Chaotic Harmony

Jonathan Seligman (San Diego) and Jasmine Mah (American River) welcome guests Aiko Sakazaki and Frank LaGuardia (Los Angeles)—leaders from Orff chapter boards across California—to unpack the realities of keeping local chapters thriving in a post-COVID world.

We talk about:

• Chapter successes and struggles

• The changing needs of music teachers

• How boards are adapting to 2025

• What’s helping chapters stay active, connected, and sustainable

If you’re a music educator, board member, or Orff enthusiast, this episode offers clarity, ideas, and community. Tune in and connect with what’s really happening in our California Orff world.

Our Social Media: @CHClassroom

Email us: [email protected]

Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CHClassroom

Jonathan Seligman: @mrSeligman

Jasmine Mah: @jasminericeflour

Frank: franklaguardia.com

LA Orff: laorff.org

AROSA: americanriverorff.com

SDAOSA: sdorff.org

Reverse Spiccato: Levels

Crystal Pridmore is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony Classroom. To see more of what she is doing, visit Crystal Pridmore's home page at www.crystalpridmore.com

Jonathan Seligman is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony. To see his happenings and all he's doing, go check his website at www.jonseligman.com

Bryan Pridmore is a financial advisor at Mission Trails Financial.

Mission Trails Financial provides awareness, education, and implementation for individuals and businesses looking to navigate their financial pathways.

As a Fiduciary, the financial advisor is required to act within the best interest of the client.

Please set up an appointment by calling (619) 419-0238 or by visiting missiontrailsfinancial.com

We are continuing our conversation on how can we make our elementary music classrooms more inclusive, compassionate, and representative of every student we teach! This is part two of our episode on the joys and struggles of music education through the LGBTQIA+ lens, hosted by Jamie Jun and Crystal Pridmore, and joined by Danny McKay and Ashtyn Avella!

Did you miss out on last week's episode, don't forget to check that out.

Topics include:

Navigating identity and authenticity as music educators;

Why representation, allyship, and advocacy matter in elementary music;

Practical ways to support LGBTQIA+ students in your classroom.

Join us for an honest and earnest discussion that blends storytelling with actionable advice since inclusive teaching isn’t a trend -- it’s a harmony we build together.

Our Social Media: @CHClassroom

Email us: [email protected]

Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CHClassroom

Crystal Pridmore: @mrs.pridmore

Jamie Jun: [email protected]

Danny: @dannyplansit

Spiccato: Fan!

Crystal Pridmore is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony Classroom. To see more of what she is doing, visit Crystal Pridmore's home page at www.crystalpridmore.com

Jonathan Seligman is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony. To see his happenings and all he's doing, go check his website at www.jonseligman.com

Bryan Pridmore is a financial advisor at Mission Trails Financial.

Mission Trails Financial provides awareness, education, and implementation for individuals and businesses looking to navigate their financial pathways.

As a Fiduciary, the financial advisor is required to act within the best interest of the client.

Please set up an appointment by calling (619) 419-0238 or by visiting missiontrailsfinancial.com

In this two-part episode of Chaotic Harmony, hosts Jamie Jun and Crystal Pridmore sit down with Danny McKay and Ashtyn Avella to explore what it means to teach elementary music through an LGBTQIA+ lens. Together, they share personal stories, reflect on why inclusion and representation matter in music classrooms, and offer practical strategies for creating spaces where every student feels seen, safe, and celebrated.

Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned educator, come join us! This conversation will spark reflection, empathy, and action—because music is for everyone.

Our Social Media: @CHClassroom

Email us: [email protected]

Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CHClassroom

Crystal Pridmore: @mrs.pridmore

Jamie Jun: [email protected]

Danny: @dannyplansit

Crystal Pridmore is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony Classroom. To see more of what she is doing, visit Crystal Pridmore's home page at www.crystalpridmore.com

Jonathan Seligman is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony. To see his happenings and all he's doing, go check his website at www.jonseligman.com

Bryan Pridmore is a financial advisor at Mission Trails Financial.

Mission Trails Financial provides awareness, education, and implementation for individuals and businesses looking to navigate their financial pathways.

As a Fiduciary, the financial advisor is required to act within the best interest of the client.

