We are doing something different and fun this week! Just me, and three young colleagues about half my age. Over the last few months, I have gotten several requests to do an episode dedicated to the issues and concerns faced by the next generation of educators. What better way to do that than host a panel?!
In this lively discussion with Amenah Ghani, Madelyn Merrell and Victoria Devine, we compare notes on life as a music major in the post-pandemic era and the late 1990’s when I was in undergrad. We also talk about ways young teachers should approach that first job search, and how our educational philosophies evolve over time from that first paper we write about it Junior year. Finally, the guests and I dig in to some keys to success and mindset for young educators.
For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!
Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos
Madelyn Merrell is a singer, pianist, and educator that strives to make music learning responsive to students’ needs and interests. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree in voice with honors from Jacobs School of Music, with minors in Conducting and General Music Education. She is presently pursuing a Master of Music Education Degree from Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.
Madelyn has performed with Indiana University’s Singing Hoosiers, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. Besides her classical training, she has experience with musical theatre, contemporary music, and jazz.
She currently works in Chicago Public Schools at Westinghouse College Preparatory High School, where she serves as the choir and piano teacher, as well as the music director for musicals and sponsor of Glee Club and Piano Club. Outside of her this, Madelyn teaches private voice and piano lessons at Pilsen Music Studio. She is dedicated to sharing the joy of music with students of all ages and backgrounds!
Her “Teachergram”: @MsMerrellMusic
Amenah Ghani (she/her) is currently a sophomore general/choral Music Education major at the University of Delaware. From a young age, Amenah displayed an extraordinary affinity for music which was fostered through high level music making with the Princeton Girlchoir from ages 9-18 under the direction of Dr. Lynnel Joy Jenkins.
So far during her time at the University of Delaware, Amenah has been involved in community service organizations and her school of music student council. In addition, she serves as the treasurer of the UD ACDA chapter and the president of the UD NAfME chapter. Through the UD Community Music School, Amenah has taught early childhood music classes, ukulele, and middle school choir. Learning to embrace her solo voice, Amenah is involved with the UD Lyric Theatre and has the immense pleasure of studying voice under Dr. Noël Archambeault.
She has a deep rooted passion for social justice and advocacy work. With patience and creativity, she hopes to instill not just technical expertise but also a deep appreciation for the language of music in her students.
Victoria Devine is in her second year of teaching at Manorhaven Elementary School in Port Washington, NY, as the General Music and Chorus Teacher. She also works as the music director for the Spring Musical at Valley Stream South High School. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Ithaca College, and will be starting her Masters in Music Education this summer.
Episode 199: Singing Alone, “The Boogey Man in the Closet”
Episode 198: Beating the Odds Through Choral Music with Steven Hankle
Episode 197: Ripping off the Band-Aid Volume 2
Episode 196: Educating the Anxious Generation
Episode 195: Elementary Choirs-Our Manhattan Project with Bruce Rockwell
Episode 194: A Round Peg Voice in a Square Hole Choir with Timothy Mount
Episode 193: The Aeolian Way with Jeremy Sovoy Jordan
Ep 192: Music Literacy for All: Debunking Myths and Embracing Diversity by Odell Zeigler
Episode 191: Rise Up and Sing with Shanan Estreicher
Episode 190: Girls Voices Change Too! With Dr. Bridget Sweet
Episode 189: Can We Meet Kids Where They Are Without Lowering Standards? With Jonathan Talberg
Episode 188: Why Don’t Boys Want to Sing? With Martin Ashley
Episode 187: Five Years of Changing and Expanding the Conversation and
Episode 186: It’s Time for Anti-Racism with Love, with Chloé Valdary
Episode 185: Bringing the Wisdom of Hebrew Texts into the Choral Canon with Nicholas Weininger
Episode 184: Should We Stop Assessing Sight Reading at All State Choir? With Drs. Marshaun Hymon and Chantae Pittman
Episode 183: At a Crossroads in Higher Ed with Lynn Atkins
Episode 181: Finding Equilibrium in the Teacher Life with Jimmy Robertson
Episode 180: The Performance Practice of African Choral Music with Chukwuebuka Ezeakacha
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