Music for All Podcast Network

Joining Us today is Dean Westman. Westman currently serves as the Performing Arts Chair and Orchestra Director at Avon H.S., IN. He was the Educational Director for Music for All from 2005 to 2007 and has been a BOA Participant Director and Judge. In celebration of Music for All’s 50th anniversary, the podcast series Joining Us! takes listeners on a journey through five decades of unforgettable mo...

In this episode, David speaks with Krysta Mirsik DePuy, who is a music educator at Passaic Public Schools, NJ, and an instructor at Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education! Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build...

Joining Us today is Richard C. Crain. Crain is the retired President of The Midwest Clinic and was the coordinator of Music for All's National Festival from its inception in 1992 until 2007. He is a current member of the Music for All Board of Directors and is also a Hall of Fame member. In celebration of Music for All’s 50th anniversary, the podcast series Joining Us! takes listeners on a jou...

In this episode, David speaks with Lafe Cook, Director of Bands, at Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN! Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own ensembles....

Joining Us today is Gary Green. Gary was the Director of Bands and is Professor of Music Emeritus at The University of Miami Frost School of Music. He brought his band to two early Marching Bands of America competitions and has served as a BOA judge and clinician for many years. In celebration of Music for All’s 50th anniversary, the podcast series Joining Us! takes listeners on a journey through...

In this episode, David speaks with Eric Jimenez, Founder & Principal Consultant of the Revival Music Project and Co-Host of The Score Podcast! Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation,...

Joining Us today is Alfred L. Watkins. Dr. Watkins is the retired Director of Bands at Lassiter H.S., GA, where he taught for 31 of his 37 years teaching. Lassiter H.S. won the 1998 and 2002 Bands of America Grand National Championships and performed six times at the MFA National Festival. Among his many other accolades, Dr. Watkins is a member of the MFA Hall of Fame and a longtime BOA adjudicato...

In this episode, David speaks with Kaelinn Ward, Director of Bands, William J. Palmer H.S., CO! Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own ensembl...

Joining Us today is father-son duo Bill and Shawn Galvin. Bill is a member of the MFA Hall of Fame, the Educational Advisory Committee, and recently retired as the coordinator of the Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival. Shawn participated in BOA from 1991-95 and has served as a clinician and evaluator for various Music for All events. He currently enjoys a career as a conductor and percus...

This special episode is the last of a 5-part series of podcasts recorded on-site in June 2025 at the Sweetwater Director Academy at the Bands of America Summer Camp, presented by Yamaha. Please join us back for regularly scheduled Sunday evening/Monday morning episodes, beginning this week, August 3/4! In this episode, David speaks with Patrick Mainieri, Chief Operating Officer for the Bloomington...

This special episode is part 4 of 5 of a series of podcasts recorded on-site in June 2025 at the Sweetwater Director Academy at the Bands of America Summer Camp, presented by Yamaha. In this episode, David speaks with Maggie Moncado, who just finished her first year teaching band at Joplin M.S. and H.S., MO; and Jonathan Bell, who has been teaching for a few more years and currently serves as Dire...

Joining Us today is Michael Davis, who retired as the Band and Orchestra director for Walt Disney World Resort in 2001. Prior to his tenure with Disney, Mike served on band faculty at James Madison University and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, to where he helped to bring the first BOA Summer Nationals. He served on the BOA Board of Directors for nearly a decade. In celebration of Music fo...

This special episode is part 3 of 5 of a series of podcasts recorded on-site in June 2025 at the Sweetwater Director Academy at the Bands of America Summer Camp, presented by Yamaha. In this episode, David speaks with Jennifer Witt, Band and Orchestra Marketing Manager at Sweetwater; and Brian Blocker, who is the Band Director at Broad Ripple M.S., IN, as well as an assistant for the Jazz Band of...

This special episode is part 2 of 5 of a series of podcasts recorded on-site in June 2025 at the Sweetwater Director Academy at the Bands of America Summer Camp, presented by Yamaha. In this episode, David speaks with Courney Allyson Mills, who is a BOA Broadcaster for BOX5-TV, as well as a choreographer and performance consultant; and Jose Sanchez, Director of Bands at Gatesville H.S., TX. Plus,...

Joining Us today is Greg Bimm, Retired Director of Bands at Marian Catholic H.S., IL. Under Greg, the Marian Catholic band participated in BOA every year from 1981 to 2022 and won seven Grand National Champion titles, five Summer National Champion titles, and 21 Grand National Class Championships. In celebration of Music for All’s 50th anniversary, the podcast series Joining Us! takes listeners on...

This special episode is part 1 of 5 of a series of podcasts recorded on-site in June 2025 at the Sweetwater Director Academy at the Bands of America Summer Camp, presented by Yamaha. In this episode, David speaks with two wonderful Director Academy Assistants: Garrett Coffer, Assistant Director of Bands at Vincennes Lincoln H.S., IN; and Stephanie Aarons-Dennison, Director of Bands at Centralia H....

Joining Us today is Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, the Executive Director of Marching Bands of America from 1980 to 1982, who is currently the Executive Director of Attitude Concepts for Today, as well as an educational advisor and bestselling author. In celebration of Music for All’s 50th anniversary, the podcast series Joining Us! takes listeners on a journey through five decades of unforgettable moment...

In this episode, David speaks with Patrick Vandehey, Professor Emeritus, Portland State University! Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own ens...

In this episode, David speaks with Craig Gustafson, Band & Orchestra Teacher at Evergreen Public Schools, WA! Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within...

In this episode, David speaks with Frederick Lowe, Director of Music Program at Loyola University Chicago and Conductor of the Palatine (IL) Concert Band! Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic mot...

In this episode, David speaks with Adam Mewhorter, Director of Bands at Southmoore H.S., OK! Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own ensembles....

In this episode, David speaks with Cynthia Rae Plank, Associate Conductor of the Oregon Symphonic Band & Director of Bands at Beaumont M.S., OR! Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivatio...

In this episode, David speaks with Jager Loyde, Director of Fine Arts (Music) for Round Rock ISD, TX! Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own e...

In this episode, David speaks with Caroline Caves, Director of Bands at Indian Springs M.S., TX! Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own ensemb...

In this episode, David speaks with Greg Bimm, Retired Director of Bands from Marian Catholic H.S., IL! Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own...