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In this season finale of That Music Podcast, Bryson reflects on the journey of the show from its early days to now, sharing his excitement for what’s ahead in Season 7. He highlights how the podcast has grown alongside his transition out of the classroom and how the addition of YouTube has opened new ways to connect. Bryson thanks listeners for their support and feedback this season, inviting the community to share ideas, guest suggestions, and topics they want explored in the upcoming season. Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to the show, this episode offers a heartfelt wrap-up and a look forward to continuing the conversation about transforming elementary music education.

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 2:21 Reflecting on the Podcast’s Growth and Impact

Links and Resources: 

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join That Music Teacher Community
• The Elementary Music Summit®

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Send us a text

The Elementary Music Summit® is back for its fourth summer, offering five days of content-specific professional development tailored for elementary music teachers. Bryson shares all the exciting details about this year’s event, happening July 7–11, including 28 expert speakers, live sessions with 24-hour replay access, and new features. Whether you attend for free or upgrade to the All Access Pass, the Summit provides practical, accessible ideas to help you create engaging, joyful, and balanced music classrooms. Tune in to discover why this Summit is Bryson’s favorite event of the year and how it can support your growth as an elementary music educator.

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:51 What to Expect This Year
• 3:32 How the Summit Grew — And Why It Matters to You

Links and Resources: 

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join That Music Teacher Community
• The Elementary Music Summit®

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Send us a text

Not all PD is created equal—and if you’ve ever sat through a session on a math curriculum you don’t teach, you already know that. In this episode, Bryson breaks down why content-specific professional development is a must for music teachers and how to start advocating for it in your district. He shares three key reasons why general PD often misses the mark for music educators and offers actionable steps for finding, requesting, and justifying music-focused learning—especially with the support of national organizations and case studies. Whether you're tired of irrelevant sessions or looking for ways to stay current and inspired, this episode will help you build the case for PD that actually speaks your language.

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 3:01 3 Concrete Reasons Why Content-Specific PD Matters
• 6:04 How to Advocate Effectively
• 7:52 Where to Start Taking Action
• 9:10 Breaking Out of “Music Teacher Island”
• 11:22 Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join That Music Teacher Community
• The Elementary Music Summit®

 

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Send us a text

In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson sits down with David Bedard—educator, preschool teacher, and longtime advocate for inclusive music education. You may remember David from his energetic presentation at the Elementary Music Summit, and in today’s conversation, he brings that same heart and insight to a discussion centered on accessibility in the music classroom.

Together, David and Bryson explore the barriers students face in traditional music education, the importance of student agency, and how educators can begin to shift their mindset toward more inclusive, empowering practices. David shares how his work at Daniel’s Music Foundation and as a preschool teacher continually reinforces the transformative power of music, no matter a person’s age or ability.

You’ll leave this episode inspired and equipped with new perspectives to serve all learners in your classroom better.

This conversation is just the beginning! David will be leading a masterclass inside That Music Teacher Community, where he’ll go even deeper into strategies for accessible and inclusive music teaching.

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 5:08 The Biggest Barriers Students Face in Traditional Music Education
• 9:32 What Sparked David’s Passion for Accessibility in the Music Classroom
• 13:19 Small Shifts, Big Impact: Creating a More Inclusive Environment
• 18:26 Practical Ways to Adapt Music Activities for Students with Disabilities
• 23:18 Debunking Common Myths About Accessibility in Music Education 
• 27:56 A Sneak Peek at David’s Masterclass for That Music Teacher Community
• 31:39 Takeaways 

Links and Resources: 

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join That Music Teacher Community

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Send us a text

In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into the exciting yet sometimes nerve-wracking process of preparing for a music teacher interview. Whether you're fresh out of college or exploring new opportunities, Bryson has tons of advice to help you stand out and land that dream job. With insights from his own experience and tips from serving on hiring committees, this episode is packed with useful ideas to help you feel more confident and prepared. Whether you're wondering how to present your teaching style or what key questions to ask, Bryson’s got you covered!

