Dawn R. Mitchell White is a doctoral candidate at the University of South Florida majoring in music education with cognates in conducting and research methods. She is a mother to three adult sons with Autism Spectrum Conditions, having seen first-hand the advantages that music education can afford a child on the spectrum. Now she wants to make music education better for children with disabilities and move the conversation forward. Dawn opened a school of the arts for children with learning and developmental disabilities in 2003 and maintained it until 2018. The amazing work that transpired during that time gave her the impetus to return to college. Dawn hopes to share what she has learned with others and grow as a researcher.