Band Director Katie Pyles, who wanted middle school students across the metro St. Louis area to collaborate and learn from top-tier professional musicians. Nominated by their directors, student performers spent a day at Principia, strengthening their craft and learning at the foot of a master. That’s where St. Louis native and Grammy Award winner, Emanuel Harrold, came in. “Emanuel was our first choice for a guest artist,” says Pyle, “because not only is he a fantastic musician, but he is also a Principia dad.”
“Fantastic musician” doesn’t scratch the surface of Harrold’s notable career, but it’s certainly a good place to start. Having played with a number of noteworthy musicians, including Stevie Wonder and Jon Batiste, the master drummer most recently found himself on stage at the 2025 Grammy Awards. And while Ridgway may not be as grand as the Grammys, it’s certainly a place to make an impact.
Throughout the day-long clinic, students worked with Harrold and his cohorts in like-instrument sectionals, a big band setting, and one-on-one. “During the clinic, students got to jam and improvise with professional musicians, which is a rare and fantastic opportunity to solo and perform with musicians of this caliber,” says Pyles.
“Being in the presence of someone who has achieved great things can be incredibly motivating,” adds Pyles. “When students work with a professional, they often engage in collaborative learning—whether through playing together, observing rehearsals, or participating in ensemble work. This fosters a sense of teamwork, discipline, and mutual respect in music-making. It also helps them build confidence, both in their own abilities and in their understanding of the wider musical world.”
At the day’s end, both the students and the professionals put on a concert for the community—one that had the audience tapping their feet. As the Irving Mills' lyrics sing, "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing." Luckily, Principia has it in spades.