 

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:29 Bryson’s Experience with Interviews & Hiring Committees
• 3:42 What to Know Before the Interview
• 5:15 What to Expect During the Interview
• 6:13 Bonus Tip for First-Time Interviewees
• 6:52 Questions To Ask The Interviewer
• 7:41 How a Teaching Portfolio Can Leave a Lasting Impression
• 9:44 Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join That Music Teacher Community

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Send us a text

In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into a question that many educators face: When is the right time to tell your principal that you're job-searching? Whether you're looking for a new position, interviewing, or planning to leave, this conversation is packed with insights on handling these delicate situations.

 

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:42 Bryson’s Personal Insights & Experiences
• 5:08 Asking for a Reference
• 7:00 Next Steps: How to Handle the Transition Smoothly
• 9:42 Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join That Music Teacher Community

 

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Send us a text

Packing up your classroom? Whether you’re switching schools, transitioning into retirement, or just heading to a new room down the hall, this episode is packed with practical tips to help make the move a little less overwhelming. Bryson walks you through how to label what’s yours vs. what belongs to the school, strategies for organizing your materials, and how to pack in a way that sets you up for success in your new space. From labeling tricks to storage container suggestions, this episode is your go-to guide for a smoother classroom move—no matter what’s next.

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:20 Label What’s Yours (and What’s Not)
• 2:30 What to Ditch, What to Keep, and How to Label It
• 6:55 Have a Game Plan for Your New Space
• 7:49 Communicating Between Schools or Admins
• 8:39 Stick to the System That Works for You
• 9:35 Preparing for the Emotional Side of the Move
• 11:41 Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join That Music Teacher Community

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Send us a text

Feeling the end-of-year burnout creeping in? In this episode, BethAnn Hepburn joins Bryson to share simple, creative ways to keep your music classroom feeling joyful and energized—especially when testing is over and attention spans are short.

BethAnn shares how movement, outdoor learning, and playful music-making can help match students’ energy and keep things fun all the way through the last week of school. From singing games to drum circles, her ideas are practical, adaptable, and rooted in her rich background in Orff and general music education.

If you’re looking for a little inspiration (and permission to keep it light), this conversation is full of reminders that music can still be meaningful—even in May.

 

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction
• 4:29 Beating the May Slump with Movement
• 10:21 Navigating End-of-Year Challenges
• 15:51 Using Movement as a Teaching Tool
• 28:07 Sneak Peek: BethAnn’s Upcoming Masterclass
• 32:55 Takeaways 

Links and Resources: 

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join That Music Teacher Community

 

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Send us a text

Movement in the music room doesn't have to be chaotic, and it definitely shouldn't start with a complex folk dance if your students have never done movement before! In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson breaks down a more intentional and developmentally appropriate approach to introducing movement in your classroom.

You'll learn how to scaffold movement experiences so that your students can grow in confidence and coordination over time. From unstructured exploration to guided movement and finally structured activities, Bryson shares practical strategies to help students feel successful every step of the way. Whether you're new to using movement or just looking for a smoother process, this episode will help you set your students up for success, without the chaos.

Episode Chapters:

 

• 0:00 Introduction
• 2:04 The 3 Steps Toward Structure
• 8:23 Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join That Music Teacher Community

 

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Send us a text

Ever wonder if that movement activity you’re planning is the right fit for your students? In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson dives into what it really means for a movement song to be “appropriate.” Tune in for real talk about making thoughtful repertoire choices that support your students, avoid chaos, and create meaningful musical experiences. Whether you’re rocking a parachute or breaking out the scarves, this one’s packed with things to keep in mind as you plan your next movement moment!

Episode Chapters:

• 0:00 Introduction

   

• 2:06 Choosing Developmentally Appropriate Songs

   

• 3:52 Vocal Considerations

   

• 4:44 Keeping Kids Safe While They Learn

   

• 7:35 Being Culturally Respectful in Song Choices 

   
• 8:49 Takeaways

Links and Resources: 

• Elementary Newbie Guide
• Disabilities Guide
• Steady Beat Survival Guide
• Join That Music Teacher Community

 

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you!