The Crescendo Music Education Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome back to the show! Today, Aileen sits down with Debbie O’Shea for a powerful and inspiring conversation about her brand-new book, The Stalagmite Effect. Debbie shares the story behind the metaphor, the experiences that shaped the book, and how slow, steady growth can transform both teachers and students.

If you already know Debbie from her “Manipulatives in the Music Room” podcast, you’re going to love this deeper look into her thinking and the reflections that led her to write The Stalagmite Effect.

We also mention a few helpful links in this episode:

• “Manipulatives in the Music Room” podcast with Debbie O'Shea
• Register for “Together Sing”
• “The Stalagmite Effect” book
  • Buy on Balboa Press
  • Buy on Amazon

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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In this episode, we’re diving into Part 2 of my conversation with the wonderful Daria — world music performer, educator, and cultural bridge-builder who has been sharing songs and traditions from around the globe for over four decades.

If you tuned into Part 1, you’ll remember we explored how music is learned in traditional cultures — how it’s woven into everyday life, passed down through families, stories, and community rituals. Today, we’re taking that conversation even further.

We’ll talk about what modern educators can learn from these natural, immersive approaches to music learning — how to bring more authenticity, inclusion, and connection into our classrooms. Daria also shares her thoughts on advocacy, representation, and how we can empower students to see themselves in the music they make.

It’s a rich, inspiring conversation that reminds us why music education matters — not just in the classroom, but in the heart of every community.

So let’s jump right in. Here’s Part 2 of my chat with Daria.

Links Mentioned in the Episode:

🎙️ Episode 138 and 139

🎶 Bate Bate Chocolate

💻 Sign up HERE for Daria's Newsletter

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 podcast! Today, we are thrilled to be joined by a very special guest, Dr. Rhoda Bernard.

Dr. Bernard is the Founding Managing Director of the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education and the Assistant Chair of the Music Education Department at Berklee College of Music. Her academic journey is extraordinary — she earned a Bachelor of Arts in government from Harvard University, a Bachelor of Music in jazz voice from New England Conservatory, and both her Master of Education and Doctor of Education degrees from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

As a thought leader and advocate, Dr. Bernard regularly presents at conferences across the U.S. and internationally, and she provides professional development for educators around the globe. Her upcoming book, Accessible Arts Education: Principles, Habits, and Strategies to Unleash Every Student's Creativity and Learning, will be published in September 2025 and promises to be a transformative resource for teachers.

Dr. Bernard’s contributions have been widely recognized — she has received multiple awards, including the Irene Buck Service to Arts Education Award from Arts|Learning, the Berklee Urban Service Award, and others celebrating her impact on community service and arts education.

Beyond her leadership and advocacy work, Dr. Bernard is also an accomplished musician — a vocalist and pianist specializing in jazz and Jewish music — who performs regularly with klezmer bands and has recorded two CDs with the band Klezamir.

We are so honored to have her here today to share her expertise, her story, and her vision for accessible arts education.

Stay in Contact with Rhoda:

• Linked In
• Facebook

Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Youtube

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Temple Grandin

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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Ladies and gentlemen of the musical realm, let me introduce you to a true musical dynamo – the one and only Grant J Ward!

From the tender age of 5, when most kids are still learning to tie their shoelaces, Grant’s heart was already resonating with the magic of music. A young boy, determined as ever, relentlessly pestering his non-musical parents for piano lessons. And after three years of his melodic persistence, at the age of 8, the piano became his gateway to a world of enchantment.

As he journeyed through primary and secondary school, the symphonic threads of his destiny wove a captivating tale. By the time he was 12, Grant’s creative spirit couldn’t be contained, and he began crafting his own harmonious stories through songwriting. At 14, he was already harmonizing with school choirs, his nimble fingers dancing across the piano keys in rehearsals and dazzling performances.

At the remarkable age of 15, he embarked on a new rhythm, sharing his musical wisdom with the world by teaching private piano lessons. And oh, the tunes he must have shared!

He’s lent his melodic genius to numerous esteemed institutions and projects, including collaborations with the likes of Antix Theatre Company, The Victorian College of the Arts, and the Australian Girls’ Choir. As a singer, songwriter, and composer, his portfolio reads like a lyrical adventure novel, with five stage musicals under his belt, including the enchanting ‘Café Butterfly’.

The infamous Spin Round collections have not only captured hearts but also taught us that music can indeed make the world go ’round.

And now, dear music teachers, it’s our great pleasure to introduce you to Grant J Ward, the orchestrator of inspiration!

Grant Ward’s Website: Seize the Tune

Together Sing with Debbie

Crescendo Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crescendocommunityOfficial Crescendo Page: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoMusicEd/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrescendoMusicEdTwitter: https://twitter.com/crescendomusicLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-o-shea-62a3741b/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CrescendoDebbie/

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Let the applause ripple through the air like a finely tuned melody, for we have the distinct honor of welcoming back a true luminary in the world of music education – Dr. Jason Goopy!

His influence stretches across editorial boards, as he actively shapes the conversations within the International Journal of Music Education and the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing. And let us not forget his dynamic leadership roles, from being the national President of the Australian Society for Music Education to his position as Immediate Past President of Kodály Australia, his impact is felt far and wide.

So, let the rhythm of anticipation build, and the harmony of enthusiasm fill the room, as we welcome back Dr. Jason Goopy.

Dr Jason Goopy is a recognised teacher, scholar, and leader in music education. He is currently Lecturer and Coordinator of Secondary and Instrumental Music Education at Edith Cowan University and draws upon 15 years of leading arts programs and teaching music in Australian combined primary and secondary schools. Jason’s research investigates the interface between music, education, and psychology. He received the Australian Society for Music Education Callaway Doctoral Award and his subsequent monograph, Teenage boys, musical identities and music education: An Australian narrative inquiry, will be submitted to Routledge later this year for publication. Jason is the recipient of an ECU Early Mid-Career Research Grant and is currently examining the potential of trauma-informed community music education to support the wellbeing of young people using a highly qualitative arts-based research methodology. He serves on the editorial boards of the International Journal of Music Education and the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing. Jason is the current national President of the Australian Society for Music Education, Immediate Past President of Kodály Australia, and an Advisory Group Member for the Alberts Tony Foundation national project, Music Education: Right from the Start. 

Together Sing

Fading Notes Report

Tony Foundation

Bigger Better Brains

Crescendo Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crescendocommunityOfficial Crescendo Page: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoMusicEd/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrescendoMusicEdTwitter: https://twitter.com/crescendomusicLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-o-shea-62a3741b/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CrescendoDebbie/

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Dr. Jason Goopy, our esteemed guest speaker, is not just your run-of-the-mill educator; he’s a musical dynamo with a passion for teaching, a knack for scholarly pursuits, and a charisma that can turn any lecture into a symphony of knowledge.

So, get ready to tap your feet, nod your head, and soak in the rhythm of wisdom as we welcome Dr. Jason Goopy to the stage. His passion for music education, his scholarly achievements, and his commitment to nurturing young minds through the magic of music will undoubtedly strike a harmonious chord within each of us. Let’s give a thunderous applause and a warm welcome to our music education virtuoso!

Dr Jason Goopy is a recognised teacher, scholar, and leader in music education. He is currently Lecturer and Coordinator of Secondary and Instrumental Music Education at Edith Cowan University and draws upon 15 years of leading arts programs and teaching music in Australian combined primary and secondary schools. Jason’s research investigates the interface between music, education, and psychology. He received the Australian Society for Music Education Callaway Doctoral Award and his subsequent monograph, Teenage boys, musical identities and music education: An Australian narrative inquiry, will be submitted to Routledge later this year for publication. Jason is the recipient of an ECU Early Mid-Career Research Grant and is currently examining the potential of trauma-informed community music education to support the wellbeing of young people using a highly qualitative arts-based research methodology. He serves on the editorial boards of the International Journal of Music Education and the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing. Jason is the current national President of the Australian Society for Music Education, Immediate Past President of Kodály Australia, and an Advisory Group Member for the Alberts Tony Foundation national project, Music Education: Right from the Start. 

Together Sing

Fading Notes Report

Tony Foundation

Bigger Better Brains

Crescendo Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crescendocommunityOfficial Crescendo Page: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoMusicEd/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrescendoMusicEdTwitter: https://twitter.com/crescendomusicLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-o-shea-62a3741b/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CrescendoDebbie/

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Ruth Friend is undoubtedly the guiding star that music educators need in their journey to excellence. With her by their side, they’ll not only maximize their teaching effectiveness but also inspire generations of budding musicians to reach for the stars!

Welcome back, Rush Friend! Catch Part 1 HERE.

‘Put the Beat in ya Feet’ has been added to our Music Making series!

