This article about integrating technology was originally published in The Woman Conductor Journal, February 2026 issue. Many band directors struggle with a fundamental question: why incorporate technology when the purpose of band is to perform music? Why bring devices into a setting that is dedicated to playing instruments? Why add something else? Why introduce another potential distraction?…
This article about tech safety was originally published in The Woman Conductor Journal, October 2025 issue. Technology has become increasingly common in music classrooms, whether through rehearsal recordings, shared videos, practice apps, and more. While tech can definitely enhance teaching and learning, music teachers also carry the responsibility of protecting student privacy and complying with various laws….
This article about digital forms was originally published in The Woman Conductor Journal, June 2025 issue. Technology is a powerful ally for music teachers striving for organization, and digital forms often stand out as a valuable, yet sometimes under-utilized, resource. Remember the days of stacks of permission slips and the frantic search for a missing instrument sign-out…
Summer is the perfect time for music teachers to step back, recharge, and take a well-earned break from the nonstop pace of the school year. But before you fully unplug, take a few minutes to set up some simple Google skills for music teachers that will help you stay organized and save time later. Whether…
This article about music theory tech tools was originally published in The Woman Conductor Journal, February 2025 issue. As ensemble directors, we aim to develop well-rounded musicians, who not only play their instruments well but also have a strong grasp of music theory fundamentals. While some students might struggle with skills like note and rhythm reading or…
This post got a much-needed update in March, 2025! Music in Our Schools Month (MIOSM®) is a great time for educators to showcase the fantastic things happening within their music programs. Throughout March, music departments all over the country put extra effort into making music noticeable and celebrating its contributions within their districts. This year,…
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 but maybe didn’t continue throughout…
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 article, I will provide several…
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 is undoubtedly hard, there are…
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 physical spaces, equally important is…