Musician and actor Steven Van Zandt is currently touring the country with his rock band to conduct professional development workshops that promote the use of music in classrooms and show solidarity with teachers. Van Zandt is a member of Bruce Springsteen’s celebrated E Street Band, and he has also performed roles in the HBO television show The Sopranos.

Van Zandt sees says he is concerned about budget cuts that eliminate funding for arts programs in schools. In addition, he says educators are under-appreciated, and he wants to show his support for the teaching profession.

The band will visit nearly 30 cities,including several states where teacher protests were widespread during the recent election cycle. At each stop, the accomplished musician and his band will offer teachers the opportunity to attend a professional-development workshop about integrating the arts into lesson plans for their subject area. In addition, the teachers will receive a curriculum they can use in their classrooms. Finally, they will get free tickets to a concert by Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul.

To learn more about Van Zandt’s unique workshop, see the video below: