Musicast – Details, episodes & analysis

Ever wonder how to balance the interests of your students with the curriculum you teach? Do you feel ever feel stuck in the confines of your curriculum?

On this week's episode of Musicast, we sat down with Natasha Henry-Rodriguez to talk about her unique experience as an educator and her new book, "Navigating Music Appreciation through Interpretation."

We hope you all enjoy Natasha's insight into cultivating and leveraging how music weaves its way through our culture to create meaningful experiences for our students!

You can learn more about Natasha's work on her Instagram:

On this week's episode of Musicast, we're looking at starting off the school year on the right foot. Even after 18 starts, there is always something new and exciting about the beginning of the year. Getting off to a 'Good' Start can help define the year to come, and the challenge for some teachers is to make sure you are keeping it fresh for yourself, your students, and your colleagues around you!

In this episode of Musicast, Sarah sits down with musician and educator, Jes Cleland. Jes is a bassist by trade and has spent years supporting young learners through her business, Music U, in Nashville. In this episode, she describes her journey to being an early childhood educator, how she approaches using literature with young children, and how her book “Get Out Beetle” was inspired by the kids she taught! 

You can learn more about Music U here:

https://www.musicunashville.com/

Shop "Get out Beetle" merch here:

https://www.musicunashville.com/merch?category=Get+Out+Beetle

Follow Music U on Instagram @musicuclass

In this episode, Sarah sits down with Jeanette Shorey, veteran music teacher and promoter of joy in the classroom! Jeanette shares her story in music education and how she centers joy and stories in teaching young children. Listen to learn how community support and inspiration can help you keep the joy in teaching.

You can learn more about Jeanette at the links below:

https://storiesthatsing.net/

https://storiesthatsing.net/shop/

https://storiesthatsing.net/jointhehappymusicteacheracademy/

How do we cultivate a sense of understanding and empathy among students? Can the music classroom be a space where we have hard discussions and unpack big emotions?

In this episode, Daniel Rivera (author of "Empathy") describes his journey in music education and how his classroom has become a space to feel and share emotions: big or small.

Listen and learn about the ways that you can help students learn to empathize with each other in tangible ways.

Resources shared in this episode:

You can find Daniel's book here:

https://fflat-books.com/product/empathy/

Want to learn more about our writing cohort starting in March? Check it out:

https://learn.fflat-books.com/writing-rescue-kidlit-lab/#

And, if you haven't downloaded our Black History Month guide yet, you can still get it for free:

https://fflat-books.com/product/black-history-month-heritage-month-guide-2024/

In this episode, Sarah sits down with David Dockan: musician, educator, and Ph.D. student at the University of Kentucky. David shares about his history as a musician and why he centers social-emotional learning in his work as both a teacher of young children and a teacher of pre-service music educators. He also talks about the inspiration behind his new book, "Your Song," created with Angela Carter.

You can learn more about David and his work at the F-flat Books site and at the link below:

http://www.dockanmusic.com/home.html

And, learn about the courses David shared in the episode:

https://kentuckyorff.com/upcoming-workshops/

https://finearts.uky.edu/music/professional-development-and-summer-graduate-study

In this episode, Sarah continues to chat with Coty about the why behind the work. They talk about finding your purpose and pouring your energy into spaces that feel authentic while recognizing that what we share publicly is not often what we experience privately. 

How do we return to the passion and joy found in music and the things that light us up as musicians? Listen and be inspired by Coty’s story and learn why she wrote “When I Grow Up” and how she’s actively advocating for children. 

You can support Coty and learn about her book, “When I Grow Up,” here: 

https://fflat-books.com/product/when-i-grow-up/

Check out Coty’s website: 

https://www.cotyravenmorris.com/

You can get the free Black History Month Heritage Guide here: 

https://fflat-books.com/product/black-history-month-heritage-month-guide-2024/

In this episode, Sarah sits down with Grammy-nominated educator Coty Raven Morris in a powerful two-part series on the why behind our work as musicians and educators. In this first half, Coty breaks down why we need to examine barriers in music education and how we, as educators, can effort to meet the needs of more students.

You can learn more about Coty at her website:

https://www.cotyravenmorris.com/

And, check out Coty's book on the F-flat Books website:

https://fflat-books.com/product/when-i-grow-up/

Grab the FREE Black History Month Heritage Guide here:

https://fflat-books.com/product/black-history-month-heritage-month-guide-2024/

What does research mean to you in your day to day practice? How does higher education fit into your professional and personal goals?

In this episode, Sarah sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Schultz (F-flat author and host of the "Research to Practice" column) and Marissa Guarriello (F-flat author, PhD students, and founder of Musicast) to talk about all things higher education. In this inspiring episode, they tackle:

• How curiosity can drive research and why it matters to music education
• Imposter phenomenon and debunking stereotypes in academia
• Advice for anyone considering graduate school

You can learn more about Liz and Marissa's work below.

Read Liz's column on the F-flat website:

https://fflat-books.com/tag/research-to-practice/

Check out Liz's book on navigating research:

https://fflat-books.com/product/the-digital-companion-to-navigating-music-education-research/

Learn about Marissa's contributions on the F-flat site:

https://fflat-books.com/authors/marissa-guarriello/

Do you have an idea for a guest or topic you want us to cover? Send an email to [email protected].

Many of us are approaching holiday breaks with MUCH NEEDED days off of teaching. But, how can we ensure that our time is spent in ways that are truly restorative and help us approach 2024 with a sense of grounding? In this episode, Sarah shares four things you can give yourself over winter break to find restoration.

You can read the corresponding blog post to this episode here:

https://fflat-books.com/last-minute-gift-guide-for-the-overwhelmed-music-teacher/

Also, this is the LAST Musicast episode for 2023! Thank you so much for listening and being part of this community.

Is there a topic you'd like us to cover in 2024? Or, a person we should interview? Please send ideas and nominations (including yourself!) to [email protected].