Sometimes, a single moment of creativity can leave a mark on a child’s life that resonates for decades, echoing in ways no one could have imagined.

One such story of enduring impact begins with a simple email that COMPAS Teaching Artist Charlie Maguire recently received. The message was from Dr. Caitlin Raasch, who remembered Charlie’s visit to her elementary school many years ago and how his music had woven itself into the fabric of her family’s life. This chance connection would not only rekindle a special bond but also highlight the lasting influence that teaching artists can have on their students’ lives.

“My name is Caitlin Raasch. I remember you playing in my classroom in elementary school (Highlands Elementary in Edina, MN – probably 2001/2002), and ever since then, I grew up listening to Harbour Lights (specifically DM & IR on endless repeat). My Dad and I have so many memories of singing it together! I’m getting married, and we would love to have that be our father-daughter dance song.”

Charlie, of course, leapt at the opportunity to reconnect with one of his former students. 

According to Dr. Raasch, she and her father had bonded over Charlie’s songs, specifically the Iron Range railroad tune DM & IR. They created their own dance to the catchy reggae upbeat, and would do their dance together all throughout her childhood, even into high school. 

“It wasn’t what I expected,” Charlie explained when he received the email asking about the song. “It’s not a romantic song; it’s so the opposite!” he exclaimed. But Charlie believes in his service to the children he teaches, that it goes beyond the time together in the classroom: “If they need me, I’m there,” he states. Once he learned of the full back story and the deep connection Dr. Raasch and her father have to the song, it became clear that the specialness of his residency so many years back went far beyond what he could have imagined.

“When children are exposed to a COMPAS artist and their artform, it lasts their whole life,” Charlie notes. As a veteran of the COMPAS Teaching Artist roster for over 25 years, Charlie has worked with hundreds of schools, composing thousands of songs with children along the way. Charlie shared an anecdote that has happened frequently, about meeting a former student while checking out at the store, who recognized him after taking his credit card down.

 “Are you Charlie Maguire the folk musician? I had you in my 3rd grade class!”

Charlie, always pleased, replied as he always does, “Aw that’s really great, can you remember the song?” And without missing a beat, the former student can sing what they wrote with Charlie by heart. 

“We just don’t know the influence we have,” Charlie shares thoughtfully. “They call upon the memory in dark and happy times; it comes out all kinds of ways.” Another former student of Charlie’s was deployed in the Iraq War. He shared with Charlie later on that his songs gave him comfort and he would sing them under his breath during high combat situations. 

“What they take with them is the love, respect, and desire of the experience they have. It’s the best I can give them,” Charlie imparts. “I’m never going to retire. I don’t want to lose that connection I have with kids that COMPAS has given me a chance to do. That’s what COMPAS does. Puts artists and audience together.”

Charlie’s story is a testament to the ripple effect of a creative spark—a reminder that when we bring creative experiences into a child’s world, we open the door to endless possibilities. Through his music, Charlie gave Caitlin more than a melody; he gave her a lifetime of memories, a deeper connection with her father, and a sense of wonder that carried her all the way to her wedding day. This is the true gift of teaching artists: they don’t just teach skills or techniques; they inspire, empower, and create lasting connections that can shape a person’s journey in the most unexpected and beautiful ways. These connections help kids see beyond the ordinary, giving them the confidence to imagine, dream, and explore who they are and what they can become.

And like a melody that lingers, these moments of inspiration stay with them forever, echoing softly through every chapter of their lives.

To learn more about COMPAS teaching artists and how they can bring participatory creative experiences to your classroom, business, organization, or community, visit our teaching artist roster.