Michael Peterson is no stranger to student travel with ETI. As Choir Director for seventh through 12th-grade choirs at Clarkston Community Schools in Clarkston, Michigan, he’s taken trips with his students to destinations like Chicago, New York City, Disneyworld and St. Louis.
For Peterson, the highlight of these trips has always been the amazing performing venues his traveling students, ranging grades nine through 12, have been able to sing in: St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery in New York City, Carnegie Hall and Grace Church in Oak Park, Illinois—to name a few.
“My students have always taken pride on their music reading abilities and it was told to them in many of our clinics the importance of being able to read music,” Peterson said. “It only stabilizes the importance of teaching our musicians the importance of being musical literate.”
The trips Peterson takes with his students also serve as a brand-new experience for many.
“Taking students on trips is, for many students, a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Peterson explains. “Many of the students don’t travel outside their own town, so they get the opportunity to explore, learn and perform in some amazing venues.”
Peterson shared his reasoning for choosing ETI to help plan his student trips was because of the company’s personable experience, offering tours that were far from a cookie cutter experience.
“ETI has always felt like a family. They look out for the director, the choir, and how well the trip will be for the director and their families,” Peterson said. “They are quick to respond to an email with a question. If you want to change a portion of your itinerary, they come up with multiple scenarios.”
Peterson is among the many educators who have enjoyed a pleasant experience with their students on the road with ETI.
“I have sincerely loved working with everyone I have come in contact with at ETI,” he said. “They are truly a supportive travel company that looks out for the school, their director and the students.”
Courtesy of ETI.
