Chaotic Harmony

Ashtyn Avella is back! This episode, she shares her personal journey -- from aspiring bus driver to amazing music teacher, but always advocate for all. She shares her thoughts on music education and what she seeks for all. Come join us! Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Email us: chaoticharmonyclassroom@gmail.com Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/chclassroom Want to toss a quick thank you? Suppo...

Happy New Years and welcome back! On today's episode, Genesis, Jasmine, and Jonathan talk about their holiday season and a project/goal they are excited to work on with their students for the rest of the school year. Come and join us! Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Email us: chaoticharmonyclassroom@gmail.com Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/chclassroom Want to toss a quick thank you?...

It is the end of the year! Shows are over, classes are ending, so let's have some fun! Today, in our first-time-live-streamed episode, the Chaotic Harmony Crew is split into two teams to play a series of games (led by the classy nerd, Genesis Santos) on Chaotic Harmony facts, Gen Alpha knowledge, and much much more. Who wins? Come join us! Oh! Also! We've REVAMPED our Patreon. Check the end of the...

It's the end of the year! Other than performances, the quarter is coming to a close. Genesis, Jamie, Jasmine, Jonathan, Marc, and Sasha look back and reflect on how the year went -- joys, struggles, things they'll NEVER do again -- and look forward for what they want in the coming year. It's both a heartfelt and hilarious chat. It's also our first LIVE episode (with many more to come) so get ready...

We JUST got back from AOSA's annual Conference -- this time in Lexington, Kentucky. It. Was. A. Blast! All of the Chaotic Harmony Crew was there, communing and learning. Today, all seven of us reflect on our time -- from the various workshops, to the student performance, to Jamie and Crystal's session, to what we hope for AOSA Conferences in the future. Join us! Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Emai...

Jonathan Seligman (San Diego) and Jasmine Mah (American River) welcome guests Aiko Sakazaki and Frank LaGuardia (Los Angeles)—leaders from Orff chapter boards across California—to unpack the realities of keeping local chapters thriving in a post-COVID world. We talk about: • Chapter successes and struggles • The changing needs of music teachers • How boards are adapting to 2025 • What’s helping ch...

We are continuing our conversation on how can we make our elementary music classrooms more inclusive, compassionate, and representative of every student we teach! This is part two of our episode on the joys and struggles of music education through the LGBTQIA+ lens, hosted by Jamie Jun and Crystal Pridmore, and joined by Danny McKay and Ashtyn Avella! Did you miss out on last week's episode, don't...

In this two-part episode of Chaotic Harmony, hosts Jamie Jun and Crystal Pridmore sit down with Danny McKay and Ashtyn Avella to explore what it means to teach elementary music through an LGBTQIA+ lens. Together, they share personal stories, reflect on why inclusion and representation matter in music classrooms, and offer practical strategies for creating spaces where every student feels seen, saf...

What are community schools and how do they pertain, uplift, and bolster music programs? 🎨🎵 Music teacher Leah Nevarez joins us again, this time to explore how community schools, how they enrich the people that live in the neighborhood, their impact on Chula Vista, and how they build partnerships that help music programs thrive. This episode dives into how schools can become community hubs that s...

Crystal is back! In this heartfelt episode, we catch up with Mrs. Pridmore as she shares what it’s like to step away from full-time teaching after 15+ years in the elementary music classroom. Here, she reflects on the joys and challenges of leaving the classroom, her new role with Guitars in the Classroom supporting general education teachers in bringing music to their students, and what she’s lea...

Today, Genesis, Jamie, and Jonathan explore the challenge of building meaningful connections with hundreds of students in the elementary music classroom(s). We share practical strategies for remembering names, learning our students’ strengths, and making every student feel seen, even when juggling multiple school sites, thousands of students, and limited class time. It gets real out here. So come...

Last year at the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) Conference, Ashley Brown Woodside gave a presentation on movement and animation. One of her final points was this notion that "touch is vital." Today, Ashley joins the conversation to expound on that idea. Why is touch vital? How can we create good accommodations for learners? And SO much more! Join us! Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Emai...

