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 insightful conversation, Erin shares her journey from unintentionally tokenizing culture in her teaching to developing sustainable, authentic practices that center student voices and community traditions. She offers powerful reflections and practical steps for educators who want to move from surface-level cultural inclusion to more meaningful engagement.

This episode is a must-listen for music educators striving to create inclusive classrooms without feeling overwhelmed. Erin reminds us that change doesn’t have to happen all at once—it’s about consistent, thoughtful progress over time. Whether you’re teaching general music or conducting an ensemble, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to deepen cultural relevance in your teaching. Tune in and be inspired to take that next small, meaningful step toward more inclusive music education.


 If you have five minutes, create an opportunity in your lesson tomorrow where students can say, “This is what I'm listening to at home. This is the stuff that my parents are listening to. This is the music that's part of my culture that I'm proud of.” Just go on a digging mission.

Listen to the full interview:

Here are some key insights from Episode 89:

  • Tokenism Awareness – Tokenism often stems from good intentions but lacks depth; authentic inclusion requires ongoing, intentional effort year-round.
  • Progress Over Perfection – Start with one piece of music and go deeper—small, consistent steps lead to lasting, meaningful change
  • Invite Authentic Voices – Bring in culture bearers, guest artists, or even students themselves to share lived experiences and musical traditions.
  • Embrace Oral Traditions – Not all cultures use notation; incorporate oral, improvisational, or collaborative traditions to diversify music-making in class.
  • Tap into Student Knowledge – Students are cultural assets—ask them what they know, listen deeply, and let their experiences shape classroom learning.
 So if you want to do one thing next year that doesn't tokenize so much, try to just be inclusive regularly throughout the curriculum, regardless of the theme of the month.

Connect with Erin 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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