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I love teaching music to kids! Make Moments Matter – A Music Education Podcast is the most recent attempt to share ideas, connect with other educators, and talk about what it’s really like to teach music to children. You can find new episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you stream podcasts!

Below you’ll find a short synopsis about each episode I’ve published so far as well as links/notes for the episode. If you have questions or comments I’d love to hear them! Shoot me an email at MakeMomentsMatter@gmail.com. Don’t forget to share and rate the podcast in Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. This helps others find the podcast and join the community!

Scroll down to see all the episodes starting with the most recent.

Find the Podcast at any of these hosts!

Make Moments Matter Podcast

2018

July 10

Folk, Frameworks, and Fun – Guest Interview on the Musicality Podcast

It was such a privilege to have a conversation with Christopher Sutton of Musical U on the Musicality Podcast. Click below to hear the full podcast episode where I talk about my experiences learning music as I was growing up, how and why I use the Orff approach in my own classroom, and many more thoughts about music education around the world. Find the episode on the Musical U website here or check out the episode on Apple Podcasts.

May 21

#033: Sweetly Sings the Donkey

Sweetly Sings the Donkey is one of my all-time favorite folk songs. Tune in to get lesson ideas about this fun folk song from the barnyard and hear about how I use it to connect with Westward Expansion, farm chores, and rounds/canons. I’ll also be talking about one of my favorite emergency backup YouTube channels from the band Ok Go! Check out the episode in Apple Podcasts here or you can listen on Soundcloud as well!

April 29

#032: Getting Started with Orff Schulwerk with guest Lisa Hewitt

In this episode I’m talking with Lisa Hewitt, current Vice President of the American Orff Schulwerk Association. Our conversation is all about the world of Orff Schulwerk: what it is, what it isn’t, pedagogy, teaching ideas, what you can expect should you decide to do Orff levels training, why you should visit a local Orff chapter, ideas about starting an all-state Orff ensemble, and more. Check out the episode in Apple Podcasts here or you can listen on Soundcloud as well!

April 22

#031 Orff Schulwerk & Kodály with guest Andrew Ellingsen

In this episode I’m talking with Andrew Ellingsen about Orff Schulwerk and Kodály-inspired teaching. We talk about the similarities, differences, application of each teaching approach, teacher education levels training, and a lot more. Check out the episode in Apple Podcasts here or you can listen on Soundcloud as well!

April 15

#030 Orff Schulwerk & Ukulele with guest Lorelei Batislaong

In this episode I’m talking with Lorelei Batislaong about Orff Schulwerk. In our conversation we talk primarily about how the ukulele can be introduced using the Orff approach and some tips, tricks, and lesson ideas for incorporating ukulele into your lessons. Check out the episode in Apple Podcasts here or you can listen online as well!

April 13

Elementary Music for Secondary Teachers Parts 1 & 2 – Guest Interview on the Music Ed Mentor Podcast

I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Elisa Jones of the Music Ed Mentor Podcast about what it’s really like to teach elementary music. Most music education degrees come with a K-12 teaching certificate, but not all people are immediately comfortable teaching elementary kids. Many of us focused on secondary school in college, and when confronted with the realities of teaching elementary music we have to make some adjustments. Listen in to hear our conversation about some of the pitfalls of teaching elementary music, what can make your life easier, and a lot of tips and tricks for being the best elementary music teacher possible! Find the episodes on the Music Ed Mentor Podcast website here or check out the episode on Apple Podcasts.

April 8

#029 Orff Schulwerk & Movement With Guest Laura Bercaw Petersen

In this episode I’m talking with Laura Bercaw Petersen about Orff Schulwerk. In our conversation we talk primarily about how movement and dance function as a part of the Orff approach and ways that you can incorporate movement into your lessons. Check out the episode in Apple Podcasts here or you can listen on Soundcloud as well!

April 4

#028 – Getting Started in Orff Schulwerk with guest Karen Petty

In this episode I’m talking with Karen Petty about the world of Orff Schulwerk. We talk about how to get kids started on the instruments, mallet exploration, recorder tidbits, some movement ideas, teacher education levels, and a lot more. Check out the episode in Apple Podcasts here or you can listen on Soundcloud as well!

