Showcasing the Musical Journey through Digital Portfolios
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Showcasing the Musical Journey through Digital Portfolios

ByTheresa Hoover

Digital portfolios have revolutionized various industries, and the world of music education is no exception. Traditionally, music classes have focused on performance-based assessments, leaving minimal room for comprehensive evaluation and holistic growth. However, digital portfolios offer a transformative medium for students to showcase their progress, creativity, and musical journeys. Why Incorporate Digital Portfolios in Music …

Strategies to Mix Things Up During Rehearsal
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Strategies to Mix Things Up During Rehearsal

ByTheresa Hoover

We’ve hit the time of year where many of us have settled into routines and (probably) feel pretty comfortable with what we’re doing. This is often when we ask, how can I make rehearsal more interesting? How can I ensure the students are engaged? How can I mix things up? While there is comfort in…

Creativity With Composing Pieces
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Creativity With Composing Pieces

ByTheresa Hoover

This was post was originally published in July 2021, but has been updated now in September 2022. As the new school year is about to start, remember how important it is to include students in the creative process. Even though my project was completed during hybrid learning, the concepts can definitely transfer now that we’re…

Empowering Music Students at the Beginning of the Year
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Empowering Music Students at the Beginning of the Year

ByTheresa Hoover

August 2022: This blog post has gotten a much-needed update! Whether you are about to start the school year or a few weeks in, hopefully it will provide you with simple ways to empower your music students. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that you can only empower music students later in…

How an “Almost Ready” Performance Gives Students Ownership
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How an “Almost Ready” Performance Gives Students Ownership

ByTheresa Hoover

As musicians, we’ve all been there. It’s the week before a performance and we wonder, am I really ready for this? Ready to get in front of an audience? Do I know the music well enough? Did I prepare everything thoroughly? We add a whole other layer to this when we ask the same questions…

Teach the Students In Front of You
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Teach the Students In Front of You

ByTheresa Hoover

I’ve heard many people lamenting recently about students musicians who are weak players, behind, or not performing up to expectations. I’m sure this is true in the eyes of the educator, but there are several things we must put into perspective. The last two years have been something else. No one teaching has ever experienced…