Lifelong Learning

High school jazz ensemble rehearsal

Lead with Swing! Fostering Leadership, Collaboration, and Confidence Through Jazz Education

When teachers intentionally design rehearsal culture around these ideas, they create ensembles that don’t just play jazz—they are transformed by and through it.

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Illustration of cute cartoon birds singing

I Sing, Therefore I Am

I Sing, Therefore I Am By NAfME Member Meagan Mayne This article first appeared in the January 2026 issue of Teaching Music. Education today is often driven by performance metrics…

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four burned matches with fifth match out of line and unburnt, remaining four matches not burnt

On Finding the Rebel Match

On Finding the Rebel Match By NAfME Member Lisa Martin, Music Educators Journal Academic Editor This article first appeared in the March 2026 issue of Music Educators Journal. During the entirety of my…

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Young African American boy listens to teacher during remote learning session, demonstrating engagement through technology at home

Lessons from the Virtual Music Room

Trust, Wait Time, and Relationships That Matter By NAfME Member Dawn Firak  When people imagine an elementary music classroom, they often picture movement, laughter, instruments, and voices filling a shared…

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view from behind young boy at piano

My Children’s School System Wants to Eliminate Music Education

Making Key Changes to Advocate for a Vital Part of Every Student’s Education By NAfME Member Lori Schwartz Reichl “To be an activist is to speak. To be an advocate…

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walking trail steps in Great Smoky Mountains

Leave, Carry, Change

Leave, Carry, Change By NAfME Member Lisa Martin, Music Educators Journal Academic Editor This article first appeared in the September 2025 issue of Music Educators Journal. The way the timeline of publication works,…

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collage of treasure hunt items like a compass, journal, map, money, magnifying glass, recording device, and other items

The Treasure Hunt: Discovering Your One Word for the New Year

The Treasure Hunt Discovering Your One Word for the New Year By Rachel Clancy and NAfME Member Lori Schwartz Reichl “Life is a treasure hunt. We are all searching for…

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elementary music student sitting on classroom floor raising her hand

The Importance of Teaching Audience Etiquette

The Importance of Teaching Audience Etiquette By NAfME Member Christina Toulios As an elementary music teacher who spends a lot of time preparing students for performances, I’ve come to realize…

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Mark Reynolds directing ensemble

Q&A with Mark Reynolds, Brass Lecturer

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Staff Spotlight Q&A with Mark Reynolds, Brass Lecturer This blog is sponsored by NAfME Corporate member Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS). This article first appeared on…

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Joseph Rutkowski in band rehearsal in classroom

You Can’t Buy That

You Can’t Buy That How Invaluable Music Education Is By NAfME Member Joseph Rutkowski Three years after teaching high school band and orchestra classes for 39 years, I found a…

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