About Music Notes

Mr. Q‑U‑E (LaMar Queen)

As the co-founder of Music Notes, I’m an artist at heart. I wrote my first song when I was in 7th grade, but it wasn’t until I became a teacher that I found a way to combine my love of music with my passion for education. Answering a challenge given to me by my first group of students, I wrote my first educational song, “Slope Intercept”, in 2007. Since then, I’ve worked tirelessly to provide my students and other students across the country with music that not only sounds good, but teaches as well.

I earned my B.S. in Elementary Education from Grambling State University. I taught middle school math for 10 years in Los Angeles, CA.

Jimmy Pascascio

As co-founder of Music Notes, I’ve always enjoyed being behind a camera. As a kid, I would use my dad’s camcorder (usually without him knowing it) to make videos with my best friend. When I became an English teacher, I knew that I still had to maintain my love for the camera, so I started teaching a video production class during my homeroom period. It was at this time that I first heard LaMar Queen’s “Slope Intercept” song. Not knowing exactly how I would do it, I offered to help LaMar make a music video for the song. Since then, I’ve worked with Music Notes artists as well as my own students to create educational music videos that are creative and engaging.

I earned my B.A. in Psychology and Religious Studies from U.C. San Diego, a Masters in Elementary Education from Loyola Marymount University. I taught middle school English and Social Studies for 10 years and worked as a high school intervention coordinator for 6 years.

Mr. D (David Landix)

I began working with students in 2001 at LA Academy Middle School. After taking an interest in a group of kids that would rap during their lunch breaks, I decided to try writing some raps of my own. Once I tapped into this previously undiscovered talent, I began creating songs and mixtapes. Then, with the support of Jimmy Pascascio and LaMar Queen, I began writing my first educational rap album, Deometry. I’m inspired by the teachers I had the pleasure of learning from as a child who always used a wide variety of methods to teach. My music is another tool for teachers to use as they continue to inspire their students. David currently teaches 9th grade Algebra at Locke High School.

Ms. Co (Kristina Cotran)

I began singing when I was a student in middle school and I have taught students with learning differences since 2011. I earned my B.A. in Psychology from Cal Poly Pomona in 2008 and my Educational Specialist teaching credential in 2011.  I went on to receive my Masters Degree in Special Education in 2013.  In 2014, I received a prestigious award from PBS, the “Learning Media Digital Innovator” award, because of my use of technology and music in the classroom.  I currently teach at Chaffey High School in Ontario, CA.