"I don't know where I'd be without music."

This comes from Ben Hayes, ETM board member and Vice President at Goldman Sachs where he serves as a member of the legal team within Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Long before law school, Ben performed with a number of orchestras, concert bands, jazz groups, and brass ensembles, including tours with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. He also performed and toured as a musician in Blast! The Broadway Show throughout the U.S., Japan, and South Korea.

For our final Notables episode of the season, we speak with Ben about his formative experiences as a music student and performer. From the influence of his high school band director to performing to sold out audiences in Tokyo, Ben's life and career has been shaped by the lessons he's learned from the hours and hours of practice, preparation, and performance as a musician. Tune in for proof of how making room for music can unlock enthusiasm and cultivate a mindset to bring one's full self into all facets of life.

We're delighted to release our next Notables podcast episode with Keanan Duffty, musician, co-founder of the rock band Slinky Vagabond, award-winning fashion designer, and educator. In this inspiring conversation, Keanan shares with us his formative experiences with music and fashion as well as his invaluable perspectives on the importance of collaboration, self-expression, and forging one's own creative path. We're also thrilled to be honoring Keanan with the Music Innovation Award at our upcoming 2025 Gala "Making Minds Sing!" on May 15th! Tune in now at your favorite podcast platform or etmonline.org/podcast to hear from a true innovator and trailblazer. And to join or support our gala visit etmonline.org/gala!

We had the great privilege to speak with GRAMMY-nominated composer, curator, and activist Carlos Simon. Carlos is Composer-in-Residence for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and holds the inaugural Composer Chair of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the first in the organization’s 143-year history. And coming up this April, Gustavo Dudamel will lead the world premiere of Simon’s Good News Mass with the LA Philharmonic, a celebratory homage to Black joy, spiritual discovery, and the power of faith.

In this inspiring conversation, Carlos talks about his musical roots and its ongoing influence in his work, his artistic process, as well as advice he received from his teachers early in his career that has guided his craft since. Emphasized throughout is Carlos's belief that music should be a means of service to others. Tune in now to hear from this acclaimed artist as he continues to reach new heights and make music accessible to all.

For our first episode of 2025 we go inside the modern band movement with an esteemed group of music educators with decades of experience among them. Joining us is Dr. Scott Burstein, Director of Professional Development & Higher Education with Music Will; Dr. Tom Zlabinger, Associate Professor of Music at York College and President of MEANYC; Alfredo Hernandez, Music Director of All Hallows High School and ETM Alum; and Dr. Joe DeMarco, third-year ETM Teacher at MS 419 in Queens.

With wisdom, humor, and drawing from decades of experience in and outside of the classroom, we explore the successes and challenges of building a modern band program and examine how the growing movement is providing music teachers with an accessible, relevant, and student-centered education.

Tune in now to be inspired by some of today's leading modern band practitioners. Available now on your favorite podcast platform! And be sure to subscribe and leave us a review.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ryan Zellner, CEO of the International Society for Music Education (ISME) and a lifelong advocate for music education. From first being inspired by music in the fourth grade when hearing a brass band to leading music education programs across the globe, Dr. Zellner shares his incredible journey.

We explore Dr. Zellner’s career path, from starting as a music teacher to spearheading major initiatives, including building music education programs in Saudi Arabia. Now, as CEO of ISME, he’s driving innovation in global music education and asking a critical question: how can we advance  the state of music education worldwide?

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of music education and how it can continue to innovate to keep students engaged. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or music enthusiast, this episode is sure to strike a chord!

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“Until we start understanding each other, how can we play together? How can we be together? Not just musically, but as a society…” - Dr. Alice Hammel 

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Alice Hammel–renowned music educator, scholar, author, and clinician–dives into the transformative power of music education and how it can be used as a tool for building inclusivity and understanding.

Drawing from her rich experiences working with students with disabilities and differences, Dr. Hammel shares how adapting traditional teaching methods and creating inclusive environments can help all students to thrive.

Dr. Hammel also reflects on her 15+ years collaborating with ETM teachers, emphasizing the unique energy and experiences that they bring and how they’re creating spaces where all students feel seen and heard.

Tune in for an inspiring and enlightening conversation. If you have any comments or questions, you can learn more and reach out to Dr. Hammel at https://alicehammel.weebly.com/.

And remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode. 

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In this episode of Notables, GRAMMY-nominated musician Scott Sharrard delves into the profound connection between music and storytelling, and why it’s an essential skill. From sharing personal anecdotes about his music education and inspirations, to reflecting on the evolution of the music industry, Scott offers deep insights for aspiring musicians. He also gives practical advice for today’s artists: create your own content while embracing the world around you. 

Tune in as Scott and host Noah Teachey dive into these topics and so much more. And remember to subscribe and leave us a review!

Did you know that music education can have immense benefits for the entire community?

In this episode of Education Through Music: The Podcast, host Noah Teachey sat down with principal Greta Ratjen, music teacher Jess Parr, students, and their parents from our partner school P.S. 72. 

During the last school year, Greta and Jess worked with ETM to start a new band program. The results have been incredible – from boosting attendance and confidence to bringing the whole neighborhood together. 

Tune in to hear first-hand accounts from three of the students in band, their parents, Greta, and Jess. And don’t miss the chance to hear snippets from the band’s recent concert!   

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In this episode of Notables, host Noah Teachey is joined by GRAMMY-winning artist Israel Houghton and music industry executive Chris Atlas to discuss their personal experiences with music education, the power of relationships in driving change, and the impact of arts programs in underserved communities. Israel and Chris share their perspectives on the role of music in their lives and the significance of giving back to the community.

Join them as they highlight the transformative power of music and the importance of nurturing young talent through education.

Over half of NYC schools do not have a full-time certified music teacher on staff. This reality, in combination with a national teacher shortage, has caused music educator vacancies at far too many schools. In response, ETM launched its Music Teacher Workforce Development Program during the 2023-2024 school year to create pathways for musicians interested in teaching music to receive the opportunity, training, and support they need to navigate the process of becoming certified teachers.

In this episode, we go inside ETM's pioneering workforce development program to understand the origins and impact of the initiative during its first year. We speak with ETM leadership, instructional supervisors, master teachers, and ETM's first cohort of interns for a holistic perspective on how ETM is uniquely building the next generation of qualified music educators in NYC schools. Be inspired and stream now!