Ruth’s Website: https://www.takenotemusic.com.au/

Music Writing books: https://www.takenotemusic.com.au/music-writing-resources.html

Teaching Tips and Tea

• Growth Mindset: Episode 10
• Melodic Cues: Episode 11
• Movement Ideas: Episode 12
• Developing Beautifulness: Episode 7
• Performance of Beat and Rhythm Simultaneously: Episode 8

Music eBooks (YouTube Video)

Crescendo Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crescendocommunityOfficial Crescendo Page: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoMusicEd/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrescendoMusicEdTwitter: https://twitter.com/crescendomusicLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-o-shea-62a3741b/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CrescendoDebbie/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/crescendodebbie/

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Meet the extraordinary Ruth Friend, a true music maestro with a heart full of passion for both teaching and composing!

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Let’s welcome back Dr. Ryan Williams, a medical doctor with a unique twist—he’s also a passionate musician! Graduating from the University of Queensland School of Medicine, Ryan’s love for music started early, playing the viola and piano since the age of 8. He later expanded his skills to flute, bassoon, and percussion during high school.

As a member of the Queensland Youth Symphony, Ryan toured internationally and performed at the World Expo 2000 in Hannover. His musical journey continued while working as a German and science teacher at Ferny Grove State High School, where he conducted ensembles and collaborated with renowned pianist Brachi Tilles.

Ryan’s deep appreciation for European culture led him to study languages in Germany and Russia. Today, he balances his role as a GP and Medical Educator with his position as the conductor and artistic director of the Queensland Medical Orchestra since 2010.

Dr. Ryan Williams is a true embodiment of the harmonious blend of medicine and music—a talented doctor and a conductor who spreads joy through his healing melodies.

Episode 23 & 24: Embracing Average with Astrid Jorgenson

Together Sing

“We’re all musicians … there’s no sense of hierarchies here.” – Featured on ABC News

Queensland Medical Orchestra & Choir

Danny Boy, “Irish Tune from County Derry” by Percy Grainger

Crescendo Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crescendocommunityOfficial Crescendo Page: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoMusicEd/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrescendoMusicEdTwitter: https://twitter.com/crescendomusicLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-o-shea-62a3741b/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CrescendoDebbie/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/crescendodebbie/

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Allow me to introduce you to a remarkable individual who effortlessly combines the worlds of medicine and music, Dr. Ryan Williams! Hailing from the prestigious University of Queensland School of Medicine, Ryan is not your ordinary doctor. While he excels in the field of general practice and medical education, he also holds a deep-rooted passion for music.

Ryan’s journey into the world of melodies began at the tender age of 8 when he first picked up the viola and piano. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, he later expanded his repertoire to include the flute, bassoon, and percussion during his high school years. With his diverse musical talents, Ryan became an integral part of the Queensland Youth Symphony, where he spent two years playing the viola under the guidance of the internationally renowned conductor, John Curro OAM. Together, they embarked on exhilarating tours to South Korea, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and Germany, even culminating in a stunning performance at the World Expo 2000 in Hannover. Talk about a symphony of accomplishments!

In addition to his medical pursuits, he pursued undergraduate degrees in Arts and Education at the University of Queensland. Upon graduation, he found himself not only a doctor but also a German and science teacher at Ferny Grove State High School. Little did he know that this role would thrust him into the limelight of the instrumental music department at Ferny Grove, where his talents as a conductor shone bright. Leading several ensembles and collaborating with acclaimed pianist Brachi Tilles, he conducted the unforgettable performance of Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals. Who knew medicine and music could harmonize so beautifully?

Ryan’s love for classical music goes hand in hand with his deep appreciation for European culture. As a true aficionado, he embarked on an exchange program in Frankfurt at the age of 17, immersing himself in the rich tapestry of the continent’s finest musical, artistic, and historical venues. His thirst for knowledge and passion for European languages earned him scholarships to study in Germany and Russia, allowing him to fully immerse himself in the culture that has shaped the great composers he admires.

Dr. Ryan Williams is not just a medical doctor or a talented musician—he’s a vibrant blend of both, seamlessly balancing his professional responsibilities as a GP and Medical Educator with his role as the conductor and artistic director of the Queensland Medical Orchestra since 2010. His dedication to both medicine and music is awe-inspiring, and his infectious enthusiasm brings joy to those around him.

Let’s give a resounding applause to the extraordinary Dr. Ryan Williams—a musical maestro who heals hearts both through his medical expertise and the captivating melodies he orchestrates.

“We’re all musicians … there’s no sense of hierarchies here.” – Featured on ABC News

Queensland Medical Orchestra & Choir

Crescendo Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crescendocommunityOfficial Crescendo Page: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoMusicEd/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CrescendoMusicEdTwitter: https://twitter.com/crescendomusicLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-o-shea-62a3741b/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CrescendoDebbie/Pinterest: https://

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