In Episode 91, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Alisa Hanson—music educator, researcher, and recent PhD graduate—for a rich conversation about experimentation, creativity, and student-centered teaching. Alisa shares insights from her dissertation and describes how she brought student agency and creative risk-taking into her music classes. From improvisation circles with beginner fifth graders to a rock band-style “Pop Music Lab” class for middle schoolers, Alisa offers practical ways to make music education more engaging and responsive to students’ interests.

Listeners will be inspired by Alisa’s candid reflections on what worked, what didn’t, and how she used her own quilting practice to reflect deeply on her teaching. Whether you're an elementary, middle school, or high school teacher, this episode offers valuable takeaways—like giving students more choice, creating space for improvisation, and designing musical experiences that connect in-school learning with students' real-world musical interests. Tune in to hear how you might give yourself—and your students—permission to experiment.

Connect with Alisa and learn more:

• Email: [email protected]
• Dissertation: Becoming Music Teacher: A Quilted A/r/tographic Inquiry

More about Pass the Baton:

• Pass the Baton website
• Join the Coffee Club
• Support Pass the Baton
• Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self

In Episode 90, Theresa and Kathryn are joined by Chris Gleason for a thought-provoking conversation about grading. Chris challenges traditional notions of grading and assessment, offering compelling stories and practical strategies for shifting from compliance-based systems to student-centered, intrinsic learning environments. With humor, wisdom, and years of classroom experience, Chris explores what it means to foster agency, curiosity, and deep reflection in music education—and why students’ growth can’t (and shouldn’t) be reduced to a number or letter grade.

Whether you're brand new to the concept of ungrading or already dipping your toes in these waters, this episode is sure to get you thinking deeply about your own classroom practices. Chris reminds us that meaningful learning comes from relationships, relevance, and reflection—not from points, charts, or checklists. Tune in for an honest, encouraging, and energizing discussion that will leave you inspired to rethink assessment and empowered to make bold changes that truly benefit your students.

Connect with Chris and learn more:

• Website: www.chrisgleason.com
• Podcast: Beyond Artless
• Beyond the Notes Music Festival

Other resources from this episode:

• Episode 84 - Assessment for Growth: Empowering Student Musicians
• Episode 67 - Unlock Student Potential: Transforming Assessment in Music Education
• Episode 55 - Assessment for Learning: Nurturing Growth and Progress in Every Student
• Trust and Inspire, by Steven Covey
• Punished by Rewards, by Alfie Kohn
• The Art of Possibility, by Rosemond Stone Zander
• Hacking Assessment, by Starr Sackstein
• Undoing the Grade, by Jesse Stommel

Connect with Pass the Baton and learn more:

• Pass the Baton website⁠
• Join the Coffee Club
• Support Pass the Baton
• Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection ⁠⁠⁠⁠

In Episode 89, Kathryn and Theresa welcome Dr. Erin Zaffini, Director of Teacher Education at Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Erin specializes in access, equity, and inclusion in music education, and works extensively with teachers through workshops, consulting, and graduate education. In this insightful conversation, Erin shares her journey from unintentionally tokenizing culture in her teaching to developing sustainable, authentic practices that center student voices and community traditions. She offers powerful reflections and practical steps for educators who want to move from surface-level cultural inclusion to more meaningful engagement.

This episode is a must-listen for music educators striving to create inclusive classrooms without feeling overwhelmed. Erin reminds us that change doesn't have to happen all at once—it’s about consistent, thoughtful progress over time. Whether you're teaching general music or conducting an ensemble, you'll walk away with actionable strategies to deepen cultural relevance in your teaching. Tune in and be inspired to take that next small, meaningful step toward more inclusive music education.

Connect with Erin and learn more:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram - @doctorz_longy
• Personal website - http://www.erinzaffini.com/
• School website - http://www.longy.edu/

Other resources from this episode:

• Episode 86: The Power of Student Voice: Building Equity in Music Education, with Felipe Morales-Torres

Learn more about Pass the Baton:

• Pass the Baton website⁠⁠
• Join the Coffee Club
• Support Pass the Baton
• Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection!

