Pass the Baton: Empowering Students in Music Education, a Podcast for Music Teachers

As part of our Best of Pass the Baton series, we're revisiting one of our favorite conversations from the podcast archives. If you've ever wondered how to create greater student ownership and engagement in your ensemble, this episode is full of practical ideas and inspiration. In this encore presentation of Episode 62, Kathryn and Theresa talk with Kathleen Jacoby, a high school band direc...

As part of our Best of Pass the Baton series, we're revisiting one of our favorite conversations from the podcast archives. We say we want music education for all students, but how do we actually reach ALL students? Dr. Shane Colquhoun shares how we can take steps toward a more student-centered approach in music education. In this encore presentation of Episode 53, Kathryn and Theresa talk wit...

In this Season 5 finale episode, Theresa and Kathryn reflect on the school year, celebrate major milestones, and revisit some of the most meaningful themes from the season. Theresa shares highlights from completing her PhD dissertation research on why music educators listen to podcasts, revealing that teachers value podcasts not only for practical ideas and professional learning, but also for the...

In episode 113, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Eric Songer, a veteran middle school music educator, to explore what it really means to move from “music for all” to “all music.” Drawing from his own unconventional path into music—sparked by pop radio and a love for popular culture—Eric shares how his teaching philosophy centers on expanding access to music-making beyond traditional ensembles. He...

In this episode, Theresa and Kathryn are joined by Andrew Wang, a K–12 music teacher who brings hip-hop culture to life in a neurodivergent-centered classroom. Drawing from his own experiences as a neurodivergent learner, Andrew shares how hip-hop became both a personal outlet and a powerful teaching tool. He describes his work in an inclusive school setting, where music supports not only musical...

In Episode 111, Meagan Thorup shares her journey toward building a music classroom centered on creativity, reflection, and lifelong musicianship. Grounded in the belief that she is not training professional musicians but equipping students with skills they can carry beyond school, Meagan describes how her teaching has evolved through continuous experimentation and student feedback. She highlights...

In episode 110, Theresa and Kathryn are joined by Alexis Ganos and Krista Witak, two middle school orchestra teachers who co-teach in a unique, collaborative model designed to foster student agency. They share how their program has evolved over time; from rethinking traditional structures to creating a more student-centered environment where learners take ownership of their musical growth. Through...

In episode 109, Theresa and Kathryn are joined by music educator Mary Cogswell to explore how repertoire choices can help foster student agency in ensemble classrooms. The conversation begins with a discussion of flexible (flex) repertoire—music designed for ensembles with varying or unbalanced instrumentation. Mary explains how flex music expanded during the pandemic and how it can be used not on...

In episode 108, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Illinois band directors Kyle Rinke and Jaime Escatel to explore what it really means to center learners and cultivate student agency in music classrooms. Kyle shares how his early, competition-driven mindset gradually shifted after realizing that rankings and trophies weren’t building the buy-in or belonging he hoped for. By moving away from chair...

In this episode, Kathryn and Theresa revisit the topic of student ownership and unpack four common mistakes teachers can unintentionally make when trying to foster it in their music classrooms. They discuss the “bait and switch” of offering choice only to revert back to teacher-centered control, the tendency to prioritize “my program” over students’ identities and interests, the assumption that st...

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. David Dockan, assistant professor of music education at Louisiana State University, for a rich conversation about democratic practices in music classrooms and why they matter for student belonging, agency, and lifelong music-making. Drawing from his own experiences as a popular musician navigating traditional music education spaces, David shares how having to “...

In episode 105, Theresa and Kathryn welcome back longtime music educator Merlin Thompson, who reflects on nearly five decades of teaching and his evolving philosophy around lifelong music making. Merlin challenges the traditional, teacher-led “master–apprentice” model by introducing four curriculum models—teacher-led, student-led, shared, and neurodiverse—and explains how intentionally shifting be...

In episode 104, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with high school music educator Amelia Armstrong to explore what student-centered teaching can look like in real classrooms. Amelia shares her 22-year journey at Platteville High School in Wisconsin, where she has expanded a traditional choir program into a vibrant, inclusive music department that includes guitar, digital audio production, and flexible...

In this Episode 103, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Emily Langerholc—elementary music teacher, PhD student, and author—to explore what it really means to embrace popular music in the classroom. Emily shares how her early love for MTV and radio shaped her musical identity, and how discovering that popular music counts as legitimate scholarly work opened the door to her lifelong passion for bridg...

In episode 102 Theresa and Kathryn talk with Dr. Rhoda Bernard—singer, pianist, educator, and founding Managing Director of the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education—to explore what truly accessible music education looks like in today’s classrooms. Rhoda shares her journey through music teacher identity and her deep work in designing arts education programs that meaningfully include lear...

In episode 101, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with David Davis, a music educator whose journey from traditional instruction to deeply student-centered, culturally responsive teaching is both relatable and transformative. David shares how his early experiences, especially working in diverse school settings, pushed him to rethink long-held norms about excellence, proficiency, and what it truly means...

In this special 100th episode of Pass the Baton , co-hosts Kathryn Finch and Theresa Hoover celebrate two major milestones — five years since their book Pass the Baton was released and 100 podcast episodes of amplifying student-centered music education. They reminisce about how their collaboration began on Twitter, how their shared passion for empowering students led to writing the book, and how t...

In episode 99, Kathryn and Theresa dive into the art of concert preparation—reimagining performances as opportunities for empowerment and inclusion rather than stress and perfection. They discuss how shifting the focus from the final product to the process helps students feel ownership and pride in their growth as musicians. From giving students a voice in repertoire choices and program notes to i...

In episode 98, Theresa and Kathryn welcome choir director and music educator Darlene Machacon. Darlene shares how she has reimagined her high school choir program to give students increasing ownership of their learning—from running sectionals and leading warmups to planning and producing an entire pops concert. By scaffolding responsibility throughout the year, she empowers students to collaborate...

In episode 97, Theresa and Kathryn talk with Chris Ricketts, music educator, curriculum leader, and doctoral researcher from Portsmouth, UK. Chris shares insights from his work across nine schools in the Bohunt Education Trust, where he focuses on curriculum development, student voice, and building inclusive, co-constructed learning experiences that reflect students’ real musical lives. He discuss...

In episode 96, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Rebecca Sensor, middle school choir director and president-elect of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. Rebecca shares how her choir program transformed its traditional spring concert into a fully student-driven “Pops Concert,” where students select, arrange, and even mash up popular songs that resonate with them. From brainstorming on day...

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 educ...

In Episode 94 of Pass the Baton, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with high school orchestra director and ASTA President-Elect Corie Benton for an inspiring conversation about student-centered teaching and building a classroom culture rooted in care, agency, and joy. Corie shares how her teaching philosophy shifted in recent years—from chasing accolades to prioritizing holistic student experiences—emp...

In Episode 93 of the Pass the Baton podcast, co-hosts Kathryn Finch and Theresa Hoover kick off Season 5 with a timely conversation about setting up music classrooms with intention from day one. Drawing on their diverse teaching backgrounds—Kathryn in elementary general music and Theresa transitioning to a new role in higher education—they explore practical strategies for creating an environment w...

In this final episode of Season 4, Kathryn and Theresa look back on a year of inspiring conversations and exciting growth. They reflect on the continued impact of their book Pass the Baton, now four years old, and the growing network of educators dedicated to student empowerment. They share behind-the-scenes insights into resources like the Post-Concert Creativity Challenge and preview their upcom...