Chaotic Harmony

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...

113: Genesis Joins the Family! Learning About Mr. Santos - Chaotic Harmony Podcast by Chaotic Harmony

It's finally here! Our 100th episode that's really episode 112. Jonathan interviews Crystal - the founder - on what it was like creating this podcast to begin with. We look back, think about what's changed, and we have a big announcement of what's to come, so you won't want to miss it! Spiccato: Word Teasers - Silly Debates Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Find Us on Instagram and YouTube. Support u...

Last week, Chula Vista Elementary's annual VAPA Festival happened and it was a HIT! Marc and Jonathan reflect on the events and look forward to what it'll look like in the future. Join us! Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Find Us on Instagram and YouTube. Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/CHClassroom Jonathan Seligman: @mrSeligman Marc Keehmer: @marcwithuh_c To learn more about San Diego Orff Level...

Spring break is here! Or maybe it went. Orr it's just around the corner. What are you doing during this reprieve? Hear from our community how we're intending to breathe and recharge from the long quarter. Don't forget to cast your vote on the Video Game For the Music Class Fantasy Draft (ends March 10 2025): forms.gle/JAvXwWowhPiSFRjJ9 Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Find Us on Instagram and YouTub...

Where were you when the world shut down? March 13th marks the 5th year anniversary of COVID in the US. Jamie, Jasmine, Jonathan, and Sasha reflect on where they were five years ago, the WILD stories of online learning/teaching, and what they've gained from the pandemic. Don't forget to cast your vote on the Video Game For the Music Class Fantasy Draft (ends March 10 2025): forms.gle/JAvXwWowhPiSFR...

Sasha is back! She shares her story of growing up with a learning disability and how that affects how she approaches teaching. Don't forget to cast your vote on the Video Game For the Music Class Fantasy Draft (ends March 10 2025): forms.gle/JAvXwWowhPiSFRjJ9 Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Find Us on Instagram and YouTube. Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/CHClassroom Jonathan Seligman: @mrSeligm...

Professor at SDCC, community organizer, and parent of Jonathan's students: Dr. Kirin Macapugay joins the chat! This is a very thoughtful episode, where Kirin talks about the value of our work, how to advocate for music education, and the difficulty of being a community organizer while being a teacher. Have thoughts? Join us! Don't forget to cast your vote on the Video Game For the Music Class Fant...

San Diego AOSA’s Vice President Rodnalyn Sese joins the chat! Only teaching for three years and between eight schools, she shares her heartfelt journey on how she went from following her parent's wishes of being a nursing major to pursuing music education. Spiccato: Coffee Beans Packet Round: White Coral Bells Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Find Us on Instagram, Twitter or Youtube Crystal Pridmore...

The YouTube Queen is back! Sasha Stone shares her struggles this year with 5th grade and how she was encouraged by her admin to go off script to do some cool stuff. Is it successful? You'll have to see. Don't forget to cast your vote on the Video Game For the Music Class Fantasy Draft (ends March 10 2025): forms.gle/JAvXwWowhPiSFRjJ9 Our Social Media: @CHClassroom Find Us on Instagram and YouTube....

We're back! Jonathan and the AROSA crew finish off the fantasy draft, creating the best lists of video game music for each Laban effort. It's a weird mix of nerd, theory, and praxis. Which list do you think is the best?? Listen to the last one (Ep 101). Listen to this one! Then cast your votes here: https://forms.gle/JAvXwWowhPiSFRjJ9 We'll announce the winner by the end of the season. Our Social...