The Anacrusic Podcast: Purposeful, Sequential, & Joyful Music Education

Today on The Anacrusic Podcast, I’m chatting with Katie Miller about her experience at a campus with 1-to-1 technology--yes, even in the music classroom! Since this topic is outside of my expertise, I am so thrilled to have Katie not only share her experiences as a 1-to-1 music teacher, but also how we can meaningfully incorporate technology into our music classrooms if we aren’t at a 1-to-1 school. 

Today on TAP, I have the great privilege to talk to Justin Hockey all about his experience teaching music outside of the United States. Justin has a slightly different point of view than the episode earlier this season about teaching internationally, because he is a native Australian. It was so incredibly interesting to talk to someone who has literally lived and breathed music outside of The United States, the way the schools function, and how all of that has impacted his role as a music teacher.

Today on the podcast, I have a LONG overdue interview with my friend Jessica Peresta. Jessica is really and truly a breath of fresh air. I love our honest and raw conversations and I am so glad to share one of them with you today on the podcast! Jessica shares her story and actionable tips about how to make life work as a music teacher. I know you’ll enjoy listening in on our conversation as much as we had chatting with one another!

Today on the podcast I am so pumped for the community to hear from Ally Schneier all about Social and Emotional Learning in the Music Classroom. At the time we recorded this interview, Ally had just finished up her coursework for her Masters degree, where her research was on this very topic! She shares lots of applicable tips and resources for us music teachers to make sure we are appealing to the needs of all our students and all the ways that they should be learning in our classroom.

Today on The Anacrusic Podcast, I’m sharing a little life update with all of you!! Yes, I just had my second baby girl, and it has been wonderful, but it’s also been HARD. Today I’m sharing some of my thoughts about change and how it pertains to us as music teachers. What I’ve noticed, what has been helping, and how I think it can help you! (*disclaimer: this episode is super conversational and totally “Anne.” No heavy edits or polishing here!!)

Today on TAP, I’m chatting with Taylor Middleton all about her experience using technology in the music classroom. In our chat, Taylor shares all of her real life experiences implementing and supplementing her elementary curriculum with technological enhancements. And bonus--she has tips to help you do the same!!

Today on The Anacrusic Podcast, I’m talking with Abby Pagryzinski all about life as a middle school choir director. Now, hold the phone, music teacher friends! Even if you don’t teach middle school (and Lord know, I don’t!) our conversation was full of tips and tricks that I KNOW you will find valuable and meaningful for your classroom. Abby and I chat about all the things, including selecting repertoire, programming concerts, structuring rehearsals, and how to click with those older kiddos.

Today on the podcast I’m talking with Nancy Killoran all about her first year of teacher and the impact it had on her vocal health. Nancy shares her difficult experience and offers tips to music teachers about how to nourish (and legit SAVE!) your instrument that you use each and every day for every part of your teaching.

Today on the podcast, I’m talking with my friend and fellow member of the TpT Music Crew, Lindsey Schroder, all about building classroom culture. I absolutely loved getting a chance to talk with Lindsey, particularly about this topic, because her passion for people and community is absolutely bursting at the seams. I know you’ll love her energy and her approach to building a classroom culture. Spoiler alert: it starts with you!!

Today on the podcast, I’m chatting with Angela Staron about her experience as a music teacher teaching outside of the United States. Angela shares some great tips and thoughts for any music teachers who might be interested in living that adventurous lifestyle overseas, and share a few things that reminds us that no matter where we are, we all face the same joys and challenges as music teachers!

Today on TAP, I’m chatting with Anacrusic community member Bryson Tarbet about Special Learners in the Music Classroom. This is a topic that is pertinent to all of us as music teachers, since we so often see everyone in our building, and only for a limited amount of time. Bryson has some great tips for how to accommodate all of our students to make sure they have a fulfilling and meaningful musical experience--something that you can tell he is incredibly passionate about!

Today on The Anacrusic Podcast, I’m chatting with my friend Kami all about her experience as a Kodály-inspired teacher. This is obviously a topic very near and dear and close to my heart, and Kami and I talk all things training, teaching practice, and how other pedagogical approaches really work together with Kodály-inspired teaching to create a comprehensive toolkit for music teaching.

Today on the podcast I’m chatting with Cat Woo all about setting up your classroom for success. Even as we’re already a couple of weeks (or months!) into the school year, I know that this conversation with Cat will give you some amazing points to think about as you start getting into the groove of the new school year.

Today on The Anacrusic Podcast, we are kicking off Season 4 with a BANG!! This season is all about community, and I can’t wait for you to hear the inspiring stories from music teachers just like you who are all a part of The Anacrusic Community. Make sure that you join the TAP Insiders Group on Facebook to interact with all of your amazing colleagues throughout our next several weeks together. After all, these are the people in your neighborhood!

Today on The Anacrusic Podcast, I’m keeping things short and sweet (I mean, for real this time) as we wrap up Season 3 and look ahead to the new school year. I’m sharing some exciting announcements, a brand new FREE resource for your lesson planning, and my favorite TAP episodes to jumpstart your school year!