The Crescendo Music Education Podcast
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© 2025 The Crescendo Music Education Podcast
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Supporting, connecting and inspiring music educators.
162 Episodes
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Welcome back to the podcast! Today we continue our inspiring conversation with Dr. Rhoda Bernard, the Founding Managing Director of the Berklee Institute for Accessible Arts Education and Assistant Chair of the Music Education Department at Berklee College of Music. In Part 1, Dr. Bernard shared her incredible journey in music education, her vision for accessible arts education, and a behind-the-scenes look at her upcoming book. If you haven’t listened to that episode yet, we highly recommend...
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 Edu...
Welcome back to Thriving in Challenging Schools. In our last episode, we looked at practical strategies to help you survive the day-to-day chaos. Today, we’re shifting the focus to something even more powerful: building relationships in crisis. Because here’s the thing—sometimes your toughest students are also the ones most desperate for connection. I’ll never forget the Year 6 boy who asked me to marry him, or the one who swore he’d stolen and eaten the teacher’s pythons. These moments might...
Welcome back to Thriving in Challenging Schools. This is Episode 2 of our series, and today we’re diving into something every teacher in a tough environment needs: practical survival strategies. Let me ask you this—what if I told you a coffee machine could actually save your sanity? Or that the secret to surviving a challenging school might already be sitting in the boot of your car? Sounds a bit crazy, right? But these are the kinds of real-world, low-cost, zero-permission-needed strategies ...
Are you finding that behaviour management is becoming more and more difficult? Every year, schools seem to include a greater number of children with special needs, often with little or no additional support. If you want to hear what I’m doing, the changes I’m making, and the mindset shifts that are helping me stay afloat after 40 years in education — then you’re in exactly the right place. This episode is about how we can reset, reframe, and rebuild our confidence — not by chasing perfection,...
Welcome back to The Crescendo Music Education Podcast! If you tuned in to Part 1 of our conversation with Joel Copeland, you already know what a powerful and grounded voice he brings to the world of music education and leadership. And if you haven’t listened to that episode yet—press pause and go back! It’s packed with stories and insights that lay the foundation for what we’re diving into today. In this second part, we go even deeper into Joel’s journey—especially his experience becoming a n...
Hey friends, and welcome back to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast —the podcast where we explore the heart and craft of music education, one inspiring conversation at a time. Today’s episode is a special one. I had the privilege of hearing our guest speak at the HALT Summit in Canberra, and his keynote left a lasting impression. There was something about the way he spoke—grounded, clear, and deeply human—that stayed with me. He reminded us that impact doesn’t end at the classroom walls… i...
Today’s episode is extra special—and honestly, a little bit emotional—because I’m sitting down with my dear friend and colleague, Deb, to celebrate the live launch of my brand-new book, The Stalagmite Effect. Now, if you know Debbie like I do, you know she’s one of the busiest, most passionate educators out there. So naturally, my first question to her was… Why on earth write a book? Aren’t you quite busy enough already? But here’s the thing—this isn’t just any book. It’s personal. It’s heart...
Welcome back to part two of our conversation with the wonderful Erin Elliott! If you tuned in to part one, you already know Erin is a creative force in the elementary music classroom—bringing joy, structure, and sparkle to every lesson she teaches. In this second half of our chat, we dive even deeper into the real-life rhythms of music teaching. Erin shares more of her favorite classroom strategies, her passion for recorders (yes, recorder geeks unite!), and how she stays grounded and efficie...
Today’s guest is someone who brings joy, creativity, and solid musicianship into every corner of her classroom—and beyond. Erin Elliott has been sharing the joy of music since 2008 and is currently a K-5 elementary music teacher in northern Indiana. But her reach goes far beyond those school walls—she’s also the teacher-author behind From Do-Re-Mi To You, where she shares practical ideas and inspiration with music educators around the world. Erin has taught everyone from curious kindergartner...
