Listening First: Centering Students and Their Stories
In episode 95, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Yogi “Y?” Guyadin, a teaching artist, musician, and “artivist” whose work centers student voices, creativity, and connection. Y? shares his powerful personal journey—from growing up surrounded by vibrant soundscapes in Queens to learning music through deep listening and instinctive exploration. He explains how his unconventional path led him to education, where he champions an approach grounded in student agency, multiple intelligences, and culturally responsive practices.
We explore Y?’s concept of cipher pedagogy, a model that invites collaboration, improvisation, and co-creation in the classroom. He emphasizes the importance of building environments where students and teachers can thrive through authenticity, emotional connection, and nervous system regulation. Whether you’re a traditional music educator or exploring new territory, Y? offers a compelling vision for making music education more inclusive, joyful, and transformational.
Listen to the full interview:
Here are some key takeaways from Episode 95:
- Start with Listening: Deep listening helps students internalize music emotionally and physically before learning theory or reading notation.
- Embrace Multiple Intelligences: Students learn in diverse ways—visual, auditory, kinesthetic—and music classrooms should support all learning styles.
- Facilitate, Don’t Instruct: Great teaching is about creating space for creativity, not control—be a facilitator, not just an instructor.
- Redefine the Classroom: Transform music rooms into collaborative spaces that reflect real-world music-making like jam sessions and recording studios.
- Honor Student Voice: Let students guide the process through their interests, emotions, and ideas—this is where authentic music-making begins.
Connect with Y? and learn more:
- Creative Expressions website
Links from this episode:
- Join the Coffee Club
- Support Pass the Baton
- Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection
- Instagram – @PasstheBatonMusicEd
Coffee Club Members: be sure to check out the bonus material available for this episode! Not a member? Join today → Pass the Baton Coffee Club
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 62 – The Kids Come First: Student Ownership in Ensembles, featuring Kathleen Jacoby
- Episode 90 – Throw Away the Rubric: Ungrading the Music Room, featuring Chris Gleason
- Episode 77 – Inspiring Young Musicians: Passion and Purpose in Music Education, featuring Stephen Cox
- Episode 85 – Fostering Lifelong Learning through Reflective Partnerships, featuring Merlin Thompson
