In this episode, David speaks with Eric Songer, Music Educator in Chaska, MN!

Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own ensembles.

Watch this episode with video: https://youtube.com/live/9-3cy58wDzQ?feature=share

This special episode is the last of a 4-part series of podcasts recorded on-site in June 2026 at the Sweetwater Director Academy at the Bands of America Summer Camp, presented by Yamaha.

In this episode, David speaks with three people who speak to the wonderful culture, past, present, and future, of the Bands of America Summer Camp: Jeff Young, Former Director of Camps at Music for All; Brandon Dittgen, Band Director at Milford Exempted Village Schools; and Kelsey Synnett, Director of Student Programs at Music for All. Listen in as they discuss why programs like the Sweetwater Director Academy, along with the student tracks at camp, are a worthwhile way for band directors and students to spend a week of their summer!

Join David Duarte each week as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own ensembles.

Please join us back for regularly scheduled Sunday evening LIVE episodes, beginning this coming Sunday, August 9!

Watch this episode with video: https://youtu.be/IbDSKYl6ttg

This special episode is the third of a 4-part series of podcasts recorded on-site in June 2026 at the Sweetwater Director Academy at the Bands of America Summer Camp, presented by Yamaha.

In this episode, David speaks with Kevin Sucher, Director of Bands at Taylor H.S., OH; and Jonathan Schnicke, Director of Bands at Kent City H.S. and M.S., MI. Listen in as they discuss finding balance in their careers, keeping their programs relationship-centric, and encouraging students to be lifelong musicians.

Join David Duarte each week as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own ensembles.

Please join us back for regularly scheduled Sunday evening LIVE episodes, beginning this coming Sunday, August 9!

Watch this episode with video: https://youtu.be/DKQMx9dswhY

This special episode is the second of a 4-part series of podcasts recorded on-site in June 2026 at the Sweetwater Director Academy at the Bands of America Summer Camp, presented by Yamaha.

In this episode, David speaks with Rhameek Nelson, Director of Bands at North Forest H.S., TX; and Luke Walker, Director of Bands at Indian River H.S., VA. Listen in as they discuss recruitment, building a program, and the importance of trust and community in these processes.

Join David Duarte each week as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own ensembles.

Please join us back for regularly scheduled Sunday evening LIVE episodes, beginning this coming Sunday, August 9!

Watch this episode with video: https://youtu.be/QwN2MEIBO_k

This special episode is the first of a 4-part series of podcasts recorded on-site in June 2026 at the Sweetwater Director Academy at the Bands of America Summer Camp, presented by Yamaha.

In this episode, David speaks with Adam Burdett, Band Director at Pittston Area H.S., PA; and Elizabeth Van Hook, Band Director at Alexandria-Monroe Jr./Sr. H.S., IN. Listen in as they discuss teaching at a smaller school, the importance of mindset for music educators, and how student leadership plays a role in their band programs.

Join David Duarte each week as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own ensembles.

Please join us back for regularly scheduled Sunday evening LIVE episodes, beginning this coming Sunday, August 9!

Watch this episode with video: https://youtu.be/oa1VyUsyx1U

This episode of The Heart of Teaching Music features two members of the Board of Directors of Pride Bands Alliance: President Marek Szeszycki and DEIAB Director Patrice Mustaafaa. Pride Bands Alliance is an international network of over 40 LGBTQ+ and allied member and partner organizations dedicated to creating spaces where people can live their truth out loud through music, visibility, and pride. They talk about music as a vehicle for community and belonging, their own musical journeys, and leadership in community ensembles.

Without people, there is no music. Join hosts Julia Baumanis and Scott Edgar as they explore the heart of teaching music. Each week, they sit down with inspiring leaders in music and music education to share stories of identity, belonging, and making a difference through music.

Together, they uncover how music education nurtures growth—not just musically, but socially and emotionally. With engaging conversations, diverse voices, and opportunities for listeners to ask questions, this podcast invites music educators to embrace life-skill development and discover the power of Music for ALL.

This episode is sponsored by GIA Publications. Learn more about GIA’s music education offerings, including Julia and Scott’s personal favorites, here: giamusic.com/hotm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Are you interested in joining a Pride Bands Alliance member band? Find a local partner here: https://www.pridebands.org/our-members/member-directory/.

Follow the Pride Bands Alliance on social media: https://linktr.ee/pridebandsalliance.

The Heart of Teaching Music is going on summer hiatus. Thanks for listening, and we will see you on August 27!

This episode of The Heart of Teaching Music features Bob Morrison, CEO of Quadrant Research and founder of Music for All. They chat about Bob’s career journey through music business and advocacy, exploring topics like equity of access to music education, the importance of data in advocacy, and how humans have been teaching music since very early times.

Check out Bob’s Substack for his recent articles surrounding threats to music education and the long history of music as a subject in formal and informal education: substack.com/@bobmorrison.

Without people, there is no music. Join hosts Julia Baumanis and Scott Edgar as they explore the heart of teaching music. Each week, they sit down with inspiring leaders in music and music education to share stories of identity, belonging, and making a difference through music.

Together, they uncover how music education nurtures growth—not just musically, but socially and emotionally. With engaging conversations, diverse voices, and opportunities for listeners to ask questions, this podcast invites music educators to embrace life-skill development and discover the power of Music for ALL.

This episode is sponsored by GIA Publications. Learn more about GIA’s music education offerings, including Julia and Scott’s personal favorites, here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠giamusic.com/hotm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

For more information on how you can get involved as an advocate for music education, particularly at the state level and in your local community, check out musiciseducation.org.

This episode of The Heart of Teaching Music features George Quinlan, Jr., Treasurer of The Midwest Clinic, Trustee of the VanderCook College of Music, and member of the NAMM Foundation’s Music Achievement Council. Informed by his and his family’s decades of experience in the field of scholastic instrumental music, George talks about the history of band and orchestra in American schools. Plus, the three discuss the development of young educators, the importance of music as part of a well-rounded K-12 education, and the many options for careers in the music industry beyond education and performance.

Without people, there is no music. Join hosts Julia Baumanis and Scott Edgar as they explore the heart of teaching music. Each week, they sit down with inspiring leaders in music and music education to share stories of identity, belonging, and making a difference through music.

Together, they uncover how music education nurtures growth—not just musically, but socially and emotionally. With engaging conversations, diverse voices, and opportunities for listeners to ask questions, this podcast invites music educators to embrace life-skill development and discover the power of Music for ALL.

This episode is sponsored by GIA Publications. Learn more about GIA’s music education offerings, including Julia and Scott’s personal favorites, here: giamusic.com/hotm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Learn more about what a career in the music industry can look like at careers.namm.org. Or learn how you can support aspiring and in-service music teachers at teachmusic.org.