Dr. Adrianna A Marshall began her career in education in 2003 in New Orleans Parish Public Schools. She earned her master’s degree at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. In 2013, Marshall earned her Ph.D. in Music Education at the University of Florida-Gainesville.

Currently, Dr. Adrianna Marshall works for the Kansas City Public School District as the District Coordinator of Fine and Performing Arts K-12. She is passionate about providing students with an equitable and quality fine arts education. Dr. Marshall is excited to share innovative educational technology, research and new teaching strategies for K-12 teachers. During her downtime, Dr. Marshall enjoys creating arts and crafts projects, bike riding and relaxing at home with her husband, two young daughters and her poodle.

Rachel Yates is the Director of Music at a secondary grammar school in Manchester, UK. She is a music educator and musician with a background in piano, woodwind and vocals. She studied Music at the University of Leeds, followed by the completion of her PGCE. She has a largely orchestral and choral background, performing alongside ensembles such as the BBC Philharmonic and Manchester Chamber Choir. She is passionate about music's integral place within the curriculum and the value that it brings.

Born in Kingston-Upon-Thames, Santiago grew up and went to school in Manchester. He was surrounded by a very musical family. From his classical-trained grandma to his multi-instrumentalist father, he always showed a fascination for the art. By 10, he was running a ukulele club in his primary school, a tradition that has been kept to this day. At 13 years old, he started learning the piano. Now at 17, he focuses on expanding his skills in musical theory, composition, and performance, striving to continue his career.

Joanna Mangona leads both the instructional design and music teams, and is the award-winning principal author of MusicFirst Elementary. Joanna has been Head of Learning (curriculum development and music) at Charanga for over 12 years and has a wealth of large-scale curriculum design experience in multiple countries.

Prior to Charanga, Joanna was head of Elementary Curriculum at Lancashire Music Service, one of the largest school districts in the UK with over 400 elementary schools. Her performing experience is as a woodwind player in a variety of contexts and genres. She is the composer of over 250+ songs for education, and is author of the Classroom Pops series (Chester Music).

Dr. Mary Birkner is currently Curriculum Advisor for music curriculum company, Charanga, where she has had the pleasure helping develop music curricula for general elementary music classes. Dr. Birkner also serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor in the School of Music at the University of Florida. While at UF, Dr. Birkner has taught undergraduate and graduate courses including Instructional Design in Music Education, American Vernacular Music, Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Music Education, Musics of the World, Woodwind Skills, Flute Studio, and has directed the University of Florida Flute Ensemble. During the 2019-2020 and 2012-2013 school years, she served as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Flute at UF.

Prior to her time at the University of Florida, she taught general music for grades K-5 in Michigan, grades K-2 in Texas, choir for grades 5-6 in Texas, and preschool music in Florida. Dr. Birkner holds a Ph.D. in music education from the University of Florida, a Master of Music in flute performance from the University of Florida, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Denison University with a double major in music and education.

My podcast is back for Season 6! This first episode features Ramon Niño III, a seasoned Director of Mariachi at North Side High School!

Experienced music teachers will gain valuable insights into Mr. Niño's teaching methods, his approach to mariachi education, and the profound impact of music on his students' lives. Overall, it's a must-listen for music educators seeking inspiration and a deeper understanding of mariachi music's role in education.

John Mlynczak has an extensive range of experiences in the music industry, music education, technology and leadership. John currently serves as the President and CEO of NAMM.

Prior to NAMM, John served as Vice President of Music Education & Technology at Hal Leonard, where he oversaw worldwide education market strategy, managed Noteflight, Essential Elements Interactive, and Essential Elements Music Class, and collaborated on all music education technology related initiatives for Hal Leonard. Previously, he was Managing Director of Noteflight and he is the immediate Past-President of the Technology Institute of Music Educators (TI:ME).

Mr. Mlynczak has taught online graduate courses at VanderCook College, served as Advocacy Chair of the Massachusetts Music Educator's Association, served on the NAMM SupportMusic Coalition, and on the NAfME Advocacy Leadership Force. He is a Google Level 2 Certified Educator and a frequent clinician on education technology and music advocacy.

Before his career at Hal Leonard, John served as Director of Education for PreSonus Audio, where he developed curriculum, products, and marketing strategies for music education technology. ​

As an educator Mr. Mlynczak taught general music, band, choir, marching band, and music technology. He started the first music technology course in Louisiana and wrote the state curriculum for an official approved course. From 2011- 2013 John served as Chairman of the Creative Arts Assessment Committee in Louisiana and provided model assessment for the creative arts.

Steve Giddings was born in Stratford, Prince Edward Island, Canada and teaches K-6 music at Montague Consolidated School in Prince Edward Island. There he leads a grades 4-6 choir, 2 rock bands, a guitar club, and acts as musical director for various productions at the school. His passion for integrating rock bands into the elementary school setting led to the founding of the annual "Rock-a-palooza: PEI Schools of Rock Showcase" event in Prince Edward Island. As well, he has published articles in the Canadian Music Educator Journal, the quarterly publication of the Canadian Music Educators' Association, on the topics of creativity as well as teaching rock bands in schools.

Jaimie Abney-Giraldo is a career music educator who is currently serving as the Fine Arts Coordinator for School District U-46 (Elgin, IL), a position she has held since 2017. Prior to coming into this role, she served as a building-level administrator, a band teacher, and a Mariachi instructor between 2004-2017. She holds her Bachelor of Music Education Degree with a focus on Instrumental Music from Illinois State University (2004), as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University Chicago (2011).

Ms. Abney-Giraldo has been a key player in establishing and building the Mariachi education program in School District U-46 since the program’s inception in 2009. Mariachi Joya Dorada de U-46 – the “golden jewel” of the larger school community – performs regularly for school and community events. Ms. Abney-Giraldo has attended the annual National Mariachi Workshops for Music Educators four times to date, and has brought the workshop and its esteemed clinicians to School District U-46 since the summer of 2018. She continues to sing and play guitarron with the group when available. Referred to by Erik Ramirez of Mariachi Acero de Las Vegas as “La Madrina del Mariachi” for the Elgin community – the godmother of Mariachi – Ms. Abney-Giraldo has been an active advocate for Mariachi Education in the region. She was a contributor to 2022’s The Music Teacher's Guide to Engaging English Language Learners, for which she wrote a chapter about the benefits and connections that Mariachi education can bring to a school community. She is also a regular contributor to School Band & Orchestra magazine. In addition, she has presented Mariachi education professional development sessions at the local, state, and national levels.

Jaimie currently serves the Illinois Music Education Association as the District 9 President, and has previously served as the Percussion Coordinator and on the percussion team for the Association’s All-State Conference from 2001-2020. Ms. Abney-Giraldo is an active musician, performing as a percussionist around the Fox Valley area.

Following a Degree in Music & Education Psychology from Surrey and a PGCE at Kingston , Nick started his teaching career in Surrey which was where he really learnt his craft as a music teacher and became fully involved in all aspects of musical life in the school. It was also here where he had the opportunity to build a music studio from the ground up, standing him in good stead for regenerating technology facilities in his future schools. After working his way up the ranks to Head of Faculty in an inner-city London school, he has also taken a sideways move to become more closely involved in SEND students, exercising his passion for helping children with special needs and English as an alternative language whilst breaking down barriers to accessing music. Throughout his career he has a firm belief that Music exists beyond the classroom and has MD'd over 50 shows, conducted many varied ensembles and performed in all the major London venues. 9 years ago Nick moved to Warlingham School where he is now Head of Music. The department is now thriving with a challenging and adventurous curriculum offer supported by 3 staff and a large number of peri staff. Fundamental to his teaching style is a belief that every child can access Music, and every child has the opportunities to express themselves, enjoy individual and collaborative music making and succeed in a supportive and safe environment. Nick maintains an active interest in performing and composing himself to maintain and develop his own musicianship.

