Merlin Thompson and Guest Music Teachers

Teach Music 21C Podcast Series

Music EN ↓ 95 episodes

Are you interested in a 21st century music teacher skillset? How about enhancing and expanding your expertise with tools and strategies that work? This podcast series has cutting-edge ideas and inspirational insights for all genres of music teachers: online, in-person, vocal, instrumental, Suzuki, exam-based, group, and more. It's a ground-breaking game-changer for today's music teachers as Teach Music 21C focuses on changing the tone of music teaching - one lesson at a time.

Author

Merlin Thompson and Guest Music Teachers

Category

Music

Podcast website

www.teachmusic21c.com

Latest episode

Jun 1, 2026

Where to listen?

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Episodes

#93 Group Class Best Activities 01.06.2026

Supplementary group classes that meet weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly are a mainstay of many music studio programs. Join Connie Bell and Merlin as we explore our number one activity to include. 

#92: Wrapping Things Up for Music Teachers 25.05.2026

For music studio teachers, it may be hard to believe that June is just around the corner and it's time for wrapping things up. Join experienced private lesson teachers Lorrie Merrell and Merlin Thompson as we revisit strategies for wrapping up our teaching schedule. We talk about parent meetings, report cards, and info sheets that make it all work.

#91 Busy Families & Music Teachers 18.05.2026

Do you have busy families in your studio? Families who organize their schedules to the maximum? Join Connie Bell and Merlin Thompson as we bring empathy and practicality to this dynamic topic.

#90: Vocabulary & Music Lessons 11.05.2026

Helping music students develop their own musical vocabulary is a lengthy journey for music teachers. Join Paul McGlinchey and Merlin Thompson as we explore the different ways vocabulary comes into play.

#89 Goal Setting 04.05.2026

Join experienced music teachers Connie Bell and Merlin Thompson as we explore goal setting from various perspectives including: long term, short term, changing direction, and more.

#88 Let's Talk Music Students 27.04.2026

An encouraging and inspirational conversation as Lorrie Merrell and Merlin Thompson explore what it's like to join students on their own meaningful musical journey - even when we don't necessarily know where things will end up.

#87 Hosting a Humanitarian Event 20.04.2026

Hear how Sandy Chen organized an amazing humanitarian fundraising event for her studio and what inspired her to reach out to the world beyond her immediate studio. A heart-warming conversation with Merlin Thompson. 

#86 Teacher Challenges 13.04.2026

Today's music teachers recognize that it's our job to figure out to keep students going even when it may seem like students are going off-track. And that's why we run into all kinds of challenges. Connie Bell and Merlin Thompson provide timely insight into how music teachers can respond to today's teaching challenges.

#86: Teacher Challenges 13.04.2026

Today's music teachers recognize that it's our job to figure out to keep students going even when it may seem like students are going off-track. And that's why we run into all kinds of challenges. Connie Bell and Merlin Thompson provide timely insight into how music teachers can respond to today's teaching challenges.

#86: Teacher Challenges 13.04.2026

Today's music teachers recognize that it's our job to figure out to keep students going even when it may seem like students are going off-track. And that's why we run into all kinds of challenges. Connie Bell and Merlin Thompson provide timely insight into how music teachers can respond to today's teaching challenges.

#85 Real Life Students 06.04.2026

This podcast for music teachers is a great resource. Experienced music studio teachers Sandy Chen and Merlin Thompson get personal about what's involved when music teachers work with "real life" students. It's all about helping students become the best of their own brand and explore their own musical identity.

#84 Our Relationship with Music Making 30.03.2026

How can music teachers help our students deepen their relationship with music making? What's involved? Paul McGlinchey and Merlin Thompson explore these questions and more in this informative episode.

#83 Lifelong Music Making: What, Why, How 22.03.2026

Lots of music teachers talk about lifelong music making. But what exactly is that? Why is it important? And how can music teachers be intentional about it? This episode is an informative session from Connie Bell and Merlin Thompson.

#82 Accumulated Repertoire 09.03.2026

Based on the model of language learning, Accumulated Repertoire is a teaching strategy that builds student fluency in their old/best repertoire as they learn new repertoire. What does that look like? Join Lorrie Merrell and Merlin Thompson for an insider view of this important topic.

#81 Let's Talk About Repertoire 02.03.2026

Music teachers recognize that finding the "right" repertoire can have a huge impact on students' ongoing musical development. So what do we do? Where do we go? Join Lorrie Merrell and Merlin Thompson as we explore this important topic.

#80 Music Studio Policy 22.02.2026

Join Connie Bell and Merlin Thompson as we take a close look at music studio policy and the challenge music teachers frequently face with re-scheduling missed lessons. You'll want to hear what we have to say.

#79 Making the Most from Music Lessons 16.02.2026

How can music teachers teach so that our students get the most they can from our teaching? What strategies are helpful? Join Lorrie Merrell and Merlin Thompson as we dive into this compelling topic.

#78 Music Student Ownership 09.02.2026

What does it look like when music students take ownership of their own musical journey no matter the level or age? What strategies are teachers using? Join Merlin Thompson and Paul McGlinchey as we explore this dynamic topic.

#77 Collaborative First Music Lessons 02.02.2026

How can music teachers create a collaborative environment even from the first lesson? Join Connie Bell and Merlin Thompson in this practical and thoughtful exploration.

#76 Lifelong Music Making 25.01.2026

Are you interested in helping your students become lifelong music makers? Join Lorrie Merrell and Merlin Thompson as we explore the tools that sow the seeds for our students as lifelong music makers. A thoughtful and informative discussion.

#75 Music Teaching Goals 18.01.2026

Where are music teachers headed? What inspires our teaching? What's the point of music teaching? Paul McGlinchey and Merlin Thompson explore these important questions and more in this informative podcast. Be sure to check it out.

#74 Music Teaching Challenges 12.01.2026

Ask a group of music teachers what they find challenging about teaching and you'll most likely encounter topics like student engagement and teacher exhaustion. Join Merlin Thompson and Paul McGlinchey for a conversation about three must-have tools to use in response to today's music teaching challenges.

#73 Music Lesson Planning Ahead 05.01.2026

It's the first week of lessons - the perfect time to gather the most up-to-date information and plan for the months ahead. Lorrie Merrell and Merlin Thompson share how this activity is a main-stay for effective music teaching.

#72 Reflections & Reports 05.12.2025

It's December and that means it's time to wrap things up for another term. Join Lorrie Merrell and Merlin Thompson as we explore the simple routines of reflecting on our teaching, making out report cards, and meeting with parents and students to share our thoughts.

#71 Review & Refine 21.11.2025

Join Lorrie Merrell and Merlin Thompson as we explore the strategy of Review & Refine. Based on a Language-Learning Model, Review & Refine is a super way music teachers can provide support and impetus for students' ongoing musical development. Enjoy!

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