Episodes

March 24, 2021

144- What a formal music education doesn't teach you

A formal music education is so important. But, it's not the end all be all to learning. It’s not that having a music degree doesn’t matter, because it does. It just means that although you have your degree, never stop …

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March 17, 2021

143-How to do songwriting with your students with Lori Burke

In this episode, Lori Burke and I discuss her story as a songwriter and how you can help your students write songs with ease. She gives so many actionable steps including choosing a topic, using music to write a story, …

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March 10, 2021

142- At home virtual music classes with JoEllyn Sumner

This episode is an interview with JoEllyn Sumner of The Tuneful Teacher. She, like a lot of you, shifted to virtual teaching both as an elementary music teacher and in her parent child music classes. We talk about how paren...

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March 3, 2021

141- Why Music in our Schools month matters and how to celebrate with…

It’s March which means it’s officially music in our schools month! Your students may have heard you mention this, but aren’t quite sure what exactly it means. First of all, talk about why music in our schools month exists. ...

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Feb. 24, 2021

140- The importance of advocating for yourself as a music teacher wit…

Advocating for your music program can come in many different forms. In this conversation with Rainy Barton, we discuss ways to advocate for yourself with your administration, the families of your students, and in the communi...

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Feb. 17, 2021

139- Using technology and teaching during a Pandemic with Katie Wonde…

This episode is with the amazing Katie Wonderly of Ms. Wonderly Makes Music. I LOVED this conversation and we talked about so much including using technology, teaching during a Pandemic, how to use social media while still b...

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Feb. 10, 2021

138- Celebrating Black History all school year long

February is Black History Month and celebrating the amazing black musicians, musical artists, and styles of music from black culture is so important. But, celebrating black history all school year long is equally important a...

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Feb. 3, 2021

137- How to talk to your friends and family about what it's like bein…

In this episode, I give you ways to talk to your family and friends about what you REALLY do as a music educator and how to explain to them why you need their support now more than ever including: Explain …

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Jan. 20, 2021

136- Preparing for a sub and teaching with anxiety with Liz Kutschke

Preparing to have a substitute teacher in the music room is so tough. Most of the time you get a non-musical sub, and knowing what to leave for them and how to keep it simple for yourself is a bit …

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Jan. 13, 2021

135- Crawl before you walk, music teacher friend

Have you ever seen a baby crawl? Each child learns to crawl at different times and does it when they're ready. They then also learn how to walk in their own time frame. Just like a baby, you have to …

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Jan. 6, 2021

134- Recapping the most downloaded podcast episodes each month of 2020

The year of 2020 was probably one of the hardest years many of us have ever faced. Right along with you, I had to pivot with what I talked about on this podcast. I knew I still wanted a sense …

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Dec. 30, 2020

133- Why community matters so much for an elementary music teacher

Maybe you feel like you're on a music teacher island, especially this school year. You already feel alone as an elementary music teacher, and this year, you're craving a sense of community and a support system more than ever...

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Dec. 23, 2020

132- How to keep moving forward when the overwhelm is so real

The overwhelm is so real right now. In this episode, I share a story about how I had a tech week from heck, how I continued moving forward, and I want to help you to do the same. It's so …

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Dec. 16, 2020

131- Adapting instruction for our new normal with Taylor Nardone

This school year, you've probably had to adapt instruction... like a lot. This "new normal" can cause serious feelings of overwhelm, and to be honest, you probably miss teaching music like you usually get to in a regular sc...

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Dec. 9, 2020

130- Celebrating Winter in the music room, no matter the teaching sit…

As a music teacher, you know the Winter months (especially December) can be the most stressful time of the year! You want to have joy during the Winter months, but it's so hard trying to meet the needs of your …

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Dec. 2, 2020

129- Informal learning and creativity in the music room with Steve Gi…

Today's episode is with Steve Giddings, from stevesmusicroom.com , who is an amazing music educator not afraid to think outside of the box. In this episode, we discuss rock and popular music ensembles and also what informal ...

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Nov. 25, 2020

128-Why I’m thankful for you music teacher friend

2020 has been one for the record books and it’s been a lot to deal with. It’s so easy to only see the negative parts of this year because that’s what’s thrown in our faces literally every second of every …

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Nov. 18, 2020

127- How to put on performances with your students this school year

Are you wanting to do performances or programs with your students, but it seems a bit "tricky" this school year? In this episode, I'll share some simple ideas to still have amazing performances with your students and to help ...

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Nov. 11, 2020

126- Hip hop music education with Courtney Powers

I met Courtney virtually at the International Music Education Summit. We were both presenters, and after attending her session, I knew I needed to have her on the podcast. Courtney has such a heart and passion for teaching ...

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Nov. 3, 2020

125- 5 things to consider if a lesson bombs

Let's face it. Every lesson will not go according to plan. There will be lessons that bomb in one way or another. The important thing is to know it's not just you and that this happens to every teacher at …

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Oct. 28, 2020

124- The Music Podcast for Kids with Bill Henry

In this episode, I sat down to talk with Bill Henry all about his music podcast for kids, teaching with e-learning, and his advice around using creativity in your classroom. Bill Henry is a 14-year elementary music teacher fo...

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Oct. 21, 2020

123- Using technology as a music teacher while still being you

Every single music teacher is different and that's a good thing! How boring would it be if everyone was exactly the same? In this episode, taken directly from a Facebook live I did, I'm talking about how you get to …

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Oct. 14, 2020

122- How to help kids cope with the impact of COVID-19 with Jenny Del…

In this episode, Jenny Delacruz talks about how to help kids cope with the impact of COVID-19. During our conversation, we discuss not just COVID, but also how books can help kids process trauma of all kinds. She explains h...

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Oct. 7, 2020

121- "What if" statements for music teachers

In your teacher life, things can get so stressful. You constantly have things swirling around in your mind and it can cause you to feel stuck. This episode will help you to process through those "what if" questions like... "...

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