Celebrating 5 Years and 100 Episodes!
In this special 100th episode of Pass the Baton, co-hosts Kathryn Finch and Theresa Hoover celebrate two major milestones — five years since their book Pass the Baton was released and 100 podcast episodes of amplifying student-centered music education. They reminisce about how their collaboration began on Twitter, how their shared passion for empowering students led to writing the book, and how the podcast grew from a YouTube series during the pandemic into a thriving platform for teacher inspiration and connection.
The celebration continues with a visit from past guest Dr. Shane Colquhoun, who reflects on the progress of music education, the importance of authenticity in teaching, and the need to empower both students and teachers. Kathryn and Theresa also share lessons they’ve learned from past guests — from student feedback to rethinking grading — and discuss how their own thinking about empowerment has evolved. The episode wraps up with lighthearted reflections, gratitude to listeners, and excitement for what’s ahead as Pass the Baton continues to grow and inspire.
Listen to the full interview:
Here are some key takeaways from Episode 100:
- Authentic Empowerment: You can’t give ownership. You can only create the space where students feel empowered to lead and learn.
- Teacher Autonomy: Teachers need to feel empowered, too. Real student ownership begins when educators have freedom to teach authentically.
- Evolving Mindsets: Empowerment isn’t a checklist — it’s an ongoing mindset of reflection, growth, and student-centered decision-making.
- Collective Impact: Change happens through conversation. Every story, classroom, and teacher voice moves music education forward together.
Links from this episode:
- Buy the Book: Pass the Baton: Empowering All Music Students
- Playlist: Empowered Performances: Spotlight on Student Success
- Join the Coffee Club
- Support Pass the Baton
- Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection
- Instagram – @PasstheBatonMusicEd
Coffee Club Members: be sure to check out the bonus material available for this episode! Not a member? Join today → Pass the Baton Coffee Club
Ready for more?
You can check out the full interview on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform. Or you can listen right here, on Spotify Podcasts!
You might also enjoy these other episodes:
- Episode 62 – The Kids Come First: Student Ownership in Ensembles, featuring Kathleen Jacoby
- Episode 90 – Throw Away the Rubric: Ungrading the Music Room, featuring Chris Gleason
- Episode 77 – Inspiring Young Musicians: Passion and Purpose in Music Education, featuring Stephen Cox
- Episode 85 – Fostering Lifelong Learning through Reflective Partnerships, featuring Merlin Thompson
