Friday, June 13, 2025
Milwaukee Public Schools is the family business for three generations of Eric Rian’s family, from the Academy of Accelerated Learning (AAL) to Hawley Environmental School to Ronald Wilson Reagan College Preparatory High School. A second-generation educator and principal at the AAL, Rian ends the 2024-25 school year on a high note. CIVIC MUSIC MKE named Rian its 2025 educational administrator of the year for his commitment to providing high-quality music education at his alma mater.
That’s right. Rian started playing the French horn at 78th Street School, which he attended in the 1970s and '80s. Five miles away, his mother taught kindergarten at Hawley. Today, the 78th Street School building is home to the Academy of Accelerated Learning, where Rian has been principal since 2011.
Before the principal’s office, there was high school, college, and classroom teaching. Rian played French horn at Alexander Hamilton High School, where he met clarinetist Patti Rian; they’re married now. Patti began her music education at Manitoba School, played clarinet through college at UW-La Crosse, and teaches math at Milwaukee Parkside School for the Arts.
Patti and Eric’s daughter, Kaitlyn Rian, carries on the family profession and keeps the music playing as the band teacher at her alma mater, Reagan High School.
“I believe in providing opportunities for children to experience and access different things,” Rian said. “Music was part of my education.
“My daughter took to music immediately. If Kaitlyn didn’t have the opportunity to play music in Milwaukee Public Schools, what would she be doing today? She was happy playing music, and she still is.”
All in for music at AAL
Rian's vocal support for music education is a matter of family and school pride and follows international best practices. AAL is home to MPS’ first International Baccalaureate-authorized (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP).
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The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) Arts in Community Education (ACE) program has been a cornerstone of AAL’s arts culture since 2001. Performers from the symphony, Milwaukee Ballet, and as far away as Mexico present 19 theme-based, hands-on music lessons at participating schools. 
“We are one of the longest tenured schools in the ACE program,” Marks said. “Principal Rian recognizes this program is a good thing for kids and has been steady in his support for music at AAL in other ways. He listens to our ideas and ensures we have the right resources: drums for class and transportation so every student can see the symphony this year.”
Music study begins with movement
Marks says singing, playing an instrument, movement, and music appreciation are the “bedrock” of her teaching philosophy.
“Feeling music is one of the best ways to understand it,” said the vocalist, choir director, and mom of three AAL alumnae. “And I’m very intent on making sure children know they can sing. Voice is an instrument we carry with us for the rest of our lives. Hymns at church, a concert at Summerfest, patrons of the arts: we are educating the musicians and musical audiences of tomorrow.”
Marks uses the school’s Library Media Center two afternoons a week to lunch with students and keep the music coming. Mondays are for recorder club meetings and rehearsals; Tuesdays are for choir. The ensembles recruit musicians from grades 4 and 5.
Among the AAL spring concert selections was “Defying Gravity,” from the musical “Wicked.”
“They poured their hearts into that song!” she said.