Please set up an appointment by calling (619) 419-0238 or by visiting missiontrailsfinancial.com

What are community schools and how do they pertain, uplift, and bolster music programs? 🎨🎵

Music teacher Leah Nevarez joins us again, this time to explore how community schools, how they enrich the people that live in the neighborhood, their impact on Chula Vista, and how they build partnerships that help music programs thrive. This episode dives into how schools can become community hubs that support the whole child—and the whole artist. Curious to hear more? Join us!

Our Social Media: @CHClassroom

Email us: [email protected]

Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CHClassroom

Genesis: @mr.santosmusic

Jonathan: ⁨@MrSeligman⁩

Leah: @metzlipapalotl; [email protected]

[Reverse] Spiccato: Vocal Exploration

Crystal Pridmore is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony Classroom. To see more of what she is doing, visit Crystal Pridmore's home page at www.crystalpridmore.com

Jonathan Seligman is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony. To see his happenings and all he's doing, go check his website at www.jonseligman.com

Bryan Pridmore is a financial advisor at Mission Trails Financial.

Mission Trails Financial provides awareness, education, and implementation for individuals and businesses looking to navigate their financial pathways.

As a Fiduciary, the financial advisor is required to act within the best interest of the client.

Please set up an appointment by calling (619) 419-0238 or by visiting missiontrailsfinancial.com

Crystal is back! In this heartfelt episode, we catch up with Mrs. Pridmore as she shares what it’s like to step away from full-time teaching after 15+ years in the elementary music classroom. Here, she reflects on the joys and challenges of leaving the classroom, her new role with Guitars in the Classroom supporting general education teachers in bringing music to their students, and what she’s learned about music education from a new perspective. Join us as we talk about identity, transition, legacy, and how the heart of a music teacher continues to make an impact—no matter where the classroom is.

Our Social Media: @CHClassroom

Email us: [email protected]

Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CHClassroom

Crystal: @mrs.pridmore

Jonathan: ⁨@MrSeligman⁩

Spiccato: "How Did I Know?" - Stuart Stotts

Crystal Pridmore is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony Classroom. To see more of what she is doing, visit Crystal Pridmore's home page at www.crystalpridmore.com

Jonathan Seligman is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony. To see his happenings and all he's doing, go check his website at www.jonseligman.com

Bryan Pridmore is a financial advisor at Mission Trails Financial.

Mission Trails Financial provides awareness, education, and implementation for individuals and businesses looking to navigate their financial pathways.

As a Fiduciary, the financial advisor is required to act within the best interest of the client.

Please set up an appointment by calling (619) 419-0238 or by visiting missiontrailsfinancial.com

Today, Genesis, Jamie, and Jonathan explore the challenge of building meaningful connections with hundreds of students in the elementary music classroom(s). We share practical strategies for remembering names, learning our students’ strengths, and making every student feel seen, even when juggling multiple school sites, thousands of students, and limited class time. It gets real out here. So come and join us!

Our Social Media: @CHClassroom

Email us: [email protected]

Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CHClassroom

Ashley: [email protected]

Genesis: @mr.santosmusicteacher

Jamie: [email protected]

Jonathan: ⁨@MrSeligman⁩

Spiccato: Sponge

Crystal Pridmore is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony Classroom. To see more of what she is doing, visit Crystal Pridmore's home page at www.crystalpridmore.com

Jonathan Seligman is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony. To see his happenings and all he's doing, go check his website at www.jonseligman.com

Bryan Pridmore is a financial advisor at Mission Trails Financial.

Mission Trails Financial provides awareness, education, and implementation for individuals and businesses looking to navigate their financial pathways.

As a Fiduciary, the financial advisor is required to act within the best interest of the client.

Please set up an appointment by calling (619) 419-0238 or by visiting missiontrailsfinancial.com

Last year at the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) Conference, Ashley Brown Woodside gave a presentation on movement and animation. One of her final points was this notion that "touch is vital." Today, Ashley joins the conversation to expound on that idea. Why is touch vital? How can we create good accommodations for learners? And SO much more! Join us!