Amy Black is currently teaching at Vicenza Middle School in DoDEA Europe South. She teaches grades 6, 7, 8 music classes. Music classes include band, strings, and choir.

Amy received her Bachelor of Art in Music Education from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. Her continued interest in music technology has influenced her studies as she works towards a certification in Educational Technology.

Amy recalls two points of pride in her teaching career. One point is seeing all of the leadership skills that are taught in the performance classes, come to life. The other point is a time when music teachers became her students. These native South African music teachers had received no formal music training and were required to start teaching music to the new government standards. Amy, along with a team from the University of Pretoria, had a week-long workshop with these teachers. She was an instructor and music technology specialist, training teachers in music software, basic laptop and mouse use, and recorders.

Anthony “Tony” White is currently the Administrative Coordinator for the Los Angeles Unified School District’s – Beyond the Bell Music and Entertainment Education Office, advising the district’s music program that provides a comprehensive music education to over 15,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Mr. White created the “Music and Entertainment” office to assist with bridging secondary music programs with the wide opportunities in Los Angeles for students to perform and learn from the various experiences in the music community. Prior to Mr. White appointment at the district level, he was the band director at John C. Fremont High School in Los Angeles for ten of his thirty-seven years in music education. During his tenure at Fremont High School, Mr. White’s bands consistently received high ratings, and students were regularly selected for honor ensembles. Mr. White is the Administrator of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s All-District High School Honor Marching and Jazz programs. Both groups have become regulars at the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festivals. He serves on the boards of Friends of Jazz at UCLA, Education through Music- Los Angeles, Proposition 28: Arts and Music Program, Pacific Crest Youth Arts Organization and has held positions on the boards of the California Music Educators Association and Jazz Education Network. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). He holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Music from the University of California, Riverside and a Master’s Degree from Pepperdine University in Public School Administration. Mr. White has been recognized for his work by the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, the Los Angeles Jazz Society and the Los Angeles Unified School District as being an outstanding Music Administrator. He regularly is called upon to conduct honor bands, adjudicate festivals and to perform as a woodwind artist (saxophone, clarinet and flute) throughout California.

Katie Wardrobe is a music technology trainer, consultant, blogger and podcaster who is passionate about helping music teachers through her business Midnight Music (www.midnightmusic.com.au). She runs hands-on workshops, presents regularly at conferences in Australia and overseas and she offers online training and support to music teachers all over the world. Katie’s workshops and courses focus on incorporating technology into the music curriculum and practical tips for resource creation and productivity.

Katie has been a Keynote speaker at the Australian Society for Music Education National Conference, the Music Education New Zealand National Conference and the ACT Music Educators Network Conference.

Her online music technology professional development learning space - the Midnight Music Community - was launched in 2016 and has hundreds of members from around the world. She also runs a series of free webinars once a month which have been attended by more than 20,000 teachers in 2020 alone.

Katie is the author of the keyboard and technology program for middle school students titled Studio Sessions (published by MusicEDU) and she publishes a popular annual guide called the Ultimate Guide To Free Music Tech Resources on the Midnight Music blog. . Katie is also the host of the Music Tech Teacher podcast which was launched in early 2017 and has almost 150 episodes.

Gillian Desmarais is the K-12 Music Production and Engineering Teacher at Maplewood Public Schools in Maplewood, MN. As a former music technology graduate student at New York University, she continues to perform research in collaboration with Dr. Alex Ruthmann, Director of the NYU MusEDLab, for developing curriculum, new music ensembles, and web applications. Gillian has been nationally recognized by the National Association for Music Education for her work in electronic composition and routinely presents at all-state conferences and universities.

Ryan Van Bibber teaches music and audio production at the Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center in Columbus City Schools and at Columbus State Community College. He previously taught instrumental and general music in grades 3-12. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Ohio University, a Master of Arts in Music Education from The Ohio State University, and a Master Certificate in Music Writing and Production from the Berklee College of Music Online.

