Episode 104 — Dr. Heather Lofdahl: Expanding String Education & Teacher Training Join us for a conversation with Dr. Heather Lofdahl, Assistant Professor of Music Education at The Ohio State University and recipient of the 2025 OSU Distinguished Teaching Award. We discuss her work expanding access to string education through community partnerships,…

🎙️ Episode 103 — Dr. Tamara Dworetz: Leading with Passion, Purpose, and Presence In this inspiring episode, we welcome Dr. Tamara Dworetz, a dynamic American conductor whose passion for music, education, and storytelling is evident in every note she leads. Tamara shares her incredible journey—from her beginnings in the Atlanta public school system …

Episode 102 – Dr. Benjamin Whitcomb: Performer, Pedagogue, and Prolific Author In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, we welcome the esteemed Dr. Benjamin Whitcomb, Professor of Cello and Music Theory at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. Dr. Whitcomb shares insights from his extensive career as a performer, educator, and author. Wi…

The Orchestra Teacher Podcast – Episode #101 with Dr. Rick Webb In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, we welcome Dr. Richard S. Webb, a distinguished educator, conductor, and scholar in the field of string music education. Dr. Webb shares insights from his journey, from earning degrees in viola performance and music education at Bowling…

We’ve made it to Episode 100 of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, and there’s no better way to celebrate this milestone than by welcoming one of the most influential voices in string education—Dr. Bob Gillespie. Dr. Gillespie is Professor Emeritus of String Education and Pedagogy at The Ohio State University, a past national President of the American …

Episode #99 – Bridging Cultures and Styles with Jesús Florido In this vibrant episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, we welcome the incomparable Jesús E. Florido—a genre-defying violinist, passionate educator, and global clinician whose music and teaching transcend borders. Classically trained yet wildly versatile, Jesús brings a rich fusion of …

Episode #98 – Dr. James Mick discusses college teaching, his research, and more! In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. James Mick, Professor of Music Education at Ithaca College, for an insightful conversation on the art and heart of string education. With a wealth of experience as a conductor, pedagogue, …

Episode 97 – Inspiring the Next Generation: A Conversation with Daniella Valdez In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Daniella Valdez, a dynamic music educator, conductor, and advocate for orchestral excellence. As the Director of String Ensembles at the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO) and Director of…

Episode 96 – A Legacy of Excellence: Bill Bitter on Four Decades of Music Education In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, I am honored to welcome the legendary Bill Bitter, a powerhouse in music education with over 40 years of experience in Gilbert Public Schools, Arizona. Mr. Bitter dedicated his career to shaping young musicians, teac…

In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, we sit down with the incredibly talented Dr. Geoff Neuman, a seasoned conductor, educator, and bassist. Dr. Neuman currently serves as the Director of Instrumental Music at The State College of Florida, where he leads The Bradenton Symphony and SCF Symphonic Band. With over 25 years of experience in…

In episode 94 of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, we are honored to welcome the esteemed Georgia Lambros Ekonomou. With an impressive career spanning decades, Georgia has made a profound impact on string education in Georgia and beyond. As the former director of orchestras at the Paideia School and the Lovett School, she has led ensembles to national…

🎻 Episode #93 – A Lifetime of Orchestral Excellence with Dr. Mark Laycock 🎶 In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, we are honored to welcome Dr. Mark Laycock, Professor of Music at Wichita State University, where he holds the Ann Walenta Faculty of Distinction Endowed Professorship. As Director of Orchestras and Coordinator of Strings, D…

I am proud to announce that The Orchestra Teacher Podcast is now sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures! As a leader in the student travel industry for 30+ years, Kaleidoscope Adventures exceeds expectations for student and performance group travel.Learn more at https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-orchestra-teacher-podcast…

🎻 Episode #92 – Inspiring Excellence in Music Education with Stephen Lawrence-Carroll 🎶 In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Stephen Lawrence-Carroll, an esteemed music educator and Director of Orchestral and Music Theory Activities at North Atlanta High School in Atlanta, GA. As the Fine and Performing Arts …

Episode #91: Fiddling in the Classroom with Kiana June Weber In this exciting episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, we welcome Kiana June Weber—renowned American-Irish fiddler, educator, and entrepreneur—to discuss her inspiring journey and how teachers can incorporate fiddling into the classroom. A visionary educator and thought leader, Kiana …

Building Bridges: Fostering Collaboration Between Band and Orchestra Directors In this special episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, we welcome two outstanding music educators, Susan Abell and Nick Blue, to discuss the importance of building a collaborative and supportive relationship between band and orchestra directors. Far too often, band an…

