Hey friends, and welcome back to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast —the podcast where we explore the heart and craft of music education, one inspiring conversation at a time.

Today’s episode is a special one. I had the privilege of hearing our guest speak at the HALT Summit in Canberra, and his keynote left a lasting impression. There was something about the way he spoke—grounded, clear, and deeply human—that stayed with me. He reminded us that impact doesn’t end at the classroom walls… in fact, that’s often where it begins.

Joel Copeland is a distinguished music educator and leader, currently serving as the Principal of the ACT Instrumental Music Program. He’s led music programs across diverse educational settings, served as National President of Kodály Australia, and in 2021, he earned national certification as a Lead Teacher—a significant milestone that’s shaped his approach to leadership and influence.

Whether you’re a music teacher, a school leader, or just someone who believes in the quiet power of connection, this episode is filled with wisdom, encouragement, and a few “nuggets of fabulous” you won’t want to miss.

Let’s get into it. Here’s my conversation with Joel Copeland.

Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Anita Collins - Bigger Better Brains

Connect with Joel: 

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-copeland/ 

Where to find me: 

Crescendo Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crescendocommunity
Official Crescendo Page: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoMusicEd/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrescendoMusicEd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/crescendomusic
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-o-shea-62a3741b/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CrescendoDeb