Mrs. Sempsey is a veteran educator of 20 years and has taught kindergarten through sixth grade general music, elementary choruses, as well as elementary and middle school strings in Lower Dauphin, Conestoga Valley School Districts, and Columbia Borough School District, where she served as the K-12 Art & Music Coordinator. Mrs. Sempsey has also been the Artistic Director and Prelude Choir Director for the Children’s Choir of Lancaster from 2005-2012. Currently, she teaches kindergarten through sixth grade general music and chorus in Hempfield School District.

Amy Benton is a veteran general music teacher and choral director who has primarily taught at the middle school level for fourteen years. A graduate of the University of Delaware (BMAS Music Education, 2009) and Temple University (MM Music Education, 2016), she has sung under the direction of Dr. Paul Head and Dr. Rollo Dilworth, among others. During her time at the University of Delaware, she was a member of the prestigious U.D. Chorale, and traveled to many different places on various choral tours to Europe and Asia. Her proudest accomplishments during her tenure were singing on the Great Wall of China, and winning the Grand Prix in a choral competition in Tallinn, Estonia.

Scott Rush is the team lead for the "Habits" series published by GIA and currently serves as the conductor of the Charleston Wind Symphony. He is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and is the former Director of Bands at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, SC. Under his direction, the Wando Symphonic Band performed at the 2007 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and were BOA Grand National Finalists. Mr. Rush is active as a conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the United States and Canada. He is the author and co-author of fifteen highly touted books, some of which include: Habits of A Successful Band Director, Habits of a Successful Musician, Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician, Habits of a Successful Middle School Musician, Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Director, Habits of a Successful Middle School Band Director, Habits of a Significant Band Director, Habits of a Successful Music Education Student and Pathway to Success for GIA Publications. In 2010, Mr. Rush was elected to the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. He currently serves as President of the Servant Leadership Association for Music (SLAM).on goes here

PATRICK J. BURNS has served as Adjunct Professor of Music at Montclair State University in New Jersey since 1994, where he teaches courses in music theory, orchestration, and composition, and has also been Director of the New Jersey City University Symphony of Winds and Percussion since September 2011. As a clarinetist, Mr. Burns has performed with many professional ensembles in the New York metro area including the Metropolitan Opera Summer Ballet Orchestra, the pit orchestra for the Broadway revival production of Camelot, and with the New Jersey Chamber Music Society in broadcasts for National Public Radio and New Jersey Network Television. He taught for 15 years in the Caldwell-West Caldwell Public Schools. Mr Burns is currently employed by Ackk Studios as orchestrator for the company’s video projects. Recently, several of his orchestrations were recorded by the Prague FilmHharmonic Orchestra, with more planned for late-2023.

In March 2010, he founded his own publishing company, Bandworks Publications, which he continues to operate today. His music can be heard at his websites, www.bandworkspublications.com, and www.youtube.com/patrickburnsmusic.

Mr. Timothy Brendler is the Director of the Music Theory and Piano Program and Grade 11 Dean at the I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA in Ft. Worth ISD. He also serves as the Small School Area Vocal Chair for the state of Texas. Additionally, Mr. Brendler is a curriculum writer for the Metropolitan Opera. An avid advocate for bringing opera education to the ends of the earth, Mr. Brendler has played an integral part in the Met’s Global Summer Camp program which has reached countless young people and families across the globe. Mr. Brendler was named the 2020 Bayard H. Friedman Chair for Teaching Excellence in Performing Arts, recognized for exemplary teaching in the performing arts.

Dr. Lee Whitmore is a music, audio, creative digital media, and education thought leader. He’s the Vice President for education at Focusrite Group, which includes Focusrite, Novation and Ampify Music, Sequential and Oberheim, ADAM Audio, Martin Audio and Optimal Audio, Linea Research.

With a career that spans three decades, his professional assignments have included leadership positions at music industry companies Avid, Sibelius, and Korg USA, as well as the GRAMMY Music Education Coalition and Berklee College of Music. He has a doctorate from Columbia University Teachers College in music education and technology. Because music has dramatically affected his personal life and career, Lee is a vocal advocate for access to music and related arts for all young people.