Our Social Media: @CHClassroom

Email us: [email protected]

Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CHClassroom

Ashley: [email protected]

Genesis: @mr.santosmusicteacher

Jonathan: ⁨@MrSeligman⁩

Jasmine: @jasminericeflour

Spiccato: USB Cable

Crystal Pridmore is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony Classroom. To see more of what she is doing, visit Crystal Pridmore's home page at www.crystalpridmore.com

Jonathan Seligman is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony. To see his happenings and all he's doing, go check his website at www.jonseligman.com

Bryan Pridmore is a financial advisor at Mission Trails Financial.

Mission Trails Financial provides awareness, education, and implementation for individuals and businesses looking to navigate their financial pathways.

As a Fiduciary, the financial advisor is required to act within the best interest of the client.

Please set up an appointment by calling (619) 419-0238 or by visiting missiontrailsfinancial.com

Performances can be a dirty word in the general music space and it can be the bloodline of our program. Sasha leads the conversation on how varying Chaotic Harmony members deal with performances/informances, why we do them, and advice we give to others. What are your thoughts on performances? Join us!

Our Social Media: @CHClassroom

Email us: [email protected]

Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CHClassroom

Sasha Stone: [email protected]

Jasmine: @jasminericeflour

Jonathan: @mrseligman

Episode produced by Marc Keehmer

Crystal Pridmore is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony Classroom. To see more of what she is doing, visit Crystal Pridmore's home page at www.crystalpridmore.com

Jonathan Seligman is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony. To see his happenings and all he's doing, go check his website at www.jonseligman.com

Bryan Pridmore is a financial advisor at Mission Trails Financial.

Mission Trails Financial provides awareness, education, and implementation for individuals and businesses looking to navigate their financial pathways.

As a Fiduciary, the financial advisor is required to act within the best interest of the client.

Please set up an appointment by calling (619) 419-0238 or by visiting missiontrailsfinancial.com

Today, we interview former classroom teacher turned children's author Christine Devane. She just published a book called "Elephant Beach," which is about finding joy and friendship in unexpected places. Christine shares how this story and her upcoming books are about representing characters that aren't shared typically in children's literature: shy kids, grief, etc. She also shares what it was like jumping from being a teacher to an author. Join us!

Our Social Media: @CHClassroom

Email us: [email protected]

Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CHClassroom

Jonathan: @mrSeligman

Genesis: @mr.santosmusicteacher

Christine: @stined13

Get Christine's book Elephant Beach:

Amazon: https://a.co/d/13Xr4iw

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/elephant-beach-christine-devane/1147288164

Christine's Website: http://christine-devane.com/

Spiccato: Toothbrush

Crystal Pridmore is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony Classroom. To see more of what she is doing, visit Crystal Pridmore's home page at www.crystalpridmore.com

Jonathan Seligman is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony. To see his happenings and all he's doing, go check his website at www.jonseligman.com

Bryan Pridmore is a financial advisor at Mission Trails Financial.

Mission Trails Financial provides awareness, education, and implementation for individuals and businesses looking to navigate their financial pathways.

As a Fiduciary, the financial advisor is required to act within the best interest of the client.

Please set up an appointment by calling (619) 419-0238 or by visiting missiontrailsfinancial.com

Wait, you use children's picture books in the music classroom? How does that help them learn music? Jamie, Jasmine, and Sasha talk about this very thing! They share their perspective on how it stimulates the learner to become better musicians. What are your favorite children's books? How do you use them in the class? Come join us and share!

Our Social Media: @CHClassroom

Email us: [email protected]

Find Us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/CHClassroom

Jamie: [email protected]

Jasmine: @jasminericeflour

Sasha Stone: [email protected]

Spiccato: Daily Poetry Book - "Sing a Song of Seasons"

Crystal Pridmore is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony Classroom. To see more of what she is doing, visit Crystal Pridmore's home page at www.crystalpridmore.com

Jonathan Seligman is a co-host of Chaotic Harmony. To see his happenings and all he's doing, go check his website at www.jonseligman.com

Bryan Pridmore is a financial advisor at Mission Trails Financial.

Mission Trails Financial provides awareness, education, and implementation for individuals and businesses looking to navigate their financial pathways.

As a Fiduciary, the financial advisor is required to act within the best interest of the client.

Please set up an appointment by calling (619) 419-0238 or by visiting missiontrailsfinancial.com