Episode 106 – Beyond Choice: Building Democratic Music Classrooms

Beyond Choice: Building Democratic Music Classrooms

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. David Dockan, assistant professor of music education at Louisiana State University, for a rich conversation about democratic practices in music classrooms and why they matter for student belonging, agency, and lifelong music-making. Drawing from his own experiences as a popular musician navigating traditional music education spaces, David shares how having to “collapse” parts of his musical identity shaped his teaching and research interests. He explains that democratic practices aren’t about politics or simply offering surface-level choices, but about intentionally sharing power with students so their voices genuinely matter in the classroom.

David introduces a practical framework for democratic music teaching that focuses on three key areas: rules and procedures, curriculum and repertoire, and pedagogy. Through concrete classroom examples—like co-creating norms, inviting students into repertoire decisions, and gradually releasing responsibility—he illustrates how teachers can move beyond efficiency toward deeper, more meaningful learning. Throughout the conversation, we explore how these practices support students’ sense of belonging, help them see themselves as musicians, and build the skills they need to make music independently long after they leave our classrooms. This episode offers both big-picture thinking and accessible entry points for teachers who want to create music spaces where students don’t just participate, but truly belong.