Music Education
Innovation and Inspiration
Latest Blog Posts from Off the Beaten Path
- Winter Break Reset: Strategies to Start the New Semester
There’s been a lot of talk recently about what to do the week after winter break. While the tendency might be to hit the ground running, this is also a great time to slow down and lay a solid foundation for what’s coming. What are habits or routines you started… - Harnessing the Power of Student-Created Videos in Music Programs
This article about student-created videos was originally published in The Woman Conductor Journal, October 2024 issue. For many years, music teachers have used audio and video recordings in the classroom. While reference recordings and instructional videos are valuable learning tools, incorporating student-created videos offers unique benefits that extend beyond passive learning. In this… - The Best Flip Alternatives for Music Education
In June 2024, Flip (formerly Flipgrid) dropped a bombshell: the beloved tool would be exclusive to Microsoft Teams starting July 1st. The news sent shockwaves through the music teacher community, as Flip had become an integral part of our teaching in recent years. While the loss of this tech tool… - Taming the Digital Clutter: A Summer Guide for Music Teachers
This article about taming digital clutter was originally published in The Woman Conductor Journal, June 2024 issue. Summer is often the time when busy music teachers rest and recharge, maybe finally tackling the tasks we have been neglecting throughout the school year. While this can be a good time to organize our… - Eight Creative Ideas to Try After a Concert
May 2024 – It was time for another update! There have been a lot of posts on social media from music teachers asking for suggestions on what to do with the time after a concert, of what to do when class is disrupted because of testing. So, if either of… - The Qualities of an Empowered Music Student
Wow, it’s been 6 years since Kathryn Finch and I originally wrote this! It’s amazing to think about how far this work has come in that time…a book…and podcast…what’s next? For a long time, our focus was on engaging the learners and making sure students were “actively engaged” in music…
Meaningful Professional Learning
Theresa Hoover brings her passion and enthusiasm to presentations, workshops, and professional development programs in both in-person and virtual settings. Her sessions are inspiring and practical. Teachers will leave excited to try new things in their classrooms and have a clear picture of how to do so.