The Crescendo Music Education Podcast

Great music teaching rarely happens in isolation. Behind the lessons, resources, performances, and professional learning are often conversations, shared ideas, and colleagues who challenge us to keep going.

In this episode, Debbie O’Shea and Deb Brydon join Carrie and Tanya on the Music Teacher Coffee Talk Podcast to talk about the power of collaboration in music education.

Debbie and Deb share how their working partnership developed and what it really looks like behind the scenes. From planning lessons and creating assessment tasks to presenting together and organising Together Sing, they have learned how to use each other’s strengths, challenge each other’s thinking, and occasionally keep each other on track!

They also reflect on the work they are most proud of, the value of having someone beside you when the work gets difficult, and why collaboration can make us stronger and more effective educators.

Whether you have a trusted teaching partner or often find yourself doing it all alone, this conversation is a reminder that we don’t have to do our best work by ourselves.

Songs, rhymes, and books mentioned in this episode:

• My Good Old Man
• The Skeleton Clock
• Sing Around Australia

Connect with Tanya and Carrie: 

Music Teacher Coffee Talk Podcast

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

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Welcome back to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast. I’m Debbie O’Shea.

Today, we’re continuing my conversation with Melissa Stouffer from Mrs. Stouffer’s Music Room.

In Part 1, Melissa shared her love of using children’s books in the music classroom. We explored the many ways stories can support musical learning, creativity, and connection.

In Part 2, we get to know more of Melissa’s story as a music educator.

Melissa has taught general music, choir, and band. She has also experienced the challenges of teaching on a cart with no budget. Despite those limitations, she built a middle school music program from the ground up.

We talk about what she learned from that experience and how Kodály has shaped her approach to music education. We also explore student-led learning and Melissa’s belief that everyone is musical.

Finally, we talk about finding ways to save time, protect your energy, and keep the joy in teaching.

Let’s jump back into my conversation with Melissa.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Website - https://mrsstouffersmusicroom.com/
• Book List
• Praise Notes for Students

Connect with Melissa: 

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• YouTube

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

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Welcome to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast. I’m Debbie O’Shea, and I’m so glad you’re here.

Today, I’m joined by Melissa Stouffer from Mrs. Stouffer’s Music Room.

Melissa is a music educator, resource creator, and Kodály-certified teacher. She has taught students from infancy through middle school. She’s also passionate about helping busy music teachers find practical ideas that work in real classrooms.

In Part 1 of our conversation, we focus on one of Melissa’s favourite teaching tools: children’s books.

Melissa shares creative ways to use books in the elementary music classroom. We talk about books that introduce musical concepts, inspire composition and creativity, connect with songs, and bring lessons together.

We also explore how the right book can create meaningful connections between music and other areas of learning.

Melissa has even created The Ultimate Music Ed Book List to help teachers discover books they can use in their own classrooms.

If you love using stories to bring music lessons to life—or you’re looking for a simple way to get started—you’ll find plenty of ideas in this conversation.

Let’s get started.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Website - https://mrsstouffersmusicroom.com/
• Book List
• Praise Notes for Students

Connect with Melissa: 

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• YouTube

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

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Welcome back to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast. I’m Debbie O’Shea.

Today, we’re continuing my conversation with musician, educator, and Education on Fire podcast host Mark Taylor.

In Part 1, Mark shared his journey from discovering percussion at school to becoming a professional musician, educator, and podcaster.

Now, we turn our attention to the music classroom.

Mark shares practical ideas for making music part of everyday life in primary schools. We explore how rhythm and percussion can help teachers reach every child. We also discuss what Mark has learned from more than 500 conversations with educators from around the world.

Then, we tackle a topic close to both our hearts: music education advocacy. What does music need from teachers, school leaders, and policy-makers? And how can individual music teachers help champion the value of music in their own schools?

Mark brings plenty of practical ideas, experience, and encouragement to this conversation.

Let’s jump back in.

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

Support the show

Welcome to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast. I’m Debbie O’Shea, and I’m so glad you’re here.

Today, I’m joined by fellow podcaster, musician, and educator Mark Taylor.

Mark is a professional percussionist with more than 25 years of experience. He’s also the Vice Chair of the National Association for Primary Education in the UK. And he’s the founder and host of the Education on Fire podcast, which has now shared more than 500 conversations with educators from around the world.

Mark believes children need opportunities to discover what they love. Music played an important role in helping him discover his own path.

In Part 1 of our conversation, we go back to where it all began. Mark shares how a school music programme introduced him to percussion and opened a world of possibilities. We talk about his career as a professional musician, his journey into education, and what inspired him to start podcasting.

We also explore the teachers, mentors, and experiences that shaped his life along the way.

There’s so much to unpack in Mark’s story, so let’s get started.

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

Support the show

Welcome back to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast. If you haven't listened to Part 1 of my conversation with Michael Jones, I encourage you to go back and start there. We explored Michael's journey into music education and the experiences that have shaped his career.

