Our Mission
Our mission is to embolden, support and inspire teachers, students, musicians, and the larger community to Spread the Music to the best of their strengths and talents. Each member is surrounded by passionate, creative, attentive, and talented individuals who deeply understand the value of keeping music alive in all capacities. Spreading the Music (LLC) provides individualized lessons catered to each student putting them at the heart of their musical exploration. We strive to create a clean, professional and welcoming environment accessible to all ages, experience levels, instruments, styles, genders, races, ethnicity, religions, and disabilities. It is our mission that each member is Spreading the Music and creating a community that facilitates profound music appreciation, creativity, and innovation.
What we are great at
We specialize in 30-minute, 45-minute, and 60-minute private music lessons for ages 5 and up, for all instruments including voice, all levels, and conveniently located uptown with flexible scheduling. We also offer innovative group music classes and rental spaces open to the public for personal practicing and rehearsals. We are transparent, supportive, extremely knowledgeable and understanding of the needs of brand new parents to music, seasoned musicians, and teachers needing a space to do their best work.
Our History
Spreading the Music was established in February 2016 and has a unique history in uptown New Orleans music education. We were originally named Thibodeaux School of music in 2012 founded by Madeline and Paul Thibodeaux geared towards early music education for children 0-7 years old. Though their school grew and thrived, their passions developed and changed and they started looking for someone who valued their work as much as they did. That’s where Candace Crawford comes in. A transplant from New York with an undercover duel degree in Music Education and Oboe Performance from Ithaca College, Candace was hostessing at a restaurant when she was discovered by the then house band percussionist Paul Thibodeaux. They came to talking and found that Candace didn’t just want to teach, but had big dreams of one-day owning multiple music schools not only in New Orleans but all over the country.
As of September 2024, we are now servicing over 180 famlies and 5 local schools and churches. By reading this, you become a part of the Spreading the Music journey, making profound changes through music and in our community.
About the Owner
Candace Crawford is the owner and founder of Spreading the Music Schools and a private music teacher. She graduated with her bachelor’s in Music Education and Oboe Performance at the outstanding Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y. She specializes in piano, violin, oboe/English horn, flute, and voice and has an extensive private music studio. Ms. Crawford has a wide range of experience in teaching large bands and orchestras, chamber music, instrument-specific sectionals, and group lessons, All-County and All-State preparation, conducting, instrumental repair, and reed making. Her goal is to continue to dynamically spread the music to all who will listen. Her deep passion for high-quality teaching, in-depth lessons, and inclusivity continues to drive her to increase enrollment and create innovative classes.