March 31

#027 Orff Shulwerk & Pitched Percussion with guest Josh Southard

In this episode I’m talking with Josh Southard about the world of Orff Schulwerk and the instruments often used in Orff classrooms. We talk about how to get kids started on the instruments, pitched percussion exploration, instrument tips and tricks, how many/what kind of instruments to purchase, some instrument care ideas, and lots more! Check out the episode in Apple Podcasts here or you can listen on Soundcloud as well!

March 25

#026 Orff Schulwerk & Recorder With Guest Natasha Thurmon

In this episode I get a chance to discuss everything recorder with my friend Natasha Thurmon. In this conversation we talk primarily about ways to approach teaching the recorder, some common practices, resources to consider, and more! Check out the episode in Apple Podcasts here or you can listen on Soundcloud as well!

March 18

#025 Orff Schulwerk & Movement with guest Beth Melin Nelson

In this episode I’m talking with Beth Melin Nelson about Orff Schulwerk. In our conversation we talk primarily about how movement and dance function as a part of the Orff approach and ways that you can incorporate movement into your lessons. Check out the episode in Apple Podcasts here or you can listen on Soundcloud as well!

March 17

#024 – Exploring Orff Schulwerk With Guest Jennifer Donovan

In this episode I’m talking with Jennifer Donovan about the world of Orff Schulwerk. Our conversation centers around what it means to be an Orff teacher, ways to include pitched and nonpitched instruments into lessons, tips for teaching recorder, ideas about teaching on a cart, and lots more. Check out the episode HERE.

March 5

#023 – Exploring Orff Schulwerk with guest Tiffany English

In this episode I’m talking with Tiffany English, current president of the American Orff Schulwerk Association. Our conversation is all about the world of Orff Schulwerk: what it is, what it isn’t, pedagogy, teaching ideas, what you can expect should you decide to do Orff levels training, why you should visit a local Orff chapter, and more. Check out the episode HERE.

February 8

#022: Los Pollitos Dicen

I’m sharing about one of the most famous Spanish-language folk songs: Los Pollitos Dicen. Tune in to get lesson ideas about this fun Chilean folk song, ways to include puppets in the lesson, vocabulary tips, and some ideas for movement/actions. I’ll also be talking about one of my favorite finger puppet tricks to save time and sanity! Check out the episode HERE.

January 22

#021: Cockles & Mussels (aka Molly Malone)

Here’s another song that’s perfect for the weeks leading up to the Olympics: Cockles & Mussels (aka Molly Malone). Tune in to get lesson ideas about this Irish folk song, ways to include movement, and a fun connection with nonpitched percussion. I’ll also be talking about one of my favorite toys, the Pick Punch, and how to incorporate it into open house and parent teacher conference nights. Check out the episode HERE.

January 16

#020: Samba Lelê

It’s almost time for the Olympics so why not share some ideas for teaching music from around the world! Tune in to hear lesson ideas for the Brazilian folk song Samba Lelê as well as some handy tips and tricks for getting the most out of Pinterest! Check out the episode HERE.

2017

December 11

#019 Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas

In this episode you’ll get TWO different lesson ideas to use during the holiday season. I talk about several different ways to teach Jingle Bells so that you can use the carol with all grades and some lesson ideas for We Wish You a Merry Christmas. I’ll also talk about how I take my students caroling through the school and make a surprise visit to the front office. Check out the episode HERE.

December 5

#018 Nutcracker March and O Tannenbaum

In this episode you’ll get TWO different lesson ideas to use during the holiday season. I talk about my movement lesson for primary students based around the “March” from the Nutcracker and then I share about how I teach the favorite carol “O Tannenbaum” and the movement ideas I’ve included with the song. As an added treat you get to hear me fail to pronounce both “Tchaikovsky” and also several German words and phrases. Check out the episode HERE!

November 27

#017 – Over the River and Through the Woods

This episode includes five different ideas to use with the folk song “Over the River and Through the Woods” including some movement ideas, rewriting the lyrics, nonpitched percussion, and more. I’ll also talk a little bit about how you can add a giving opportunity to your concerts to help connect your audience with your school community! Check out the episode HERE!

November 5

#016: Five Fat Turkeys

This episode includes a variety of ideas to use with the folk song “Five Fat Turkeys” including some new and hilarious extension ideas for dancing kiddos and falling turkeys. I’ll also talk a little bit about your chance to connect with another music educator through the “Music Teacher Matchup” I’m hosting on my blog. Check out the episode HERE!