Active in service to music, community, and education, Lee is a Beats By Girlz board member, an executive board member of The MIDI Association, also serving as its volunteer chief financial officer, and leading its MIDI in Music Education (MiME) Special Interest Group. He is also an advisory board member for the Bob Moog Foundation and the Richmond Symphony School of Music.

The tables get turned on me in this podcast, and I am the one being interview by Noah Teachey as a part of the podcast series from Education Through Music.

Jessica Husselstein is the Director of Bands at Tommie Kunst Junior High, Martin Luther Tunnell Elementary, and William Rice Elementary schools in Santa Maria, California.

Jessica received her BA in Music from California State University Stanislaus and her MA in Educational Leadership and Administration from California Lutheran University. She continues to perform, most recently with the Saluting America’s Band Directors ensemble in the 2022 Rose Parade and will be joining them again in 2023 for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She also serves as a guest conductor for the Santa Ynez Valley Wind Ensemble.

A vocal advocate that Arts Education is for all students, Jessica served on the founding board of CMEA Southwestern section as secretary from 2014-2016, Vice President from 2016-2018, President from 2018-2020, and Past-President from 2020-2022. During the pandemic, she found herself as California Music Educators Association State board’s acting chair for Music Education Technology.

Chris Chidsey is in his 26th year of teaching in the Strongsville City School district which is a suburb of Cleveland Ohio. He spent 17 years teaching at the high school level, and the last 9 at the middle school level, mostly band from grades 5-12. He also has taught a high school music theory and technology class, and helped develop the Art and Music Production course for 8th graders.

Chris earned his bachelor in Music Education from Capital University in Columbus, Masters of Music Education from the University of Akron, and a Masters Certificate in Music Technology from the University of Newcastle, Australia. He is on the Ohio state board of TI:ME, an organization that is dedicated to music technology in education. He has presented at the OMEA/TIME state conventions multiple times about Music technology projects in the middle school classroom.

Leah Elaine Hanley is a New York City Department of Education music teacher. In her 15+ years teaching in the Bronx, she has taught Strings, Music Technology, and Core Music for grades K-8. Mrs. Hanley is the founding and current director of the Salute to Music Bronx Orchestra and the orchestra program at M.S. 180 in Co-op City. Her leadership roles include Lead Mentor for the Paul Simon Fellows Program as well as Facilitator for Connected Arts Network and City-wide Music. Mrs. Hanley’s academic interests include music teacher mentorship, development of CR-SE music curriculum and the role of instructional technology in teaching and learning music. Leah lives in Harlem with her gorgeous husband and enjoys a good brunch, a walk in the park, and performing as a violinist with the great musicians in NYC.

John Nieto is the Mariachi Director of Brackenridge HS in San Antonio, Texas. He has held this position since 1990. He also holds the position of Lead Mariachi Instructor for the San Antonio ISD.

His groups have placed in various competitions all over Texas, New Mexico and Florida. Several of his trumpet players have also earned a spot in the All State band, the last one being his son John Jr.

In the past years he has not only arranged hundreds of pieces for all levels, but also created resources for all levels including music theory exercises and a beginner method which is in preproduction to be published. He also has composed music for beginner mariachi which require as few as five notes to perform.

John’s mariachi journey began when he was taken against his will by his parents to rehearsals of Mariachi Infantil Guadalupano. In the span of 42 years, he has performed in Europe, Asia, Mexico and all over the US.

Description goeJaye Mateyko is the Director of Support and Training for MusicFirst and has been with the company since 2015. They completed a bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Syracuse University and a master’s degree in Music Education at New York University, with teaching experiences ranging from first grade general music to high school marching band, and much in between. With MusicFirst, Jaye has presented at music education association conferences around the country including Texas, New Jersey, and most recently Missouri and Kentucky. As a classical saxophone player, they enjoy playing in ensembles of varying sizes and specifically love saxophones in consort.s here

If you would like to hear episodes from the previous 4 seasons, this is the place!