The Orchestra Teacher Podcast

Recognized string pedagogue and conductor, Scott Laird , serves on the faculty of The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics where he is Fine Arts Coordinator and Instructor of Music. Noted for his innovative approach to ensemble development and musicianship, Laird is a frequent conductor of honor orchestras and is a sought-after conference presenter. He regularly performs on acoustic an...

Amanda Turner holds a Bachelor of Music (1998) and Master of Music (2005) in Music Education, both from University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In 2018, she received her National Board recertification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.  Currently, Mrs. Turner teaches orchestra at Ardrey Kell & East Mecklenburg High Schools, both located in Charlotte, NC.  Mrs. Turne...

Dr. Marci Major serves as Chair and Associate Professor of Music Education at West Chester University, PA, and directs the Bel Canto ensemble with the Kennett Symphony Children’s Chorus. As an active researcher, Dr. Major's primary research interests encompass the economics of music education in today's public schools, and choral music in the middle levels. Her research appears in the Arts Educati...

Episode 7 - Special Episode #2 on Distance Learning  Rosie Riquelme , Director of Orchestras at Collins Hill High School, received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Georgia College and State University where she was a student of Dr. Daniel Kaplunas. Rosie received her Masters of Music Education from the University of West Georgia through their online program and is continuing her own vio...

Special Episodes on Distance Learning Amid the current COVID-19 outbreak, many schools are closed so it made sense to focus a series of Orchestra Teacher Podcast episodes on the topic of Distance Learning.  Many teachers have been using technology for years, however now it has become a necessity and a requirement for teachers whose schools are closed.  This series will feature teachers from across...

Karel Butz is the Head Orchestra Director at Beckendorff Junior High School in Katy, Texas.  He previously taught orchestra in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (Houston, Texas) and Carmel Clay Schools (Carmel, Indiana) in addition to serving as adjunct violin faculty at Purdue University.  His orchestras have performed at the Midwest Clinic and are consistent UIL Sweepstakes Winne...

Erin Yelton Broadhurst is an orchestra director for the Hilliard City School District near Columbus, Ohio. She has earned Master Teacher status as designated by the State of Ohio, and in April of 2016 she received a Baldwin-Wallace Outstanding Educator Award. She has served as a string clinician for the American String Teachers’ Association (ASTA and Ohio Music Education Association conferences, a...

Recorded at the 73rd Annual Midwest Clinic...David Metrio is currently the Director of Orchestras at Lanier High School in Sugar Hill, GA as well as the conductor for the Georgia Youth Symphony Camerata Orchestra. He has studied double bass under Dr. James Barket (Kennesaw State), Mr. Joseph Mcfadden (Atlanta Symphony), and Mr. Michael Kurth (Atlanta Symphony). Mr. Metrio has also performed with s...

Dr. Blair Williams (PhD, The Ohio State University, MM, Kansas State University, BME, Baylor University) is an Assistant Professor of String Music Education in the School of Music at Texas Tech University. Her duties at Texas Tech include supervising string student teachers, teaching courses in string music education, instruction in instrumental/orchestral conducting, and directing the Texas Tech...

Our inaugural episode features an interview with Mr. Matthew Radspinner, orchestra director at Williamsport Area High School in Pennsylvania. Matthew Radspinner was appointed to the position of Orchestra Director at Williamsport Area High School in 2011 but has served in the district since 2005. Previously he directed Williamsport Area Middle School and Elementary orchestras. Mr. Radspinner has ha...

My newest project is this podcast, called “The Orchestra Teacher.” It is my hope that I will be able to capture the interest of string and orchestra teachers by interviewing some of the most outstanding educators in our profession to get their insight into what they do. I want to learn about their educational philosophies, daily routines, teaching strategies, successes, and situations that challen...