Motivating Young Musicians: Exploring Self-Determination Theory


In episode 79, we welcome Jessie Peterson, a dedicated middle school band director and a passionate advocate for fostering intrinsic motivation in music education. Drawing from her doctoral studies at Clemson University and her extensive teaching experience, Jessie delves into the transformative power of Self-Determination Theory in the classroom. She shares how the principles of autonomy, competence, and relatedness have helped her create an inclusive and empowering environment where students thrive. Whether it’s encouraging students to choose their own instruments or setting collaborative goals for performances, Jessie demonstrates how these strategies cultivate a love for music that lasts a lifetime.

Tune in as Jessie shares practical insights, from utilizing sticker-based systems for mastery learning to fostering peer mentorship among students. Her creative approaches have not only expanded her band program dramatically but have also reinforced the value of music as a safe space for self-expression and growth. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or new to teaching, this episode offers valuable takeaways to implement in your own practice. Don’t miss Jessie’s heartfelt stories and actionable tips for building a connected and motivated musical community.

The learning environment helps foster relatedness because it feels safer to them. Safer to take a risk and take a chance.

Listen to the full interview:

Here are some key insights from Episode 79:

  • Foster Autonomy – Empowering students through choice and goal-setting builds their autonomy and deepens their connection to music.
  • Embrace Self-Determination Theory – Teaching with autonomy, competence, and relatedness in mind creates motivated, engaged, and confident learners.
  • Prioritize Student Voices – Listening to students’ input on music choices and performance goals strengthens their ownership and commitment.
  • Build Safe Spaces – Inclusive band programs thrive when students feel supported, seen, and safe to express themselves musically.
  • Encourage Lifelong Musicianship – Fostering intrinsic motivation helps students become lifelong music lovers, whether or not they pursue it professionally.
So for autonomy, I think about goals. Within a band program, student input is top priority, especially at the middle school level, because that's how you get them to buy in. If they want to be there and they want to set their own goals, they're going to want to achieve them.

Connect with Jessie and learn more:

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!

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