In episode 85, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Merlin Thompson, an experienced private music teacher, clinician, and the founder of Teach Music 21C. With over 45 years of teaching experience, Merlin shares powerful insights on fostering lifelong musicianship through reflective partnership teaching. He challenges the traditional master-apprentice model and instead emphasizes a collaborative, student-centered approach that encourages ownership, creativity, and personal connection to music. Merlin shares practical strategies for helping students engage with music beyond lessons, including his innovative “chill out concert” concept and the importance of integrating student choice into learning.

Music educators of all kinds—whether private instructors or classroom teachers—will find valuable takeaways in this conversation. Merlin’s framework of gathering information, exploring perspectives, and planning next steps provides a clear path toward more meaningful music instruction. If you’re looking to empower your students to become lifelong music-makers, this episode is packed with actionable ideas that you can implement right away. Tune in and get inspired to rethink how you approach student learning in your own teaching!

Connect with Merlin and learn more:

- Website: Teach Music 21c
- LinkedIn

- Book: More than Music Lessons

Resources from this episode:

- Episode 78: Fostering Collaboration, Ownership, and Creativity

- Student Decision Making Resource: Let Students Decide

Connect with Pass the Baton and learn more:

- Pass the Baton website

- Join the Coffee Club

- Support Pass the Baton

- Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection! Get it for free now. ⁠⁠

In episode 84, Theresa and Kathryn sit down with Leah Hanley to explore how assessment can be a powerful tool for student empowerment in music education. Leah, a seasoned orchestra teacher in the Bronx, shares insights on the distinction between summative and formative assessment and how the latter can be seamlessly integrated into daily music instruction. She highlights the importance of making assessment visible to students, allowing them to take ownership of their learning. Through practical strategies like using technology for individual assessment and embedding reflection into rehearsals, Leah demonstrates how teachers can help students become independent musicians who can analyze, problem-solve, and improve their performance.

Leah also shares actionable tips that music educators can implement right away, including setting up a simple recording system for self-evaluation and using structured discussion protocols to guide student reflections. She emphasizes that authentic assessments—those that involve real music-making rather than paper-based exercises—are key to fostering meaningful growth. Whether you're looking to refine your assessment practices or find ways to engage students more deeply, this conversation is full of valuable insights to help transform your teaching. Tune in to discover how to shift the focus of assessment from judgment to growth, creating a classroom culture where students thrive.

Connect with Leah and learn more:

• https://www.stringsattached.blog/
• https://nafme.org/publications-resources/connected-arts-network-project/
• https://www.musicfirst.com/

Other resources from this episode:

• Episode 67 -Unlock Student Potential: Transforming Assessments in Music Education
• Episode 55 -Assessment for Learning: Nurturing Growth and Progress in Every Student
• Exit Tickets for Self-Reflection
• Exit Ticket for Music Classes

Learn more about Pass the Baton:

• Pass the Baton website:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.passthebatonbook.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Join the Coffee Club:https://buymeacoffee.com/passthebaton/membership
• Support Pass the Baton:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/passthebaton
• Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection! Get it for free now:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/f8l7g9

In episode 83, Theresa and Kathryn welcome Jasmine Henderson to discuss her innovative approach to empowering students through social justice projects in general music classes. Jasmine shares her journey from teaching K-8 general music and choir to collaborating with university students to design a groundbreaking project called the "Sonic Justice Collage." This unique initiative allowed students to explore topics they were passionate about—such as climate change and racial injustice—and express their ideas through music, using tools like Soundtrap to create public service announcements and multimedia collages. Jasmine reflects on how this project fostered student voice, creativity, and community while also providing valuable teaching experiences for pre-service educators.

Listeners will be inspired by Jasmine’s emphasis on student-centered learning and the power of music to address meaningful societal issues. She also provides practical tips for music teachers looking to implement similar projects, including strategies for collaboration, encouraging student choice, and navigating potential challenges. Whether you're a seasoned educator or new to teaching, this episode offers actionable ideas to engage students and cultivate a classroom environment where they feel seen, heard, and empowered. Don’t miss Jasmine’s heartfelt advice and the impactful stories from her classroom!

Connect with Jasmine:

Email: jas.d.henderson@gmail.com

Other Resources from this Episode

*Episode 81: Professional Collaboration - https://bit.ly/49HlA51

*Recording Studio Checklist - https://buymeacoffee.com/passthebaton/creating-classroom-recording-studio-3403049

*Recording Studio Private Podcast (Coffee Club Members only) - https://buymeacoffee.com/passthebaton/creating-classroom-recording-studio

Learn more about Pass the Baton

*Pass the Baton website: https://www.passthebatonbook.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

*Join the Coffee Club: https://buymeacoffee.com/passthebaton/membership

*Support Pass the Baton: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/passthebaton

*Amplify student voice with Exit Tickets for Self Reflection! Get it for free now: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/f8l7g9