Welcome back to Part 2 of our conversation with the inspiring Leanna O’Brien! If you caught Part 1, you already know that Leanna is passionate about bringing music to life through movement—and helping educators feel confident doing it. In this second half of our chat, we go even deeper. Leanna shares practical examples of how she brings movement into the classroom, explains how it reinforces key music concepts, and gives us some of her favorite “nuggets of fabulous” for music teachers everywh...
Hey everyone, and welcome back to the show! Today, we’re diving into a topic that will get your students moving—literally! We’re joined by the incredible Leanna O’Brien, a curriculum designer, movement specialist, and professional development expert who has made it her mission to bring music to life in classrooms around the world. Leanna’s lessons are used in over 500 schools, and she’s known for integrating meaningful movement—think scarf dancing, movement breaks, and activities that teach t...
Hey there, and welcome back to the show! I’m so glad you’re here—especially today—because this episode is something a little different and very close to my heart. I’ll walk you through the five key parts of the book: The power of small steps in personal growthHelping others growRedefining productivity and successEmbracing diverse, colourful pathsAnd designing your own journeyAnd yes—each chapter ends with reflection questions, because I want this to be about your journey, not just mine. If yo...
Welcome back to Part Two of our inspiring chat with the wonderful Kate Schirmer—musician, singing teacher, conductor, and vocal pedagogy powerhouse. If you caught Part One, you already know Kate brings so much wisdom, warmth, and depth to the world of singing and music education. Today, we’re shifting gears just a little to talk about the music that moves her. In this episode, Kate shares some of her all-time favorite choral pieces and composers—the ones that speak to her soul, challenge her ...
Hey everyone, and welcome back to the show! We have an absolute treat for you today—a conversation with someone whose passion for singing, teaching, and musical artistry runs deep. Today’s guest is Kate Schirmer—musician, vocal pedagogue, conductor, and passionate music educator. Kate holds a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours from the University of Queensland, and a Master of Music Studies in vocal pedagogy from the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. She brings an incred...
Hey everyone, welcome back to the podcast! I’m so glad you’re here today because this episode is a little different—and a little special. It’s rooted in a phrase my father lived by, one that I’ve carried with me through so many moments in life and work. The phrase? “Moderation in all things, and in all things, moderation.” It’s simple. It’s classic. And yet, it carries a kind of quiet wisdom that’s more relevant now than ever. We live in a world of extremes. Hustle culture tells us to go hard...
Today, we’re diving into one of my favourite mindset shifts—something simple, but incredibly powerful: “Bloom where you are planted.” This idea has carried me through so many moments in my career and life. Whether you’re feeling stuck in a job that’s not your dream role, living in a place you never thought you’d settle, or navigating a tough season—this episode is for you. We’re talking about how to thrive right where you are, even when the situation isn’t ideal. Because here's the truth: wai...
Today, I want to dive into a mindset that has made a massive difference in my teaching—and honestly, in the way I live my life: “You get what you expect.” It’s a phrase that has shaped how I approach my students, how I run my music room, and even how I challenge myself to grow as an educator. So in this episode, we’re going to unpack that idea, look at where it comes from, and explore how it plays out in real classrooms—and maybe even your own mindset. Why does this matter? Because expectatio...
Hey everyone, welcome back to the show. I’m so glad you’re here. Today, I’m diving into a phrase that’s stuck with me through all kinds of moments—both the calm and the chaotic: “Keep your powder dry.” Now, I know—it sounds a bit old-school. And it is. But it holds some serious wisdom, especially if you’re someone juggling big decisions, leadership roles, creative projects, or just trying to navigate everyday life without burning out. So what does it actually mean? Why has it become a persona...
Welcome back to Part 2 of our conversation with Elisa Janson Jones — a true force in music education and an unwavering advocate for teacher empowerment. Elisa is the founder of the Music Teacher Guild, a vibrant community that provides mentorship, resources, and professional development tailored specifically for music educators. In addition to being a Certified AI Consultant, Elisa brings a forward-thinking approach to teaching, skillfully combining technology and creativity to help educators...
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