In this special episode, hosts Charles Laux and Jessica Fuchs dive into their upcoming presentation at the ASTA National Conference:Compare, Contrast, Collaborate: Perspectives from Early and Late Career Experiences. Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of orchestra education through the lens of both new and seasoned educators. We’ll discus…

Amy Clement has taught orchestra in Gwinnett County since 1997. She is currently in her 16th year as one of the orchestra directors at North Gwinnett Middle School. Orchestras under the direction of Ms. Clement have consistently received superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation and her students also participate in solo/ensemble, count…

The Orchestra Teacher Podcast – Special Guest Harrison Cook 🎻 In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, we welcome Harrison Cook, Director of Orchestras at Kennesaw Mountain High School in Cobb County, Georgia. Now in his ninth year of teaching, Harrison brings a unique perspective to the classroom, having transitioned from a full-time care…

In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, I have a conversation with Angela Harman, a dynamic music educator and leader in the string education community. Angela teaches orchestra in Utah’s Nebo School District, where her dedication and passion have grown her program to include over 360 students daily. Angela is also the founder of Orchestr…

In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome Christine E. Gero, an accomplished conductor, violinist, and music educator. 🎧 Tune in to learn more about Ms. Gero’s unique path, her experiences as a violinist and educator, and her thoughts on keeping orchestra education vibrant and relevant in today’s world. Don’t miss th…

David Pope serves an Associate Professor of Music Education at Baldwin Wallace University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts. In addition, he is also a senior conductor and camp director for the Baldwin Wallace University String Orchestra Camp and serves as a string clinician for Alfred Music. As an active adjudicator and clinician, he has conducted…

Weekend Preview!! Some fantastic episodes coming this weekend! A trifecta of greatness -- college, high school, and middle school specialists!! Friday is Dr. David Pope from Baldwin Wallace University. Saturday I have Christine Gero who is orchestra director in Seattle, Washington. Then on Sunday is the incredible Angela Harman, Orchestra Director …

David Doke is a dedicated and accomplished music educator with over 30 years of experience in orchestra program development and conducting. He spent his teaching career in the Cobb County (GA) School System, where he holds the notable achievement of founding two high school orchestra programs. His teaching journey began in 1994 as the founding dire…

Ben McWhorter is the orchestra teacher at Tates Creek High School in Lexington, Kentucky. Known for his professional, engaging, and collaborative approach to teaching, Ben’s orchestras have consistently earned “Distinguished” ratings at district performance assessments during his 19 year tenure. In 2023, Ben implemented a middle school mentoring pr…

Thomas Chen is Director of Orchestras at Carmel High School in Carmel, Indiana. Under his direction, the Carmel High School Symphony Orchestra earned regular appearances at the Indiana State School Music Association State High School Concert Finals, produced a recording of Dvorak Symphony No. 9, and performed at The Midwest Clinic in 2019 and 2024.…

This the LAST episode for 2024! Thank you for the support this year! A ton of great content coming your way in 2025!About episode #80...Lauren Roznowski Hayden works for Longfellow Middle School, as orchestra teacher to more than 315 students. She has been a public school teacher for over 17 years, teaching orchestra at the elementary, middle, and …

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Rachael Keplin—a versatile violist, string educator, and free improviser—for a deep dive into the world of free improvisation, mindfulness, and their transformative impact on learning to play stringed instruments.Dr. Keplin shares her unique approach to fostering creativity and connection through …

In this heartfelt episode, I reunite with three remarkable former Alpharetta High School Orchestra students—Jason Juang, Kacie Xie, and Sarang Pujari—as they share their orchestra journeys and how those experiences have shaped their collegiate years and budding careers. From concert stages to cutting-edge innovation, their stories highlight the tra…

A trailer about upcoming episodes featuring some incredible former students! You won't want to miss them!Friday, December 6 - Episode #78 with Sarang Pujari, Kaci Xie, and Jason JuangSunday, December 8 - Episode #79 with Dr. Rachael Keplin

In episode #77 of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, we are joined by Vinny Conrod, Director of Orchestras at Innovation High School in Orlando, FL, and President of the Florida chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). With years of experience teaching at both the middle and high school levels, Vinny shares his journey of opening a b…

In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, I sit down with the legendary Bob Phillips, an innovator in string education, composer, and conductor, whose work has shaped the landscape of string music education. Known for his pioneering contributions to large group pedagogy and eclectic styles for strings, Bob has written over 25 book series an…

In this 75th episode, I sit down with Tiffany Ou-Ponticelli, an award-winning music educator and director of orchestras at Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto, CA. With a career spanning multiple prestigious institutions and a wealth of experience in both orchestra and choral music, Tiffany shares her insights on what it takes to build successfu…

This short trailer podcast briefly explains why I haven't created any new episodes in a few months. Good news is that there is more to come, so stay tuned!