In this inspiring episode, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Annie Ray, orchestra director and 2024 Grammy Music Educator Award winner, to explore the heartwarming and transformative concept of the Parent Orchestra. Annie shares how this initiative—rooted in connection and community—brings caregivers together to learn their child’s instrument and experience the joy and challenges of music-making firsthand. With over 225 participants and a growing waitlist, this thriving program fosters cross-cultural relationships and strengthens bonds between families, educators, and schools in profound ways.

Whether you're a music teacher looking to build deeper connections with your students' families or someone curious about innovative approaches to music education, this episode is for you. Annie’s passion and creativity will leave you feeling inspired to reimagine how music can unite communities and empower learners of all ages. Tune in to discover how music, when treated as a gift rather than a product, can truly bring people together in meaningful ways.

Connect with Annie and learn more:

• Instagram: @AnnieRay.Sounds
• Website: Motherhood and Music Education

Learn more about Pass the Baton:

• Pass the Baton website
• Join the Coffee Club
• Support Pass the Baton
• Amplify student voice with these Exit Tickets for Self Reflection

In episode 87, Kathryn and Theresa dive into the Critical Response Process (CRP) with Mallory Alekna, Assistant Professor of Music, Human Development, and Learning at Augsburg University. Mallory shares how this four-step feedback framework, developed by choreographer Liz Lerman, can transform music classrooms by fostering meaningful dialogue and empowering students to take ownership of their learning. Through CRP, students learn to articulate their observations, ask thoughtful questions, and engage in constructive, permission-based feedback. By integrating this process into music education, teachers can create more equitable, student-centered environments that encourage creativity, agency, and collaborative learning.

Music teachers will leave this episode with practical strategies for implementing CRP in their classrooms, whether through peer feedback on student compositions, discussions about performance techniques, or even broader conversations about musicianship as an ongoing journey. If you're looking for ways to shift from a traditional top-down approach to one where students feel truly heard and valued, this episode is packed with insights and actionable takeaways to help you get started.

Connect with Mallory and learn more:

• Contact Mallory
• Learn about the Critical Response Process
• Connect with an Expert Facilitator

More about Pass the Baton:

• Website
• Join the Coffee Club
• Support Pass the Baton
• Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection

In episode 86, we dive into the critical role of student voice in fostering equity and inclusivity in music education. Our guest, Felipe Morales-Torres, shares insights from his work at the Bornoff Foundation for the Advancement of String Education, exploring how music teachers can create learning environments that empower all students. He discusses the importance of moving beyond access to ensure that music opportunities are relevant, sustainable, and meaningful for diverse student populations. Through compelling stories and practical strategies, Felipe challenges traditional norms in music education and encourages teachers to rethink how they structure ensembles, performances, and classroom interactions to better serve all students.

Music educators will find inspiration and actionable steps to make their classrooms more inclusive and student-centered. Felipe emphasizes the importance of culturally sustaining pedagogy, student agency, and breaking down silos between different musical traditions. Whether it’s through shifting performance structures, integrating diverse musical styles, or simply ensuring students have a voice in their learning, this episode provides valuable takeaways for any music teacher looking to foster a more equitable and engaging classroom. Don’t miss this conversation on how small shifts in mindset and practice can lead to lasting change in music education!

Connect with Felipe and learn more:

• Website
• Facebook
• Bornoff Foundation

Resources from this Episode:

• Exit Tickets for Music Class: Prompts, Tips, and Strategies for Student Reflection

More from Pass the Baton:

• Pass the Baton website
• Join the Coffee Club
• Support Pass the Baton
• Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection! Get it for free now. ⁠⁠⁠⁠

In episode 85, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Merlin Thompson, an experienced private music teacher, clinician, and the founder of Teach Music 21C. With over 45 years of teaching experience, Merlin shares powerful insights on fostering lifelong musicianship through reflective partnership teaching. He challenges the traditional master-apprentice model and instead emphasizes a collaborative, student-centered approach that encourages ownership, creativity, and personal connection to music. Merlin shares practical strategies for helping students engage with music beyond lessons, including his innovative “chill out concert” concept and the importance of integrating student choice into learning.

Music educators of all kinds—whether private instructors or classroom teachers—will find valuable takeaways in this conversation. Merlin’s framework of gathering information, exploring perspectives, and planning next steps provides a clear path toward more meaningful music instruction. If you’re looking to empower your students to become lifelong music-makers, this episode is packed with actionable ideas that you can implement right away. Tune in and get inspired to rethink how you approach student learning in your own teaching!

