Alan and Steve respond to a listener question about ensemble pride and dig into the fine line between healthy confidence and toxic hubris in competitive groups—whether it’s show choir, marching band, jazz band, or orchestra. They connect ideas like humility, empathy, narcissism, the Dunning–Kruger effect, and imposter syndrome to the way we talk about our … Read more

Alan and Steve dig into why writing program notes matters more than you think—not just for the audience, but for you and your students. They share practical tips on researching and personalizing notes, avoiding jargon, highlighting student performers, deciding when to speak from the stage, and even using ChatGPT to draft print and spoken versions … Read more

Alan and Steve draw on Alan’s 19 years in the classroom and 15 years in the corporate world to reframe how music educators advocate for their programs. Instead of leaning on “we work nights and weekends,” they suggest focusing on what’s truly unique about teaching—rigid schedules, limited autonomy, and underfunded programs—and how to talk to … Read more

Steve and Alan have an enlightening conversation with Dr. Rhoda Bernard, Founding Managing Director of the Institute for Accessible Arts Education. Rhoda shares groundbreaking insights into creating inclusive music classrooms. She discusses the challenges educators face in reaching students with diverse learning needs, offering practical strategies to remove barriers and unleash creativity. From understanding processing differences to implementing peer-assisted … Read more

Steve asks Alan about a rehearsal strategy that works especially well for students with anxiety, ADHD, or autism—and Alan explains why a clear and consistent rehearsal structure actually helps all students thrive. This tip sets the stage for our upcoming full episode with Dr. Rhoda Bernard, who will explain how universal design in music education lifts the … Read more