It's true that each school and each classroom presents its own unique challenges. But Kevin Mixon--who in October traded his instrumental music instructor duties at Blodgett School on the west side of Syracuse, New York, for a job as fine arts coordinator for Syracuse City Schools--knows from experience that some schools are far more challenging than others. "When you teach in an underserved area, there are no private lessons, not a lot of those things more affluent schools take for granted. It's all up to you," he says. In 2004, when Mixon first arrived at Blodgett, the school lacked a formal band program. Today, the school has a dedicated band room, all classes are during the school day, and Blodgett employs a full-time instrumental instructor and band director. The west side of Syracuse, New York, may be one of the poorest neighborhoods in the country, but it's home to a concert band that's pure gold--thanks to the efforts of a devoted music teacher.