The Crescendo Music Education Podcast

Welcome back to Crescendo Chat — the podcast for primary classroom music teachers who want to do their best work, love what they do, and keep showing up for their students every day. Today's guest is someone who has inspired thousands of music educators around the world through his message of mindset, mindfulness, and leadership. Recently, I had the privilege of hearing him speak in person, a...

Welcome back to Crescendo Chat . This is Part 3 of my conversation with Katie Argyle. Over the last two episodes, we've explored the role of artificial intelligence in music education. We discussed why AI doesn't replace great teaching, looked at practical tools music educators can use right now, and unpacked ways technology can help reduce workload and create new learning opportunities....

Welcome back to Crescendo Chat . This is Part 2 of my conversation with Katie Argyle. In Part 1, we explored the big picture of artificial intelligence in music education. Katie shared why music teachers don't need to fear AI and explained how these tools can support teaching while preserving the human connection at the heart of music-making. In this episode, we get practical. Katie takes us...

Today on Crescendo Chat , I’m joined by Katie Argyle for the first episode in a special series on artificial intelligence and music education. If the words AI and education make you feel excited, curious, overwhelmed, or even a little nervous, you’re not alone. AI is everywhere right now, and many music teachers are wondering what it means for their classrooms, their workload, and even the future...

Welcome back to Crescendo Chat . This is Part 2 of my conversation with Chris Munce from Choralosophy. In Part 1, Chris shared his journey through choral education and unpacked the deeper philosophy behind why music — and especially singing together — matters so much in the lives of young people. In this episode, we move into the practical side of teaching while still keeping that big-picture lens...

Today on Crescendo Chat , I’m joined by Chris Munce — choral conductor, educator, and host of Choralosophy, one of the world’s top music education podcasts and a leading voice in global choral education. Chris has spent more than 20 years as a choral director at Lee's Summit High School. He also directs Kantorei KC, a professional choir based in Kansas City. Alongside that work, he’s built Ch...

Welcome back to Crescendo Chat . This is Part 2 of my conversation with Kate Albury. In Part 1, Kate shared her journey as a choral educator and unpacked the power of storytelling in helping students connect to music in authentic and lasting ways. In this episode, we turn toward the bigger picture of music education within school culture. Kate shares practical insights from her work at Brisbane Bo...

Today on Crescendo Chat , I’m joined by Kate Albury — choral conductor, adjudicator, workshop presenter, and a passionate advocate for creating meaningful musical experiences for young people. Kate is currently the Head of Co-Curricular — Culture and Enrichment Programs at Brisbane Boys' College, where she works across music, culture, and student life to build communities where students feel...

Welcome back to Crescendo Chat . This is Part 2 of my conversation with Sean Martin from The Quarantined. In Part 1, Sean shared his journey—how his experiences as a musician and veteran shaped his voice, his purpose, and his connection to music as something far deeper than performance. In this episode, we go further. We dive into what music can offer young people who are struggling. We talk about...

Today on Crescendo Chat , I’m joined by Sean Martin — singer, guitarist, and producer behind The Quarantined. Sean brings a perspective we don’t often hear on this podcast. He’s not a music educator. Instead, he’s a working musician, an Iraq War veteran, and a passionate advocate for mental health and creative authenticity. Through his work with The Quarantined , Sean creates music that doesn’t ho...

In this final part of my conversation with Ken Thompson , we move into the heart of what music education is really about — students, impact, and advocacy . Building on our earlier discussions around musicianship and teaching practice, this episode highlights real stories from the studio that show how meaningful musical growth happens over time. Through these examples, Ken reveals what truly motiva...

Welcome back to part two of my conversation with Ken Thompson , advanced piano coach and founder of the Musical Arts Center of San Antonio. After exploring his journey and teaching philosophy in part one, this episode shifts into practical application. Specifically, we unpack what it means to teach for deep musicianship , not just surface-level success. Throughout this conversation, Ken shares how...

