The Kids Come First: Student Ownership in Ensembles In Episode 62, Kathryn and Theresa talk to Kathleen Jacoby, a high school band director in Fairfax, Virginia. Kathleen’s teaching philosophy revolves around student ownership and engagement in the music program, drawing from her own experiences in a small band program where every member’s contribution was vital….
Empowering Tomorrow’s Musicians: Innovation in Music Education In episode 61, Kathryn and Theresa talk to Dr. Rob Pethel, an innovative music educator with a passion for guitar and virtual teaching. Rob talks about the importance of embracing change and innovation in music education, shedding light on his approach to keeping students engaged and motivated in…
Empowering Music Educators Through Self-Initiated Professional Development In Episode 60, Kathryn and Theresa interview Kyle Smith, a high school band director from Maine. Kyle discusses his journey and experiences, emphasizing the importance of continuous growth and learning in education. He shares insights from his podcast “The Growing Band Director,” where he and his guests explore…
Perspectives on Student Empowerment in Music Education In Episode 59, Kathryn and Theresa engage in a conversation exploring the intersection of music education, student empowerment, and research! Theresa, a PhD student at Arizona State University, delves into her research project that analyzes themes from the Pass the Baton podcast, particularly focusing on secondary music education. …
Spotlight on Genius Hour in the Elementary Music Room In Episode 58, Kathryn and Theresa interview Jamie Widener, a music educator passionate about incorporating Genius Hour in her elementary music classes. The episode focuses on Jamie’s approach to engaging students by allowing them to pursue music-related passion projects, inspired by Google’s strategy of allowing employees…
Nurturing Inquisitive Minds in Young Musicians In episode 57, Kathryn and Theresa talk to SJ, who shares his journey and experiences in music education. SJ was born into a musical family in Bihar, India, and raised in Mumbai. His passion for music was inherited from his father, and he pursued a master’s in literature and…
Straight Talk on Student-Centered Music Classes In episode 56, Kathryn and Theresa talk to Tom Chester and Justin Johnson, music educators and ensemble directors from Illinois. The discussion revolves around the concept of student-centered learning in the realm of music education. Both Tom and Justin emphasize the importance of equipping students with the tools to…
Assessment for Learning: Nurturing Growth and Progress in Every Student In episode 55, Kathryn and Theresa sit down with Terry Little, a veteran music educator with over three decades of experience. Terry delves deep into the concept of “assessment for learning,” emphasizing its role in making the educational process more student-centered. Instead of traditional grading…
Exploring Servant Leadership in Music Education In episode 54, Kathryn and Theresa talk to Dr. Dylan Maddix, an Assistant Professor of Instrumental Conducting and Community Engagement at Memorial University, as he shares his extensive journey in music education and his insights on the transformative power of servant leadership within this realm. Dylan delves into his…
The Most Important Question You Can Ask in Music Education In episode 53, Kathryn and Theresa talk to Dr. Shane Colquhoun, an assistant professor of music technology and contemporary styles at Alabama State University. Shane discusses the importance of rethinking traditional approaches to music education by challenging the notion of “music education for all,” arguing…