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 improvisation circles with beginner fifth graders to a rock band-style “Pop Music Lab” class for middle schoolers, Alisa offers practical ways to make music education more engaging and responsive to students’ interests.
Listeners will be inspired by Alisa’s candid reflections on what worked, what didn’t, and how she used her own quilting practice to reflect deeply on her teaching. Whether you’re an elementary, middle school, or high school teacher, this episode offers valuable takeaways—like giving students more choice, creating space for improvisation, and designing musical experiences that connect in-school learning with students’ real-world musical interests. Tune in to hear how you might give yourself—and your students—permission to experiment.
Listen to the full interview:
Here are some key insights from Episode 91:
- Student-Centered Teaching: Alisa emphasized designing lessons that connect school music experiences to students’ interests and lifelong musical engagement.
- Permission to Experiment: She encouraged teachers to try new ideas, reflecting that experiments—even imperfect ones—can lead to meaningful growth.
- Creativity in Band: Alisa shared activities like improv circles and rhythm name compositions to foster creativity in beginning band classes.
- Reflective Practice: Quilting helped Alisa reflect deeply on her teaching, modeling how artistic reflection can enhance instructional decisions.
- Flexible Curriculum: She showed how to meet required learning goals through creative methods tailored to students’ needs and school context.
Connect with Alisa and learn more:
- Email: amastin@asu.edu
- Dissertation: Becoming Music Teacher: A Quilted A/r/tographic Inquiry
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!
You might also enjoy these other episodes:
- Episode 25 – The Power of a Mission Statement, featuring Kevin Feher
- Episode 31 – Creating a Culture for Student Empowerment, featuring Matthew Arau
- Episode 51 – Harmony and Connection: Leveraging SEL in Music Education, featuring Elizabeth Peterson
- Episode 52 – Unleashing Our Impact: Empowering Music Educators, featuring Jen Rafferty
