The Crescendo Music Education Podcast

Today, we’re diving into one of my favourite mindset shifts—something simple, but incredibly powerful: “Bloom where you are planted.” This idea has carried me through so many moments in my career and life. Whether you’re feeling stuck in a job that’s not your dream role, living in a place you never thought you’d settle, or navigating a tough season—this episode is for you. We’re talking about how...

Today, I want to dive into a mindset that has made a massive difference in my teaching—and honestly, in the way I live my life: “You get what you expect.” It’s a phrase that has shaped how I approach my students, how I run my music room, and even how I challenge myself to grow as an educator. So in this episode, we’re going to unpack that idea, look at where it comes from, and explore how it plays...

Hey everyone, welcome back to the show. I’m so glad you’re here. Today, I’m diving into a phrase that’s stuck with me through all kinds of moments—both the calm and the chaotic: “Keep your powder dry.” Now, I know—it sounds a bit old-school. And it is. But it holds some serious wisdom, especially if you’re someone juggling big decisions, leadership roles, creative projects, or just trying to navig...

Welcome back to Part 2 of our conversation with Elisa Janson Jones — a true force in music education and an unwavering advocate for teacher empowerment. Elisa is the founder of the Music Teacher Guild, a vibrant community that provides mentorship, resources, and professional development tailored specifically for music educators. In addition to being a Certified AI Consultant, Elisa brings a forwar...

Today’s guest is Elisa Janson Jones — a powerhouse in the world of music education and a champion for teacher empowerment. Elisa is the founder of the Music Teacher Guild, a dynamic platform that supports music educators through mentorship, resources, and professional development. She's also a Certified AI Consultant, seamlessly blending cutting-edge technology with creative instruction to he...

Welcome back to Crescendo Music Education Podcast! If you caught our last episode, you know we had the absolute pleasure of exploring the vibrant world of children’s music with internationally loved performer and educator DARIA —and we’re thrilled to have her back for Part 2 ! Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou has spent more than 40 years traveling the globe, using music as a bridge to connect cultures an...

Welcome to Crescendo Music Education Podcast, where we dive into the stories, sounds, and sparks that inspire creativity and learning in the classroom and beyond. Today, we're taking a musical journey around the globe—and our tour guide is none other than world music children’s performer, DARIA ! For over four decades, Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou has been sharing the joy of music with families...

If you joined us for Part 1 of our conversation with Claire Hornagold, you know we explored the power of curiosity in the music room. But today, we’re shifting gears to talk about something just as important— collaboration . Teaching is so much more than just delivering a lesson plan. It’s about building relationships, working alongside other teachers, and creating meaningful learning experiences...

Claire is an incredible music educator who believes in the power of curiosity—both for us as teachers and for our students. How can we create a classroom environment where students feel encouraged to wonder , explore , and ask questions about the music they hear and create? How can curiosity fuel deeper learning, creativity, and engagement? That’s exactly what we’re diving into today. So, whether...

Welcome back to The Crescendo Music Education Podcast! If you tuned in to Part 1 of our conversation with Miranda, you know we explored the joy of music education and how to embrace the journey. But today, we’re diving even deeper—into those unforgettable impactful teaching moments that remind us why we do what we do. Every music teacher has those moments—the ones that stick with us long after the...

Welcome back to The Crescendo Music Education Podcast, the show where we dive into all things music education—tips, inspiration, and real conversations to help you thrive in the classroom. I’m Debbie O'Shea, and today, I have a special guest joining me: Miranda! Miranda is a passionate music educator who truly believes in embracing the journey, not just the destination, when it comes to teach...

Welcome back to The Crescendo Music Education Podcast, the show where we dive into all things music education, choral leadership, and the power of inclusive teaching. Today, I’m thrilled to welcome a very special guest—Elliot Rentoul! Elliot is a Brisbane-based composer, educator, and choral specialist who’s passionate about making music education accessible, engaging, and deeply connected to comm...