Nicole DeGuire is Associate Director of Orchestras at Carmel High School, Indiana ASTA President, and an avid free-lance violinist with numerous orchestras across the state of Indiana. Earning her B.M. in Violin Performance with Honors at Butler University, she went on to complete her M.M. in Violin Performance and Literature, and an Orchestral Stu…

Check out this fantastic conversation with Dr. David Miller of the University of Kentucky. Dr. Miller discusses his discovery of string teaching (as a horn player growing up), the graduate opportunities at UK, his publications and research, and the string teacher shortage! -- David Miller is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at the Universi…

An innovative music educator and accomplished musician, composer, conductor and performer, Ron Castonguay was named Director of the Arts and Music Director at The Frederick Gunn School in 2019. Ron teaches all levels of Vocal Ensemble, String Ensemble, and Concert Jazz Band as well as AP Music Theory and provides private music instruction. He is re…

Author of the book, 'Make Great Music with Ease! The Secret to Smarter Practice, Confident Performance, and Living a Happier Life', Jennifer Roig-Francolí is an international award-winning violinist, double-certified Alexander Technique teacher, and creator of The Art of Freedom® Method for conscious living and masterful artistry. Jennifer’s inspir…

This bonus episode contains a few brief, live interviews from the ASTA/SAA Conference in Louisville. March 21-22, 2024. The ASTA conference this year was absolutely fantastic! There was such a positive vibe and the energy was electric. The guests on this podcast include: Jean Lee from Michigan State University Eric McAllister from NV Dr. Mark Layco…

Ryan Silvestri is in his twelfth year at Wando High School as Director of Orchestras. A native of Boardman, Ohio, Mr. Silvestri earned a bachelor's degree in instrumental music education from Florida State University and a master's degree in violin performance from UNC-Greensboro. He is currently pursuing a doctor of music education degree from Lib…

Martha Mooke is a Grammy nominated, pioneering electric violist/composer, highly regarded for her artistry, music advocacy, and innovative educational programs. She transcends musical boundaries, enhancing classical training with extended techniques, technology and improvisation. A Yamaha Artist and Eventide’s first Artist in Residence, Mooke is a …

Ms. Billings-White is honored to be one of four the strings specialists in the Lexington Public Schools. She is currently the only itinerant teacher at the elementary schools, both middle schools and high School. Ms. Billings-White is an active director, strings teacher and performer in the Greater Boston area. She earned a Bachelors degree of Musi…

A graduate of Butler University in 2002, Heather Nieto is in her twenty-first year as a music educator. She started her career at Belzer Middle School in Lawrence Township, Indianapolis, Indiana, where she taught elementary and junior high string orchestra for eighteen years. Heather also served as the Belzer Middle School Performing Arts Departmen…

Adrian Gordon is an internationally performed composer and seasoned music educator. In addition to teaching, Mr. Gordon is a composer with Alfred Music as well as the founder of Leap Year Music Publishing, which publishes string music for elementary, middle, and high school ensembles. His compositions appear on the California, Florida, Georgia, Mar…

The Orchestra Teacher Podcast with Dr. Rachel Dirks (Ep. 64)Dr. Rachel Dirks, Director of Orchestral Studies at Kansas State University, is an active conductor, clinician, researcher, and teacher. In addition to her work with the K-State Symphony Orchestra, she teaches graduate and undergraduate string education and conducting courses, and applied …

Rosie Riquelme Antunez, Director of Orchestras at Decatur High School, received her Bachelors of Music Education degree from Georgia College and State University where she was a student of Dr. Daniel Kaplunas. Rosie received her Masters of Music Education from the University of West Georgia through their online program and continued her own violin …

Jean Lee is the Instructor and Coordinator of String Music Education at the Michigan State University College of Music. She teaches string pedagogy and string methods courses while growing the string music education program through student recruitment and retention outreach programs. Lee is well-known throughout the Midwest as an accomplished clini…

I hope everyone is having a great back to school season! I know it's a crazy busy time for everyone with assigning instruments, open house, parent meetings, and more. I'm looking to compile a back to school checklist and would love your feedback. What's on your back to school list?? Reach out to me at [email protected] and let me know yo…

The Orchestra Teacher Podcast with Anne Marie Patterson (Ep. 61)Anne Marie Patterson is the Orchestra Director at Robert Frost Middle School in Fairfax, VA. She has been a private teacher and freelance violinist in the Washington, DC area for over 25 years, and has taught all levels of school orchestra in Charles County, MD. She directed the Charle…

The Orchestra Teacher Podcast with Katie Eakes (Ep. 60)Katie Eakes is Alaskan native musician and educator. She recently completed her 17th year teaching in the Anchorage School District. She is a graduate of East High School in Anchorage and Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where she received a bachelors degree in music education. At TTU, …