The MERFY Podcast

Happy summer! In this episode, I cover a 2012 piece from the Journal of Research in Music Education titled, “An Observational Study of Intermediate Band Students’ Self-Regulated Practice Behaviors” by Peter Miksza, Stephanie Prichard, and Diana Sorbo. Full citation: Miksza, P., Prichard, S., & Sorbo, D. (2012). An observational study of intermediate band students’ self-regulated practice behav...

In this episode, I share a conversation from this past fall with Dr. Brian Weidner. We discuss his research on disrupting existing teaching patterns with new practices. Enjoy!

In this episode, I cover a 2019 piece from Frontiers in Psychology titled, “Deliberate Practice and Proposed Limits on the Effects of Practice on the Acquisition of Expert Performance: Why the Original Definition Matters and Recommendations for Future Research” by K. Anders Ericsson and Kyle W. Harwell. Full Citation: Ericsson, K. A., & Harwell, K. W. (2019). Deliberate practice and proposed limit...

In this episode, I cover a 2019 article from the Journal of Research in Music Education titled, “Psychological Needs and Motivation Outcomes in a High School Orchestra Program” by Paul Evans and Mark Y. Liu. Full Citation: Evans, P., & Liu, M. Y. (2019). Psychological needs and motivational outcomes in a high school orchestra program. Journal of Research in Music Education , 67 (1), 83–105.

This week, I bring you a conversation I had back in August with musician, teaching artist, podcaster, and musical codeswitcher Liz Rosa. Here us chat over on Liz's podcast, Once Upon a Band Geek, in June of 2024 here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1dDtlWyGCRpFO3RnehfgvC?si=073098d56af24f60 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/once-upon-a-band-geek/id1539670319?i=1000660010214 Full Citation: Is...

Happy Spring Break! This week, I’m covering a 2024 article from the Bulletin of the council for Research in Music Education called “Democratic Practices in the Elementary Music Classroom” by David Dockan. Full Citation: Dockan, D. (2024). Democratic practices in the elementary music classroom. Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education , 242 , 55–76. https://doi.org/10.5406/21627223.2...

I'm baaaaaaack! And it is so good to BE back! This week, I’m covering a 2009 article from Update: Applications of Research in Music Education titled, “Choral Student Perceptions of Effective Motivation Strategies” by Rick A. Stamer. Full Citation: Stamer, R. A. (2009). Choral student perceptions of effective motivation strategies. Update: Applications of Research in Music Education , 28 (1), 25–32...

It's the first day of school in my world - happy fall semester, everyone! This week, I’m re-releasing episode 9 as a point of reflection moving into the 2024-2025 academic year. In episode 9, I focused on a 2016 article from the Journal of Research in Music Education titled, “Bullying Victimization Among Music Ensemble and Theatre Students in the United States” by authors Kenneth Elpus and Bruce A...

In this MERFY pod Guest Special, you'll hear Dr. Danni Gilbert discuss a study recently published in the College Music Symposium called, “Women’s Perceptions of Advancement Opportunities in Higher Education Music Settings: A Mixed Methods Study” - co-authored with Briana Nannen and Susan Vollbrecht.  Full Citation: Gilbert, D., Nannen, B., & Vollbrecht, S. (2024). Women’s Perceptions of Advanc...

In this episode, I talk about a 2024 study from UPDATE: Applications of Research in Music Education titled, “A Survey of Secondary Choir Teachers’ Immediacy, Ensemble Setup, and Use of Classroom Space” by Nicholas E. Roseth. Full citation: Roseth, N. E. (2024). A Survey of Secondary Choir Teachers’ Immediacy, Ensemble Setup, and Use of Classroom Space. Update : Applications of Research in Music Ed...

In this episode, I reflect on my experiences sharing research at the 2024 MISTEC Pre-Conference in Tallinn, Estonia and ISME World Conference in Helsinki, Finland. Relevant Links: ISME Website MISTEC Webpage i2Choir Webpage

In this episode, I talk about a 2023 article from the Journal of Research in Music Education called, “Burnout and Perceived Agency Among Texas Choir Teachers” by Jessica Napoles, Jamey Kelley, and Thomas J. Rinn. Full Citation: Nápoles, J., Kelley, J., & Rinn, T. J. (2023). Burnout and Perceived Agency Among Texas Choir Teachers. Journal of Research in Music Education , 71 (3), 283–296. https:...

In the very first MERFY pod Guest Special, you'll hear Dr. Mary Young discuss her research on Native American choral music, collaborations with Native composers, and plans for research to aid in Native choral visibility and access. Digital Commons link for Mary's document. ProQuest link for Mary's document. Full PDF link.