Connect with Merlin and learn more:

- Website: Teach Music 21c
- LinkedIn

- Book: More than Music Lessons

Resources from this episode:

- Episode 78: Fostering Collaboration, Ownership, and Creativity

- Student Decision Making Resource: Let Students Decide

Connect with Pass the Baton and learn more:

- Pass the Baton website

- Join the Coffee Club

- Support Pass the Baton

- Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection! Get it for free now. ⁠⁠

In episode 84, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Leah Hanley to explore how assessment can be a powerful tool for student empowerment in music education. Leah, a seasoned orchestra teacher in the Bronx, shares insights on the distinction between summative and formative assessment and how the latter can be seamlessly integrated into daily music instruction. She highlights the importance of making assessment visible to students, allowing them to take ownership of their learning. Through practical strategies like using technology for individual assessment and embedding reflection into rehearsals, Leah demonstrates how teachers can help students become independent musicians who can analyze, problem-solve, and improve their performance.

Leah also shares actionable tips that music educators can implement right away, including setting up a simple recording system for self-evaluation and using structured discussion protocols to guide student reflections. She emphasizes that authentic assessments—those that involve real music-making rather than paper-based exercises—are key to fostering meaningful growth. Whether you're looking to refine your assessment practices or find ways to engage students more deeply, this conversation is full of valuable insights to help transform your teaching. Tune in to discover how to shift the focus of assessment from judgment to growth, creating a classroom culture where students thrive.

Connect with Leah and learn more:

• https://www.stringsattached.blog/
• https://nafme.org/publications-resources/connected-arts-network-project/
• https://www.musicfirst.com/

Other resources from this episode:

• Episode 67 -Unlock Student Potential: Transforming Assessments in Music Education
• Episode 55 -Assessment for Learning: Nurturing Growth and Progress in Every Student
• Exit Tickets for Self-Reflection
• Exit Ticket for Music Classes

Learn more about Pass the Baton:

• Pass the Baton website⁠⁠
• Join the Coffee Club
• Support Pass the Baton
• Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection! Get it for free now.

In episode 83, Theresa and Kathryn welcome Jasmine Henderson to discuss her innovative approach to empowering students through social justice projects in general music classes. Jasmine shares her journey from teaching K-8 general music and choir to collaborating with university students to design a groundbreaking project called the "Sonic Justice Collage." This unique initiative allowed students to explore topics they were passionate about—such as climate change and racial injustice—and express their ideas through music, using tools like Soundtrap to create public service announcements and multimedia collages. Jasmine reflects on how this project fostered student voice, creativity, and community while also providing valuable teaching experiences for pre-service educators.

Listeners will be inspired by Jasmine’s emphasis on student-centered learning and the power of music to address meaningful societal issues. She also provides practical tips for music teachers looking to implement similar projects, including strategies for collaboration, encouraging student choice, and navigating potential challenges. Whether you're a seasoned educator or new to teaching, this episode offers actionable ideas to engage students and cultivate a classroom environment where they feel seen, heard, and empowered. Don’t miss Jasmine’s heartfelt advice and the impactful stories from her classroom!

Connect with Jasmine:

• Email: [email protected]

Other resources from this episode:

• Episode 81: Professional Collaboration
• Recording Studio Checklist
• Recording Studio Private Podcast (Coffee Club Members only)

Learn more about Pass the Baton:

• Pass the Baton website
• Join the Coffee Club
• Support Pass the Baton
• Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection! Get it for free now.

In episode 82, Kathryn and Theresa sit down with Matthew Stensrud, an accomplished music educator specializing in elementary music, responsive classroom techniques, and Orff Schulwerk approaches. Matthew shares his journey into music education, including his inspiration from mentors and his passion for creating inclusive and empowering music classrooms. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and community where students feel safe to take creative risks.

Matthew discusses actionable strategies for passing the baton to students, including movement activities, personalized compositions, and creating opportunities for student choice and voice. Highlights include empowering students through movement exercises like snowflake-inspired choreography and fourth-grade rap projects tied to identity and intersectionality. This episode is packed with practical ideas and insights to inspire music educators to cultivate creativity, collaboration, and a sense of ownership in their classrooms. Tune in to learn how small shifts in teaching practices can create transformative learning experiences for students.

Learn more about Pass the Baton: