Welcome back to Crescendo Chat. This is Part 2 of my conversation with Katie Argyle.

In Part 1, we explored the big picture of artificial intelligence in music education. Katie shared why music teachers don't need to fear AI and explained how these tools can support teaching while preserving the human connection at the heart of music-making.

In this episode, we get practical.

Katie takes us inside some of the AI tools and music technology platforms that are already helping teachers save time, create resources, and streamline everyday tasks. We explore tools for rhythm practice, sight-reading, audio editing, notation, and songwriting, as well as some of the limitations teachers need to keep in mind.

We also tackle some of the bigger questions surrounding AI. What happens when students use AI to complete assignments? How can teachers redesign assessments to focus on process rather than just product? And what role might AI-generated music play in the future of music education?

Most importantly, Katie offers a balanced perspective. She acknowledges both the opportunities and the challenges while keeping the focus on what matters most: helping students learn, create, and engage with music in meaningful ways.

If you've been wondering where AI fits into your teaching practice—or how to navigate the changes ahead with confidence—this conversation is packed with practical ideas and thoughtful insights.

So, let's jump back in with Katie Argyle.

Links Mentioned in the Episode: 

• AI Tools

Connect with Katie:

• Website: midnightmusic.com
• Music Tech Podcast
• Social media: @katiemidnightmusic
• Midnight Music Community membership

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

Today on Crescendo Chat, I’m joined by Katie Argyle for the first episode in a special series on artificial intelligence and music education.

If the words AI and education make you feel excited, curious, overwhelmed, or even a little nervous, you’re not alone. AI is everywhere right now, and many music teachers are wondering what it means for their classrooms, their workload, and even the future of teaching itself.

Katie brings a refreshing and practical perspective to the conversation. She often describes herself as an "accidental music tech expert," but over the years she has become a trusted voice in helping music educators understand how technology can support teaching without replacing the things that matter most.

In this episode, we explore why music teachers don't need to fear AI. We talk about what AI can do, what it can't do, and why human connection, creativity, and social music-making remain at the heart of great music education.

Katie also shares how her own teaching philosophy shapes the way she approaches technology. Rather than seeing AI as a threat, she sees it as a tool that can reduce workload, save time, and free teachers to focus on the work that only humans can do.

Most importantly, this conversation isn't about the future. It's about the present. Many of us are already using AI-powered tools every day without even realising it.

Whether you're AI-curious, AI-cautious, or already experimenting with new technology in your classroom, this episode will give you practical insights, a fresh perspective, and plenty of food for thought.

So, let's dive in with Katie Argyle.

Links Mentioned in the Episode: 

• AI Tools

Connect with Katie:

• Website: midnightmusic.com
• Music Tech Podcast
• Social media: @katiemidnightmusic
• Midnight Music Community membership

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 Crescendo Chat. This is Part 2 of my conversation with Chris Munce from Choralosophy.

In Part 1, Chris shared his journey through choral education and unpacked the deeper philosophy behind why music — and especially singing together — matters so much in the lives of young people.

In this episode, we move into the practical side of teaching while still keeping that big-picture lens front and centre.

Chris shares insights on assessment, rehearsal priorities, student engagement, and how teachers can maintain joy and meaning in the classroom, even when time and resources feel limited. We also explore inclusion, human diversity, and how music educators can build classroom cultures where every child feels valued and connected.

One of the things I love most about this conversation is how honest and thoughtful it feels. Chris challenges us to think more deeply about what we teach, why we teach it, and what students truly carry with them long after they leave our classrooms.

If you’ve ever needed encouragement to step back, reconnect with your purpose, and remember why music education matters, this episode will really speak to you.

So, let’s jump back in with Chris.

Connect with Chris: 

• Website
• 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

Support the show

Today on Crescendo Chat, I’m joined by Chris Munce — choral conductor, educator, and host of Choralosophy, one of the world’s top music education podcasts and a leading voice in global choral education.

Chris has spent more than 20 years as a choral director at Lee's Summit High School. He also directs Kantorei KC, a professional choir based in Kansas City. Alongside that work, he’s built Choralosophy into a space where educators explore the philosophy, purpose, and humanity behind music education.

In this first part of our conversation, we dive into Chris’s story. We talk about the experiences that shaped him as a conductor, teacher, and communicator. We also explore why he started Choralosophy and what he’s learned from speaking with some of the world’s leading thinkers in choral music and education.

This episode goes beyond rehearsal strategies and warmups. It asks bigger questions. Why does choral music matter? What does singing together do for young people? And how do we hold onto purpose when teaching starts to feel overwhelming?

Chris has a way of connecting philosophy with practical teaching in a deeply thoughtful and accessible way. So whether you teach choir, classroom music, or simply care about helping students grow through music, there is so much here to reflect on.

Connect with Chris: 

• Website
• 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

Support the show

Welcome back to Crescendo Chat. This is Part 2 of my conversation with Kate Albury.

In Part 1, Kate shared her journey as a choral educator and unpacked the power of storytelling in helping students connect to music in authentic and lasting ways.

In this episode, we turn toward the bigger picture of music education within school culture.

Kate shares practical insights from her work at Brisbane Boys' College, where she bridges classroom learning with co-curricular music programs and broader creative opportunities across the school community.

