Shining Rae chosen as voice teacher at Forte

Special to the Banner-News

Shannin “Shining Rae” Watkins of Magnolia is 1 of 100 music professionals selected as a Recording Academy verified voice and songwriting teacher on Forte. Forte is the global industry-leading online music education platform that has just announced its new partnership with The Recording Academy (GRAMMYs) on September 8, 2023. This ground breaking partnership radically expands access to the highest quality music education for students of all levels across the globe! As of today over 100 Forte teachers have been officially verified as members of the Recording Academy or as GRAMMY nominees or winners. Each has been screened by Forte to ensure they possess substantial teaching experience complemented by a robust pedagogical background. This vetting process guarantees that students receive instruction from educators of the highest caliber. Users can find Shining Rae and browse other teachers at www.fortelessons.com/tra-student.

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. further spoke on the revolution of online music education:

“Online learning is revolutionizing education, expanding access and creating new opportunities for families and students everywhere,” Mason Jr. said in a statement. “The Recording Academy is proud to help expand music instruction through our partnership with Forte. Our extraordinary members are excited to share their expertise and knowledge with future music creators.”

Watkins recalls dreaming of global reach in music education saying”Since I was a child I’ve continually prayed specifically for more opportunities and avenues to use my musical gifts to touch the WORLD, and now I’m literally able to do that through Forte! I’ve always believed that music and music education are unique catalysts that shape our hearts, our minds, our imaginations, and unite us all. We all know that music education in schools has been severely underfunded by the government, therefore difficult to preserve over the past few years. In my years of experience teaching voice lessons through my company Raediyance, LLC, I gained the majority of my students through word of mouth. Most of those students were already connected to the entertainment industry and/or lived in Los Angeles, so it made it easier from them to discover and reach me. Through Forte I feel like I am helping make up for some of those music education deficits in schools and also make myself accessible to people and communities that may not have music teachers readily available.”

“I’m forever grateful to my musical parents Tyree and Joycelyn Watkins, voice and piano instructors Melissa Eason and Paula Vanmeter, early childhood Montessori school teacher & mentor Ginger Ervin and many more who taught me music on both technical and creative levels. Thank you Forte & The Recording Academy for this amazing opportunity to share my musical knowledge with the entire world! I’m beyond honored to serve the global music community with you all through your amazing/innovative platform! Congratulations on a historical partnership,” said Watkins.