The Elementary Music Teacher Podcast: Music Education

In this episode, Allison and I discuss how to do movement and improvisation in the music room while using the Orff approach.  I love how Allison breaks down how she loves doing movement and improvisation with her students and easy strategies you can implement in your own classroom even if this is brand new for you.   Allison Croskey is an elementary general music teacher from Cincin...

In podcast episode 87, we're going to talk about how to encourage love and kindness in the music room.   As a music teacher, your job is to obviously teach music, but it's so much more than that.  Your job is to also help bring up good citizens who will grow into good adults one day too.  It's hard to do this in the music room.  You're limited for time, and only have a few...

In this episode, Paige and I discuss 5 practical ways to implement social and emotional learning strategies in the music classroom.   This is something music teachers ask a lot about, because with only seeing your students for a limited amount of time, it's difficult to know how to connect with them and help them connect with others in a deeper way.  Research has shown that students...

Today's podcast interview is with the amazing Annie Rasmussen.  I'm so excited to bring her on the show to talk about teaching ukulele and curriculum design for elementary music.   She breaks down teaching ukulele so that even the most beginner of teacher can walk away feeling confident in teaching this incredible instrument. She's also super passionate about creating curriculum and if t...

Today's podcast episode with Jessica Grant is about two topics that she is both knowledgeable and passionate about... combining the Orff and Kodaly approaches and teaching music to upper elementary and middle school students.  Jessica Grant is the middle school music specialist at Good Shepherd Episcopal School in Dallas, Texas.  She taught fourteen years as an elementary public school m...

This episode is about how to have a successful first year of teaching music.  Bethany Johnson and I talk about: Her experience going from student teaching to her own classroom What it's like to team teach Advice from her heart to new music teachers Why it's important to give yourself grace when you're just starting out Bethany grew up in Richmond, VA, earned my bachelor's degree in Instrument...

Reflecting on the beginning of the school year is so important, so you're able to move forward into the rest of the year with success.  When you reflect on the start of the school year, you'll feel renewed and ready to keep teaching music like a rock star!  In this episode, we talk about: -Doing a mid-year reflection -Looking ahead towards the rest of the school year -Goal setting and wr...

Have you wondered what all the fuss is about when it comes to the HARMONY membership?  Why are so many music teachers enrolling and staying around every month?   Not only do members get monthly done for them lesson plans, lesson plan packs, and implementation lessons, they get bonus resources, monthly coaching calls, and Facebook lives where I answer questions submitted to me or posted i...

In this episode, I'm recapping every episode from 2019.  I give a short synopsis of every episode and break down what you'll learn by listening to each one.  Then, you'll be able to identify what you're needing and will be able to gain momentum before heading into 2020.  I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure to share the podcast with any...

In this episode, I talk with Matthew Stensrud, better known as "Mister S Orff" about the responsive classroom and movement ideas in the music room.  He shares so many amazing ideas that are easy to implement and that I know you'll gain so much value from.   If you're unfamiliar with what the responsive classroom is, then this episode will help you out so much.  You'll find out how t...

This time of year can feel so stressful.  You've got holiday parties, performances galore, and oh so many gifts to buy.  But, it's also possible to find joy in this season too.   In this episode, we'll discuss how even though this is the most overwhelming time of the year, it is possible to beat the holiday stress while still teaching music to your students.  I'd love for you t...

This interview is all about how to turn the negative parts of teaching music into positive ones.  Every day of being a teacher won't be all sunshine and rainbows, and in this episode we explore what to do when you feel like it's all just too hard. Traci Stewart is an elementary music teacher from Alabama who LOVES her school and LOVES her students  She has been married for 20 years and h...

I honestly can't believe it's been 3 years since I started The Domestic Musician website.  Those years seriously flew by so fast.  In this short but sweet episode, I'm going to let you know why I'm thankful for each and every one of YOU.  I'm thankful for your support and for every listen of the podcast, read of the blog, and kind message I've received.  I'd love for you to lea...

In this episode, we'll talk about how your background makes you the teacher you are today.  Think about your childhood...how did you grow up and how does that make you relate to your students?  Also, think about your background with music and how to communicate that with your students.  How did you become a musician and in your childhood, how did you know you wanted to pursue playin...

This episode with Bryson Tarbet is seriously so good.  He talks about his experience working with students on the autism spectrum and how to work with several other types of special learners in the music classroom.   Bryson Tarbet is an elementary music educator just outside of Columbus, Ohio. Between two buildings, he serves nearly 700 students, Kindergarten through 6th grade. Bryson re...

This episode with Kelly Surette is about adaptive music education and how to help your special needs learners in the music room.  We also talk about technology adaptations for deaf and hard of hearing students. Working with students who have special needs can be intimidating and overwhelming.  It's hard not knowing how to best help them and how to help them become active music makers. In...

This episode with Elizabeth Caldwell is all about restorative behavior management and equity in music education.   I love this conversation and think it is one that is so important to have.   We talk about what it's like working with kids who have gone through trauma, how you can be a great teacher no matter what your school environment looks like, and even ways to bring hip-hop mus...

I'm so excited about today's episode where Anne Mileski talks about how you can be a more purposeful, sequential, and joyful music teacher.  Anne Mileski is an elementary music specialist in Eastern Washington. She has taught elementary general music in both public and private school settings, and piloted an early childhood program for the Spokane Area Youth Choruses. She is certified in Orff...

In this episode, I'll talk about 4 ways you can celebrate Halloween in the music room with your students.  1.  Have a Halloween week  2. Sing songs 3.  Poetry and stories  4. Movement  The blog posts mentioned in this episode include:  The Ultimate List of Halloween Songs for Kids  3 of My Favorite Halloween Activities  I'd love for you to leave a ratin...

This episode with Aimee Pfitzner is about how to use the Orff approach when it comes to doing singing games and body percussion in your music classroom.  Aimee Curtis Pfitzner has been the Lower School Music Director at Cannon School in Concord for 22 years. She holds a Masters of Music degree from UNC-Greensboro and completed Level I Orff-Schulwerk Training at Bridgewater State University in...

In this episode, we'll explore how getting to year 3 and moving past that 1st and even 2nd year of teaching is so great!   Year 3 is the year of: finding your stride learning how to find the right mixture of lesson plans knowing your students better and your kids knowing the way you do things your relationship with your colleagues happening You can read a blog post that goes right along with...

In this episode, Jessica Dutton and I have a discussion about how it's ok to shift from teaching classroom music to something else like private lessons, owning your own studio, or even starting your own business online or in person.   Once you get your music education degree, this doesn't mean you're required to teach elementary music (or secondary) for the rest of your life.  If you do,...

Juggling being a parent and a teacher is not easy.  In college, there's not a course that tells you "one day you'll be a parent and do this".  Wouldn't that be nice?   The main takeaway I want you to get from this episode is to know that you're doing a better job than you think you are.  Just like when you became a teacher and it's all about just getting in there and doing it,...

In this episode, I'm sharing 10 things that music teachers really think during staff meetings.  You might be able to relate to one of all of the points, but if anything, I'm hoping you get a good laugh out of today's episode.   You can read the blog post that goes right along with this episode here.  I'd love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, be sure...

Megan Kuhar is a Marketing Technology Coach with many titles: entrepreneur, videographer, podcast producer, audio engineer, educator, and musician. She is the first-ever Assistant Professor of Music Technology at Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music, where she teaches music majors and educators about branding, marketing, and technology for artists.  Through the Fan Finder Podcast...