Music Educators
These trainings are designed for any stage music educator wanting to know more about the intersection between music education, music therapy, and supporting child development.
My goal is to get you excited about new research, deepen your understanding, and challenge you to expand your thinking. And, of course, to become even more fascinated by the super nerdy side of early childhood education!
Trainings are designed for:
- Any stage music educator wanting to know more about the intersection between music education, music therapy, and early childhood development.
Here are just some of the workshop offerings:
Empowering Adults: Taking the Lead in Active Music Making at Home
When teaching Music Learning Theory Early Childhood Education classes, it is essential to build the knowledge of the adults attending as much as the young children. Since parents/families are the child’s first teachers, by building the adult’s understanding of the “why” behind the activities in class and how they can use music throughout the day with their child, children will continue to gain valuable experiences and exposure. By the end of this training, participants will be able to (a) be able to articulate the “why” behind what they are doing in ECE classes, (b) offer parents new ways to incorporate what they are learning in ECE class into daily life, and (c) build confidence and capacity.
Designed for Parents/Families, Music Educators, Educators, Supervisors, Directors, and other Early Childhood Professionals
Offered virtually or in-person; co-presented with Jessica Eastridge, M.M.
Filling the Gaps in Preparatory Audition: Bringing Early Childhood Foundational Skills into Elementary and Secondary Classrooms
A solid foundation is necessary for lifelong musicianship. When older children are “stuck” in preparatory audition, they may lose interest in formal music-education settings (Learning Sequences in Music, 2012 Edition, pg. 95). In this session, we will discuss strategies to identify student’s needs and foster learning with developmentally and age-appropriate activities. By the end of this training, participants will be able to (a) identify students’ musical needs, (b) develop age-appropriate activities to move older students through preparatory audiation, and (c) implement strategies in an applied setting.
Designed for Parents/Families, Musical Educators, Educators, Supervisors, Directors, and other Early Childhood Professionals
Offered virtually or in-person; co-presented with Jessica Eastridge, M.M.
How Other People Do It- Empowering diversity by exploring education and parenting practices around the world
Explore parenting practices from cultures worldwide and which of these practices triggers our implicit biases. Develop a deeper understanding of the “why” behind various parenting practices in order to understand better the diverse families entering your program. Learn strategies to help build relationships with families while embracing cultural differences and helping families to understand your program’s expectations better.
The main take-home message from this presentation is the ability to acknowledge the parenting beliefs and biases we each bring into interactions with families from different cultural backgrounds. With more understanding and respect for the “why” behind various beliefs and practices, participants will be able to lead better conversations with families regarding the practices and expectations of your program. In this way, families’ home culture will not only be more included in their child’s daily experiences, but they will also gain a deeper understanding of “why” the program has specific beliefs and expectations too.
Designed for Parents/Families, Music Educators, Educators, Supervisors, Directors, and other Early Childhood Professionals
Offered virtually or in-person; MSDE COK Pending
From conception to the classroom: A deeper look at children’s musical development across multiple stages of growth
A solid foundation is necessary for lifelong musicianship. In this training, we will discuss strategies to identify students’ needs and foster learning with developmentally and age-appropriate activities.
Designed for Early Childhood Educators, Elementary Music Teachers, Supervisors, Directors, and other Early Childhood Professionals
Offered virtually or in-person; MSDE COK Pending
“Coming Soon” workshop offerings:
- F*ck, Another Self-Care Training: Using music, laughter, and cursing like a sailor to heal
- Polyvagal Theory 101: What is it, and how do I use this in my teaching?
- Brain Development and Epigenetics: How everything we do lays the foundation for future learning