🎙️ Welcome back to Part 2 of our conversation, we’re diving into the heart of music education—teaching tools. For me, the voice is my favorite and most versatile tool in the music classroom. It’s the instrument we all carry with us, and it opens endless opportunities for connection, creativity, and learning. Whether it’s singing, chanting, or exploring vocal games, the voice helps create a powerfu...

Welcome to Kathryn’s Musical Heartbeat , where the rhythm of life and the melody of learning collide! From a grandfather who paid $100 for both a house and a piano, to a great-aunt honored in Edinburgh for her extraordinary contributions to singing, playing, and composing music—it seems music was destined to flow through my veins. After teaching as a classroom teacher for 10 years, I discovered ju...

Welcome to The Crescendo Music Education Podcast, where we explore the power of music to bring people together and celebrate diversity! In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome a very special guest, Bryson—a passionate advocate for inclusivity in the music classroom. Bryson has dedicated his career to ensuring every student, regardless of ability, background, or learning style, feels seen, heard,...

Today, we’re diving into Part 2 of our inspiring conversation with the incredible Ralph Hultgren. If you joined us last time, you know we explored Ralph’s passion for music education and his art of composing. In this episode, we’re shifting the spotlight to something truly vital: advocating for the child . Ralph shares his wisdom on why every decision we make as educators should start and end with...

Welcome to this special episode of the podcast, where we’re thrilled to have the legendary Ralph Hultgren as our guest! Ralph is a celebrated composer, conductor, and educator whose music has inspired musicians around the globe. In this episode, we’ll dive into his incredible journey—from his early days discovering his passion for music to becoming one of the most respected composers in the indust...

Welcome to Part 3 of our inspiring conversation with David Law! This time, we’re exploring the heart of music education: students as music makers. From instruments to choir, David shares his thoughts on fostering collaboration and encouraging self-reflection.  Get ready to feel inspired, motivated, and equipped with practical strategies to empower your students as music makers. Let’s dive in! 🎶 B...

Welcome to Part 2 of our chat with the incredible David Law! In this episode, we’re diving into the fascinating relationship between classroom music and instrumental music. How do these two worlds intersect? What’s the philosophy behind creating a cohesive music education experience? Whether you’re a music educator, a band director, or just curious about the magic of music education, this episode...

Welcome to The Crescendo Music Education Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of music education and performance! Today, we have an extraordinary guest, David Law, who has dedicated his life to shaping the musical journeys of countless individuals. So, grab a seat and join us for an inspiring conversation with the incredible David Law! Biography of David Law: David Law has conducted the Wind...

Welcome to the third and final episode in our Instrumental Series with the incredible Carmen Forgan! Over the past two episodes, Carmen has shared practical tools and strategies for teamwork and communication that have inspired us to rethink how we approach the music room. Today, we’re wrapping up this series with a jam-packed conversation full of resources, tips, and ideas you’ll want to implemen...

Welcome back to the second episode in our Instrumental Series with the amazing Carmen Forgan! In part one, Carmen inspired us with her insights on teamwork and collaboration. Today, we’re talking about one of her favorite tools: the Communication Book . The Communication Book is more than a notebook. It’s a simple way to connect school and home. Carmen will explain how it helps teachers track what...

Welcome to the first episode in an exciting three-part series on teamwork and collaboration in the music room! I’m thrilled to introduce our guest speaker, Carmen Forgan—a dynamic educator and leader who brings a wealth of expertise to our conversation. In this series, we’ll explore how fostering strong, collaborative teams can transform your teaching practice and your students’ learning experienc...

Welcome to the final episode of our 2024 podcast series! Today, we're diving into a reflective look at some beloved resources that I, Debbie,  only began using this year: Blowing in the Wind , Grizzly Bear , and A Little Seed . We’ll explore why these resources, though new to my repertoire, have made such an impact—how they connect with students, elevate the music room experience, and contrib...

Welcome to Part 2 of Decluttering Made Easy , where we dive deeper into the practical aspects of mastering the decluttering process. Building on the foundational principles explored in Part 1, this section is designed to equip you with effective strategies and actionable steps to tackle clutter head-on. Let’s embark on this next phase together and transform your home or classroom into the clutter-...