My presentation last Friday, aside from some initial AV snafus, could not have gone better. After weeks of crafting, refining, and practicing my presentation, it all came together and I was finally able to share my research with an audience beyond that of my blog. It was certainly a challenge to distill months of writing and notes into a 15-minute slideshow; counterintuitive as it may seem, it truly would have been easier for me to prepare a full-length academic lecture than this short powerpoint.
I was mainly concerned that my presentation would be too dry, but my decision to stuff those 15 minutes chock full of content seems to have paid off. My audience seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say, and I'm glad I didn't try to "dumb it down" or condescend. I was particularly proud when one teacher (who has a doctorate in musicology) remarked afterwards that I sounded like a graduate student (!).
I would love to continue this project--or research in a similar vein--in college. There is so much more to be explored! As I mentioned in my presentation, I would ideally continue this research by both broadening and deepening my focus: I want to study other factors, like gender and sexuality, and I would love to learn more about the history of female violinists in particular, who've had more roadblocks than other female instrumentalists or vocalists. My work here is far from done, but for now, I can rest easier in the knowledge that I have brought even a bit of awareness to even a few people.
I was mainly concerned that my presentation would be too dry, but my decision to stuff those 15 minutes chock full of content seems to have paid off. My audience seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say, and I'm glad I didn't try to "dumb it down" or condescend. I was particularly proud when one teacher (who has a doctorate in musicology) remarked afterwards that I sounded like a graduate student (!).
I would love to continue this project--or research in a similar vein--in college. There is so much more to be explored! As I mentioned in my presentation, I would ideally continue this research by both broadening and deepening my focus: I want to study other factors, like gender and sexuality, and I would love to learn more about the history of female violinists in particular, who've had more roadblocks than other female instrumentalists or vocalists. My work here is far from done, but for now, I can rest easier in the knowledge that I have brought even a bit of awareness to even a few people.