In Part 2, we continue the conversation. We dive into building strong music programmes, creating professional communities, and advocating for music education in our schools. Michael also shares practical advice for classroom teachers, leadership insights, and his vision for the future of music education.

As always, you'll leave this episode with ideas you can apply in your own classroom and fresh inspiration for the important work you do every day.

Let's jump back into my conversation with Michael Jones.

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

Support the show

Welcome to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast. I'm Debbie O'Shea, and I'm so glad you're here.

Today, I'm joined by Michael Jones. Michael is the Director of Music at Villanova College in Queensland. He's also the Artistic Director of the Queensland Catholic Colleges' and Schools' Music Festival and the founder of both the Queensland Catholic Music Education Conference and the Catholic Music Directors' Network.

Michael has spent more than 20 years creating opportunities for young people through music. He's built music programmes, led festivals, and connected music educators across Queensland.

In Part 1 of our conversation, we explore Michael's journey into music education. We talk about the teachers and experiences that shaped him, the importance of creating opportunities for students, and why accessible, quality music education matters for every child.

Whether you teach in a primary classroom, direct an ensemble, or simply want to inspire young musicians, you'll find plenty of ideas and encouragement in this conversation.

Let's get started.

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

Support the show

Welcome to the podcast! I'm Debbie O'Shea, and I'm so glad you've joined me.

This podcast is all about supporting, encouraging, and inspiring music educators with practical ideas you can use in your classroom straight away. Whether you're a beginning teacher or have years of experience, my hope is that each episode leaves you with something new to try and reminds you why music education is such a rewarding profession.

Today, we're talking about one of my favourite teaching tools: rhythm games.

Over the years, I've discovered that some activities come and go, but there are a handful of rhythm games that I return to time and time again because they never fail to engage students and build real musical understanding. They're simple to set up, adaptable for different year levels, and, best of all, students absolutely love them.

In this episode, I'll share four of my go-to rhythm games, explain how they work, and talk about why they've earned a permanent place in my teaching toolkit. We'll explore how these games help students develop a steady beat, improve rhythmic accuracy, strengthen listening skills, and build confidence—all while having fun.

Whether you're looking for a warm-up, a transition activity, an informal assessment, or simply a new way to reinforce rhythm concepts, I hope you'll come away with an idea you can use in your very next lesson.

So, let's get started and dive into some rhythm games that work every time.

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

Support the show

Welcome to the podcast! I'm Debbie O'Shea, and I'm so glad you're here.

Whether you're a brand-new music teacher or you've been in the classroom for years, this podcast is designed to support, encourage, and inspire you with practical ideas you can use right away. Each episode is packed with strategies, teaching tips, and real classroom experiences to help make your music lessons more engaging, more effective, and more joyful—for both you and your students.

Today, we're kicking things off with one of my favourite topics: rhythm games.

If you've spent any time in an elementary music classroom, you know that rhythm games have a special kind of magic. They capture students' attention, get everyone involved, and create meaningful musical learning without students even realising how much they're practising. Some games come and go, but there are a handful that I return to year after year because they work every single time.

In this episode, I'll share a few of my all-time favourite rhythm games, explain how they're played, and, more importantly, why they're so effective. We'll talk about how these games build steady beat, develop rhythmic accuracy, encourage active listening, and foster ensemble skills—all while students are having fun.

Whether you're looking for a quick warm-up, a transition activity, an engaging way to reinforce a new concept, or even an informal assessment, I hope you'll discover a game you can try in your own classroom this week.

So, let's jump in and explore some rhythm games that your students will ask to play again and again.

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

Support the show

Welcome to a very special milestone episode of the Crescendo Music Education Podcast.

Today, we're celebrating 200 episodes of conversations with passionate music educators from around the world. Over the past several years, this podcast has become a place to share ideas, celebrate successes, explore challenges, and highlight the incredible work happening in music classrooms every day.

For this special episode, we're doing something a little different.

The microphone is being handed over once again to Deb Brydon, who also interviewed our host, Debbie O'Shea, for Episode 100. It feels like the perfect way to mark another significant milestone as Debbie reflects on the journey from 100 episodes to 200.

The timing makes this celebration even more meaningful. Episode 200 is being released on Debbie's 65th birthday and during her final year in the classroom before embarking on an exciting new chapter as a full-time edupreneur. It's a fitting moment to look back on a remarkable career in music education while also looking ahead to what comes next.

Throughout this conversation, Deb and Debbie reflect on the lessons learned from 200 inspiring interviews, the generosity and creativity of the music education community, memorable moments from Debbie's teaching career, and her hopes for the future of music education.

You'll also hear "small but mighty" ideas shared by members of the Crescendo community—simple practices that make a meaningful difference in music classrooms around the world. These voices are a reminder that while no two classrooms are the same, we're united by a shared passion for helping young people discover the joy and power of music.

Whether you've been listening since Episode 1 or have only recently discovered the podcast, thank you for being part of this incredible community. Your support, encouragement, and willingness to share your stories have made these 200 conversations possible.

So, join us as we celebrate this milestone, reflect on an extraordinary journey, and look ahead to the next chapter.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Together Sing

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

Support the show