Performances can be a dirty word in the general music space and it can be the bloodline of our program. Sasha leads the conversation on how varying Chaotic Harmony members deal with performances/informances, why we do them, and advice we give to others. What are your thoughts on performances? Join us! Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Email us: chaoticharmonyclassroom@gmail.com Find Us on Instagram,...

Today, we interview former classroom teacher turned children's author Christine Devane. She just published a book called "Elephant Beach," which is about finding joy and friendship in unexpected places. Christine shares how this story and her upcoming books are about representing characters that aren't shared typically in children's literature: shy kids, grief, etc. She also shares what it was lik...

Wait, you use children's picture books in the music classroom? How does that help them learn music? Jamie, Jasmine, and Sasha talk about this very thing! They share their perspective on how it stimulates the learner to become better musicians. What are your favorite children's books? How do you use them in the class? Come join us and share! Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Email us: chaoticharmonycl...

It's everyone's favorite human: Danny McKay! Danny joins the chat and talks about a LOT. What's his journey? How did he become a social media star? Why does he make videos? How can we become advocates of our LGBTQIA+ students? This and SO much more, so do join us! Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Email us: chaoticharmonyclassroom@gmail.com Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Support us on Pat...

How do you get a class and a school year to run smoothly? Coffee? Shouting? I think not! We have systems in place to help everything run with as few hitches as possible. Marc, Sasha, and Jonathan share what helps their school run clean and efficient. Join us and share your thoughts! Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Email us: chaoticharmonyclassroom@gmail.com Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube...

Joan Li and Rodnalyn Sese join us, talking about their Orff Levels experience this past summer. They also teach at 8 schools to only 2-3 grade levels. How do they pull off Orff in that kind of setting? We talk about that and much more, so come and join us! Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Email us: chaoticharmonyclassroom@gmail.com Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Support us on Patreon: ww...

The teachers are back in town! School is back! Today, the four of us reflect how last year went, how that's affecting us as we go in, and reminding ourselves about our why. Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Email us: chaoticharmonyclassroom@gmail.com Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CHClassroom Jamie: msfunjun@gmail.com Jonathan: ‪@MrSeligman‬...

Today, Darlene Machacon and Rachel Pac join Genesis Santos and Jonathan Seligman, talking about the AAPI & Asian Canadian Music Education Gathering! This is the second biannual event to have ever taken place, this time in St. Paul (not St. Cloud), Minnesota. Genesis interviews the panel to have them share their thoughts, key impacts of the entire event, how Darlene's KPop Demon Hunters session was...

Cat and Joshua are back to talk about... a lot. Can Orff exist online? What are the barriers to Orff Levels and music education training overall in 2025? Let us know your thoughts! Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/CHClassroom Jonathan Seligman: @mrSeligman Cat Woo: catmaiwoo@gmail.com Joshua Block: jblock.aosa@gmail.com Sp...

Cat Woo and Joshua Block join us today to talk about why Orff Levels is valuable! Things have changed over the years and what they've seen, so they offer their insight. Join us on this two parter! Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/CHClassroom Jonathan Seligman: @mrSeligman Cat Woo: catmaiwoo@gmail.com Joshua Block: jblock.a...

We finally get to hear from Jamie! Jamie Jun shares her story, how she became an educator, and why play is so vital in learning. Join us! Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/CHClassroom Jonathan Seligman: @mrSeligman Jamie Jun: @jmejune To learn more about San Diego Orff Levels, go to: tinyurl.com/SDOrffLevels Books Featured:...

Jasmine Mah is a young yet amazing music educator in the Sacramento area. She's also one of the new faces of Chaotic Harmony! Today, Jonathan interviews her and gets to know her a little more - come join us! Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/CHClassroom Jonathan Seligman: @mrSeligman Jasmine Mah: @jasminericeflour To learn...

Last Saturday, California held their Fight For Schools Rally. Sasha and Jonathan were both there! Today, those two reflect on the importance of teachers participating in organizing activities outside of their schools. Have thoughts on it? Come join us! Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/CHClassroom Jonathan Seligman: @mrSeli...