Connecting music education and virtual performance practices from YouTube

The Internet has inspired musicians to explore technologies to produce recorded music performances. Social media sites like YouTube provide spaces for musicians to share their works, and the advances of technologies that afford venues and opportunities for performers to share their crafts. As amateur Internet musicians develop practices to create and produce performances, educators may benefit by understanding their processes so that music making practices from outside of the classroom can be incorporated into formal educational settings. This case study explores how David Wesley François, a virtual ensemble creator who published arrangements on YouTube, acquired the skills needed to become a productive virtual performer. A narrative describes François's formal music education, which was supplemented by informal music and technological learning. By exploring cases such as this, educators may be able to translate virtual performance practices to the classroom, thus preparing students to create digital music within the classroom and beyond.