In this episode, I discuss a 2016 study from the Journal of Music Teacher Education titled, “Perceptions of Course Value and Issues of Specialization in Undergraduate Music Teacher Education Curricula” by Timothy J. Groulx. Full Citation: Groulx, T. J. (2016). Perceptions of Course Value and Issues of Specialization in Undergraduate Music Teacher Education Curricula. Journal of Music Teacher Educa...

This is episode 2 of a 2-part series covering a 2024 article from Update: Applications of Research in Music Education called, “LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in U.S. Choral Classrooms” by Heather N. Shouldice and Sydney Timmer.  In this episode, I also highlight portions of the related 2023 NAfME Divisive Concepts and Music Education Report briefly referenced in the Shouldice and Timmer piece.  Please be sure...

In this episode, I bring you part 1 of a 2 part series covering a 2024 article from Update: Applications of Research in Music Education called, “LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in U.S. Choral Classrooms” by Heather N. Shouldice and Sydney Timmer. Full Citation: Shouldice, H. N., & Timmer, S. (2024). LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in U.S. Choral Classrooms. Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, 0(0). htt...

In this episode, I bring you a quick look into three different studies about dictation. Full citations below! Buonviri, N. O., & Paney, A. S. (2015). Melodic dictation instruction: A survey of advanced placement music theory teachers.  Journal of Research in Music Education, 63 (2), 224-237. doi:10.1177/0022429415584141 Lima, F. G. B., Caregnato, C., & Silva, R. da. (2021). The singing eff...

In this episode, I cover a 2012 piece from Psychology of Music called, “‘To be heard’: the social and mental health benefits of choir singing for disadvantaged adults.” This is a collaboration from 2 psychology scholars and 2 music scholars out of Australia, Genevieve A. Dingle, Christopher Brander, Julie Ballantyne, and Felicity A. Baker. Full citation: Dingle, G. A., Brander, C., Ballantyne, J.,...

In honor of Mother's Day, we revisit one of my favorite pieces and episodes so far. I hope you enjoyed your weekend and were able to honor all of the mother figures in your life! Full citation: Koops, L. H., Giotta, K. K., Steuver, J. L. G., & Ballantyne, J. (2023). Music teacher mothers’ career navigation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research Studies in Music Education, doi:10.1177/1321103X2...

This week, I’m sharing some items and reflections about a 2023 article from the Journal of Research in Music Education called “Who Takes Music With Them When They Transition to High School?” by Tevis L. Tucker and Adam Winsler. Full Citation: Tucker, T. L., & Winsler, A. (2023). Who Takes Music With Them When They Transition to High School? Journal of Research in Music Education , 71 (1), 22–4...

I'M BACK! Thanks for being patient as I tackled a large portion of my comprehensive exams! This week, I’m bringing you a 2023 piece from Psychology of Music called, “Building a mental toolbox: relationships between strategy choice and sight-singing performance in higher education” by Justine Pomerleau-Turcotte, Francis Dubé, Maria Teresa Moreno Sala, and Francois Vachon. Full Citation: Pomerleau-T...

In this episode, I share some reflections on a few things I like about music ed research and a few things I'd like to see more of from music ed research. Share your own thoughts through a review, a comment on Instagram or Threads, or an email to themerfypod@gmail.com! Note! No new episode until 04/29/24 - I’ll be in Virginia with Emily Chapman discussing communities of practice at the Mid-Atlantic...

In this episode, I cover a 2021 article from Frontiers in Psychology titled, “Hard Work and Hopefulness: A Mixed Methods Study of Music Students’ Status and Beliefs in Relation to Health, Wellbeing, and Success as They Enter Specialized Higher Education” by Dawn C. Rose, Carlo Sigrist, and Elena Alessandri. Full citation: Rose, D. C., Sigrist, C., & Alessandri, E. (2021). Hard Work and Hopeful...

In this episode, I talk about a 2023 article from the Journal of Music Teacher Education called, “The Push to 120: Reconciling Credit Hours in Undergraduate Music Education,” by Andrea Maas, Aaron T. Wacker, and Ashley D. Allen. Full Citation: Maas, A., Wacker, A. T., & Allen, A. D. (2023). The Push to 120: Reconciling Credit Hours in Undergraduate Music Education. Journal of Music Teacher Edu...

In this episode, I cover a 2016 article from the Journal of Research in Music Education titled, “Bullying Victimization Among Music Ensemble and Theatre Students in the United States” by authors Kenneth Elpus and Bruce Allen Carter.  NOTE! Next week is spring break - I'm taking a week off from the podcast to spend time with my husband, my kid, and my cat. I'll see you back here on 03/18/24! Full C...