In Episode 36, Kathryn and Theresa talk to Heather Fortune, a music educator in Philadelphia, PA. Heather is a professional flutist, with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in flute performance from Boston University. She was a freelance musician for 10-years in the Philadelphia area before becoming a flute teacher at a Quaker school in the city. After 4 years of teaching private lessons at the school, Heather was hired as the full time instrumental music teacher. Since that time, Heather has worked with the students to create a program that is musically satisfying and empowering for everyone involved.

Connect with Heather and learn more: 

Get a free book preview here: Pass the Baton: Empowering All Music Students

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Free Download: 6 Questions to Pass the Baton and Empower Your Music Students 

In Episode 35, Theresa and Kathryn talked to music educator, Zach Rush. Zach began his teaching career in international schools, teaching music in both Dubai and Pakistan. He returned to the US to get a master’s degree and then began teaching elementary general music in Arlington, Virginia. This school year, he has moved closer to home to teach music in Iowa City. In addition to teaching music, Zach is also interested in research, and how educators can use that to inform their practice.

You can connect with Zach and learn more about his work here: 

Get a free book preview here: Pass the Baton: Empowering All Music Students

For more info: Pass the Baton

Free Download: 6 Questions to Pass the Baton and Empower Your Music Students 

In episode 34, we talked to Elise Hackl-Blumstein, a former accessible music educator and current student-services coordinator in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Elise has experience teaching preschool through eighth grade music, and also has created an accessible arts organization focused on accessibility in all arts. She is passionate about making sure all students have access to music and music education. In this interview, Elise shares how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a beneficial framework for teaching all music students.

You can connect with Elise and learn more about her work here:

Get a free book preview here: Pass the Baton: Empowering All Music Students

For more info: Pass the Baton

Free Download: 6 Questions to Pass the Baton and Empower Your Music Students 

Episode 33 features an interview with two outstanding educators who are no strangers to Pass the Baton - Amy Rever-Oberle and Lauren Staniszewski. Amy is the band director at Hart Middle School in Rochester Hills, Michigan where she teaches 6th through 8th grade band. Lauren is the band director at Stoney Creek High School, also in Rochester Hills, where she teaches three high school concert bands, marching band, jazz band, and collaborates with Amy to teach one section of 6th grade band. Both educators have found that empowering their music students begins with teaching them to become independent musicians.

Connect with Amy and Lauren: 

Get a free book preview here: Pass the Baton: Empowering All Music Students

For more info: Pass the Baton

Free Download: 6 Questions to Pass the Baton and Empower Your Music Students 

In Episode 32, Kathryn and Theresa had the pleasure of speaking with Australian composer and educator Jodie Blackshaw. Jodie is a third-generation teacher. Her grandmother was one of the first people to practice Orff-Schulwerk in Australia, and her father taught in a one-room schoolhouse. Jodie’s work for concert band is nothing short of innovative. Her focus on student creativity is unmatched, which is such an amazing example of giving students ownership of their music making.

Learn more about Jodie and her work here:

Get a free book preview here: Pass the Baton: Empowering All Music Students

For more info: Pass the Baton

Free Download: 6 Questions to Pass the Baton and Empower Your Music Students 

Welcome to season 2 of the Pass the Baton podcast! In Episode 31, Kathryn and Theresa spoke with Dr. Matthew Arau, a professor of music at Lawrence University Conservatory in Appleton, Wisconsin. Prior to teaching at Lawrence, Matthew taught middle school and high school band in Loveland, Colorado. Matthew is passionate about incorporating mindset and leadership strategies in his teaching, and spoke about how we can use these to create a culture for student empowerment. He is the author of the book, Upbeat: Mindfulness, Mindset, and Leadership in Music Education and Beyond, and is also the founder of Upbeat Global.  

Learn more about Matthew's work here:  

Get a free book preview here: Pass the Baton: Empowering All Music Students

For more info: Pass the Baton

The Pass the Baton Starter Kit is just what you need to get your mind movin’ and groovin’ for the new school year. Check it out! Pass the Baton Starter Kit

This week, Kathryn and Theresa recap their school years and discuss some common themes from this season of the Pass the Baton podcast.  Some of the highlights include: 

What's next for Pass the Baton?  

Season 2 will begin in the fall 2022.  

This summer we're offering the first ever Cohort for the Empowering All Music Students course! Find more information (including a coupon code!) here: https://passthebatonbook.com/summer-cohort/

Get a free book preview here: Pass the Baton: Empowering All Music Students

For more info: Pass the Baton

Free Download: 6 Questions to Pass the Baton and Empower Your Music Students 

This week we spoke with Krystal Williams, a public school music educator in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Krystal teaches music theory and composition at Northwestern High School and also teaches at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, as a woodwind adjunct. Krystal is the music technology chair for the Maryland Music Educators Association. She is passionate about incorporating technology into her music classes, and helping other music educators do the same.

Connect with Krystal and learn more about her work here:

Get a free book preview here: Pass the Baton: Empowering All Music Students

For more info: Pass the Baton

Free Download: 6 Questions to Pass the Baton and Empower Your Music Students 

This week we had the pleasure of speaking with Ashley Cuthbertson, an elementary general music teacher in Fairfax County, Virginia. Ashley has taught music in a variety of settings, teaching private lessons, school students of all ages, and even adults at a nearby university. Ashley loves working with kids and helping them connect their learning outside the classroom. One of her passions includes creating culturally responsive music classes.

Learn more about Ashley and her work here:

Get a free book preview here: Pass the Baton: Empowering All Music Students

For more info: Pass the Baton

Free Download: 6 Questions to Pass the Baton and Empower Your Music Students 

This week’s interview was a real treat, as Kathryn and Theresa spoke with Dr. Scott Edgar about a very important topic: social emotional learning (SEL). Scott is an associate professor of music at Lake Forest College and also the department chair. He began his career teaching K-12 music in Dayton, Ohio before earning a PhD from the University of Michigan. It was there he developed an interest in SEL. Besides teaching at Lake Forest, Scott is also Director of Practice and Research for the Center for Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning.

If you are interested in learning more about Scott and his work in social emotional learning, check out these resources:

Get a free book preview here: Pass the Baton: Empowering All Music Students

For more info: Pass the Baton

Free Download: 6 Questions to Pass the Baton and Empower Your Music Students 

Free Download: Amplify Student Voice With Exit Tickets for Self Reflection