We talk about advocacy, collaboration, and why music should never sit on the edges of school life. Kate also shares thoughtful ideas around engaging reluctant singers, combining art forms, and helping students feel a genuine sense of belonging through music-making.

There’s so much in this conversation for primary music teachers — especially if you’ve ever tried to build something meaningful with limited time, limited resources, and a big vision for what music can do in a child’s life.

Let’s jump back in with Kate.

Connect with Kate: 

• Email - 

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

Today on Crescendo Chat, I’m joined by Kate Albury — choral conductor, adjudicator, workshop presenter, and a passionate advocate for creating meaningful musical experiences for young people.

Kate is currently the Head of Co-Curricular — Culture and Enrichment Programs at Brisbane Boys' College, where she works across music, culture, and student life to build communities where students feel connected, creative, and seen.

Her work stretches far beyond one school setting. Kate has contributed to programs including the State Honours Ensemble Program and the National Gondwana Choral School, and in 2026 she’ll lead the Treble Strand at the Pemulwuy! National Male Voices Festival.

In this first part of our conversation, we explore Kate’s journey into choral education, the moments that shaped her as a conductor, and the people who helped influence her philosophy around music, belonging, and student connection.

We also dive into one of Kate’s great passions: storytelling in choral music. How do we help students connect emotionally to repertoire? How do we make singing feel alive, meaningful, and relevant for young people?

Whether you lead a choir, teach classroom music, or simply want students to engage more deeply in your lessons, there is so much wisdom packed into this conversation.

Connect with Kate: 

• Email - 

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 Crescendo Chat. This is Part 2 of my conversation with Sean Martin from The Quarantined.

In Part 1, Sean shared his journey—how his experiences as a musician and veteran shaped his voice, his purpose, and his connection to music as something far deeper than performance.

In this episode, we go further.

We dive into what music can offer young people who are struggling. We talk about creative courage—what it looks like to build something from nothing, even when the path feels uncertain. And we explore how honesty, authenticity, and storytelling can transform a music classroom into a space where students feel seen.

Sean also shares what he wishes more adults would say to young people about hard things—and what music teachers can do, even in small ways, to make a lasting impact.

There’s a lot in this conversation. It’s real, it’s thoughtful, and it speaks directly to the heart of why music matters.

Let’s jump back in.

Connect with Sean: 

• Website - https://www.thequarantined.com/
• Facebook
• TikTok

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

Today on Crescendo Chat, I’m joined by Sean Martin — singer, guitarist, and producer behind The Quarantined.

Sean brings a perspective we don’t often hear on this podcast. He’s not a music educator. Instead, he’s a working musician, an Iraq War veteran, and a passionate advocate for mental health and creative authenticity.

Through his work with The Quarantined, Sean creates music that doesn’t hold back. His songs dive into real-life experiences—trauma, resilience, identity, and what it means to navigate the world today. That honesty has connected with a global audience, with hundreds of thousands of streams and millions of views across platforms.

But what makes this conversation especially powerful for us as educators is this: Sean understands, deeply, how music can carry people through the things they don’t yet have words for.

In this first part of our conversation, we explore Sean’s story—his journey through music, military service, and the moments that shaped who he is today. We also begin unpacking how music becomes a tool for processing life, not just performing it.

As you listen, think about your own students. The ones who walk into your classroom carrying more than they can say. This conversation might just shift how you see the role of music in their lives.

Connect with Sean: 

• Website - https://www.thequarantined.com/
• Facebook
• TikTok

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

In this final part of my conversation with Ken Thompson, we move into the heart of what music education is really about — students, impact, and advocacy.

Building on our earlier discussions around musicianship and teaching practice, this episode highlights real stories from the studio that show how meaningful musical growth happens over time. Through these examples, Ken reveals what truly motivates students and why a long-term approach matters.

From there, we shift into practical takeaways for teachers. You’ll hear Ken’s Nuggets of Fabulous, where he shares simple but powerful changes music educators can make right away, along with common teaching traps to avoid.

Finally, the conversation turns to advocacy in music education. Ken offers honest, encouraging advice for teachers navigating today’s challenges and shares one clear action you can take this week to support your program and your students.

To wrap up, his soapbox moment delivers a powerful message every music educator needs to hear.

Let’s jump into the final part of this conversation.

Connect with Ken: 

Website - MACSAinc.com

Email - [email protected] 

Instagram - @Ken.CreativeCoach

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 part two of my conversation with Ken Thompson, advanced piano coach and founder of the Musical Arts Center of San Antonio.

After exploring his journey and teaching philosophy in part one, this episode shifts into practical application. Specifically, we unpack what it means to teach for deep musicianship, not just surface-level success.

Throughout this conversation, Ken shares how teachers can help students move beyond simply following instructions and instead develop independence, creativity, and musical understanding. In addition, we explore how to balance technical skill, expression, and motivation in both private lessons and broader music settings.

Importantly, we connect these ideas directly to the music classroom and ensemble teaching. Ken offers clear insights into how classroom teachers can foster the same depth of thinking, even with limited time and larger groups.

For anyone teaching general music, choir, band, or piano, this episode offers practical strategies and mindset shifts that can transform how students engage with music.

Let’s jump back into the conversation.

Connect with Ken: 

Website - MACSAinc.com

Email - [email protected] 

Instagram - @Ken.CreativeCoach

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