A Maryland high school choir director has gained viral attention for using pop music to teach solfège, and his approach is drawing more students into the choral program at Laurel High School. WTOP News reported that Kevin Lewis, choral director and piano instructor, began recording lessons while preparing for a National Board Certification and later arranged Kelani’s “Folded” for warm-ups because it shared pitches with the classic “Do-Re-Mi.”
The video gained several hundred thousand views by lunchtime, and the original artist reposted it, according to WTOP. Lewis told the outlet that the internet attention has allowed him to attract even more students to sing in his choir.
Lewis emphasized that classroom chemistry functions like a sports team, with more time together making collaboration easier. Each school year begins with a choir camp where newer students learn vocal warm-ups and observe practices. He said watching students’ confidence grow through repeated performances is one of his favorite parts of the job, citing a Hispanic Heritage Month assembly where nerves faded across three performances.
Senior choir assistant Dahlia Sucre described Lewis as outgoing and supportive, noting that students uplift each other in the choir room. Lewis said the arts are alive in Maryland schools but warned against budget cuts, arguing that music education helps students become better in academic subjects and in life.
For more information, visit wtop.com.