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Ken Thompson , advanced piano coach, music educator, and founder of the Musical Arts Center of San Antonio. With decades of experience in piano teaching and music education , Ken works with high-level students while also mentoring teachers to build deep, long-term musicianship and artistry . His approach focuses on student-centered learning , helping musicians d...

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by two remarkable musicians, educators, and collaborators — Jen Teh and Kate Schirmer . Jen and Kate both live deeply in the world of music education. They teach, mentor, conduct, and inspire musicians at many levels. At the same time, they continue to create and perform their own music, bringing years of experience from classrooms, rehearsal rooms, and stages into...

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by two remarkable musicians, educators, and collaborators — Jen Teh and Kate Schirmer . Jen and Kate both live deeply in the world of music education. They teach, mentor, conduct, and inspire musicians at many levels. At the same time, they continue to create and perform their own music, bringing years of experience from classrooms, rehearsal rooms, and stages into...

Welcome back to part two of my conversation with Nicola Cantan , piano educator and founder of Vibrant Music Teaching . In part one, we explored Nicola’s journey and her philosophy around creativity and musicianship in the piano studio. In this episode, we go deeper into practical application and teacher mindset. We unpack what it really looks like to move from “toe-dipping” into fully “swimming”...

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Nicola Cantan — piano teacher, educator, author, and the creative force behind Vibrant Music Teaching . Nicola helps piano teachers move beyond traditional, note-by-note instruction and into lessons that feel playful, musical, and deeply engaging. She blends strong pedagogy with practical, studio-ready ideas that teachers can implement right away. She’s especial...

Welcome back to our conversation with Laura Bartolomeo . In part one, Laura shared her journey, her teaching philosophy, and the heart behind her work. In this next segment, we shift into practical takeaways and big-picture thinking—the kind that sticks with you long after the episode ends. This is our Nuggets of Fabulous section, where Laura shares simple ideas that create meaningful change in th...

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Laura Bartolomeo , a veteran elementary music teacher with nearly 40 years of classroom experience. Laura is the creator of Oodles of Music , a trusted resource for elementary music educators looking for practical, time-saving lessons. Laura focuses on Orff-inspired teaching that keeps students moving, creating, and making music together. She helps teachers plan...

In Part 1, Debbie and Beth shared the personal journeys behind their books. In this episode, the focus shifts to real-world impact and practical takeaways . This conversation centres on what happens after the book is written — when readers begin to change, reflect, and take action. Using the same “my turn, your turn” format, Debbie and Beth respond to three powerful questions. They share reader st...

Today on the Crescendo Music Education Podcast , Debbie welcomes music educator, author, and wellbeing advocate Beth Duhon for Part 1 of a special two-episode series. Beth brings more than 20 years of experience teaching early childhood, elementary, and secondary music, along with private instruction. She is the creator of Self Care for the Music Educator , the host of the Happier Music Teacher Po...

Welcome back to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast. Today, we’re continuing our conversation with Ann Kay in Part 2 of this important discussion on early childhood music education. In Part 1, Ann shared the research, results, and philosophy behind daily singing and musical fitness for young learners. In this episode, we shift the focus to advocacy, collaboration, and what it really takes to cre...

Today on the Crescendo Music Education Podcast, Debbie is joined by the inspiring Ann Kay for a rich conversation about early childhood music education, brain development, and the power of daily singing. Ann is the author of A Song a Day and Brain Prep for Pre-Readers , and her work focuses on one powerful idea: small, consistent music-making habits can create extraordinary outcomes for young chil...

Welcome back to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast. Today, we’re continuing our conversation with the incredible Emma Dean in Part 2 of our Crescendo Chat. In our first episode, Emma shared her journey as a musician, composer, choir leader, and creativity coach — and explored how music, community, and personal expression shape the work she does. In this episode, we go even deeper. Part 2 dives...

Today on the Crescendo Music Education Podcast, we are absolutely thrilled to welcome Emma Dean. Emma is an award-winning Australian musician, composer, choir leader, and creativity coach whose work lives at the powerful intersection of music, community, and personal expression. Known for her genre-defying songwriting and compelling storytelling, Emma’s career spans performance, recording, theatre...