Intentional Beginnings: A Back-to-School Conversation In Episode 93 of the Pass the Baton podcast, co-hosts Kathryn Finch and Theresa Hoover kick off Season 5 with a timely conversation about setting up music classrooms with intention from day one. Drawing on their diverse teaching backgrounds—Kathryn in elementary general music and Theresa transitioning to a new role…
Season 4 Rewind: Recap and Looking Ahead In this final episode of Season 4, Kathryn and Theresa look back on a year of inspiring conversations and exciting growth. They reflect on the continued impact of their book Pass the Baton, now four years old, and the growing network of educators dedicated to student empowerment. They…
Permission to Experiment: Embracing Creativity, Reflection, and Growth In Episode 91, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Alisa Hanson—music educator, researcher, and recent PhD graduate—for a rich conversation about experimentation, creativity, and student-centered teaching. Alisa shares insights from her dissertation and describes how she brought student agency and creative risk-taking into her music classes. From…
Throw Away the Rubric: Ungrading the Music Room In Episode 90, Theresa and Kathryn are joined by Chris Gleason for a thought-provoking conversation about grading – or more specifically, ungrading. Chris challenges traditional notions of grading and assessment, offering compelling stories and practical strategies for shifting from compliance-based systems to student-centered, intrinsic learning environments. With…
From Surface to Substance: Deepening Cultural Engagement in Music Education In Episode 89, Kathryn and Theresa welcome Dr. Erin Zaffini, Director of Teacher Education at Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Erin specializes in access, equity, and inclusion in music education, and works extensively with teachers through workshops, consulting, and graduate education. In this…
Music as a Gift: Connecting Through Parent Orchestras In this inspiring episode, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Annie Ray, orchestra director and 2024 Grammy Music Educator Award winner, to explore the heartwarming and transformative concept of the Parent Orchestra. Annie shares how this initiative—rooted in connection and community—brings caregivers together to learn their child’s…
Using the Critical Response Process to Foster Meaningful Dialogue In episode 87, Kathryn and Theresa dive into the Critical Response Process (CRP) with Mallory Alekna, Assistant Professor of Music, Human Development, and Learning at Augsburg University. Mallory shares how this four-step feedback framework, developed by choreographer Liz Lerman, can transform music classrooms by fostering meaningful…
The Power of Student Voice: Building Equity in Music Education In episode 86, we dive into the critical role of student voice in fostering equity and inclusivity in music education. Our guest, Felipe Morales-Torres, shares insights from his work at the Bornoff Foundation for the Advancement of String Education, exploring how music teachers can create…
Fostering Lifelong Learning through Reflective Partnerships In episode 85, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Merlin Thompson, an experienced private music teacher, clinician, and the founder of Teach Music 21C. With over 45 years of teaching experience, Merlin shares powerful insights on fostering lifelong musicianship through reflective partnership teaching. He challenges the traditional master-apprentice model…
Assessment for Growth: Empowering Student Musicians In episode 84, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Leah Hanley to explore how assessment can be a powerful tool for student empowerment in music education. Leah, a seasoned orchestra teacher in the Bronx, shares insights on the distinction between summative and formative assessment and how the latter can…