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All this year, Michigan Radio’s Morning Edition host Christina Shockley has been asking people from all walks of life what three things they think people can do to help the state. It’s part of our series Three Things. This morning, we’ll hear from Geri Allen a jazz pianist and composer from the Detroit area.

Geri Allen’s first idea to improve Michigan is to utilize institutions of higher education to reach out to children through music. Recalling her own youth in Detroit Public Schools, Allen calls an artist in-residence program that brought professional musicians into her school “a life-changing event.” Now Allen, with the Department of Jazz at the University of Michigan, is visiting public schools in Detroit to re-engage children with jazz.

On the impact that such a program can have, Allen says, “It’s just a very important piece for all of us to have a connection again to people that are actively involved in their craft and are making a contribution.”

Ms. Allen’s second idea also involves using music to reach out to communities. Citing the lack of music in schools today compared to when she was in school, Allen says it’s important for artists to take it upon themselves and step up to fill the gap that exists in schools when it comes to music.

Allen urges musicians to seek out opportunities to perform and discuss music with children. “It’s a really fulfilling experience,” says Allen, adding, “Of course, that’s the way the music has always been passed down from generation to generation, through oral tradition and through actually being there and interacting with young people.”

For her final idea, Geri Allen suggests using jazz to celebrate African-American culture. Pointing to specific work she’s been doing to integrate dance, music, visual arts, and spoken word into stage performances, Allen says, “This, for me, is a really very clear way to speak to young people and to have them really connect immediately.”

“Jazz is culture,” says Allen, adding, “It’s very important to remember that it’s our place now to make sure that these experiences are passed onto the younger ones, the next generation coming up, so that the culture continues to live.”