Music Teacher Coffee Talk

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #197   About Paul Maley: Paul Maley is in his 15th year teaching general music and is currently at Estes Park Elementary. Paul holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education degree from the University of Northern Colorado where he also received his 3 levels of Orff Schulwerk. He received a Master’s degree in Music Education from Colorado State University with his Level III Kodaly training and Eurhythmics training. Paul has led professional development sessions for multiple districts throughout Colorado and is a regular guest presenter at UNC and CSU in their Elementary Methods courses.   Paul is the chair of the General Music Council for CMEA and is currently finishing his 7th year on the GMC council. He has presented sessions, brought ensembles to perform, and started a Thursday night folk dance night to support music teachers through the joy of movement.    Paul is a multi instrumentalist who plays professionally around Colorado ...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #196- From Solfege to Absolute Pitch...And Back Again! - 2_1_26, 3.33 PM   Main Theme: From Solfege to Absolute Pitch...and Back Again In this episode, we talk about strategies to connect solfege to absolute pitch. Pervious episodes mentioned: #24 - Why Solfege? #9 - Treble Staff Notes Names What now? Why continue teaching solfege alongside absolute pitch? Strategies Sing solfege and letter names as much as possible Staff work Relate to instruments Know Better, Do Better Inspired by Dr. Susan Brunfield, Carrie talks about finding your “guiding principles”. Work Smarter, Not Harder Tanya discusses using Voice Memos to help kids sing in canon. Coda Tanya recommends the book  The Correspondent - by Virginia Evans Carrie recommends the podcast Everyday Wellness with Dr. Tina H. Boogren

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #195: Work Smarter - Right Now! Main Theme: Work Smarter - Right Now! In this episode, we encourage you to complete some tasks in real time while listening. Each task will hopefully take 5 minutes or less and we give you some tips on how to think about completing those tasks in your own classroom. This episode is inspired by the Clear the Decks! episode from the Happier podcast. Tasks to complete: Clean up your school related playlists. Jot down five ideas for future programs/performances/concerts. Check out MTCT episode #152  or #119 for some ideas. Answer a tricky email. Choose 1 desk drawer to de-clutter. Make a list of instrument repairs and find out how to start the repair process Add a fun activity to your calendar to look forward to (personal). Make a short list of PD you want to attend this Spring and Summer. Tanya's recommendation: Joan Litman: Shadows in the Moonlight: Songs of the Middle East, A virtual book study February 5, 19, 26, 2...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #194: Deinfluencing Your Classroom Main Theme: Deinfluencing Your Classroom Carrie and Tanya discuss strategies for deinfluencing your music classroom by thinking carefully about the resources and materials you are bringing to your students and the things you are consuming as an educator. Things we mention in this podcast: American Orff Schulwerk Association (AOSA)  - check out their resource library for high-quality materials! Organization of American Kodály Educators  - look for online workshops or chapter workshops in your area Kodály Center - American Folk Song Collection  - great searchable database of folk songs for your classroom Katia Chesnok on Instagram Coda Carrie recommends the movie A Clüsterfünke Christmas Tanya recommends the book The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick   Did you enjoy this episode?  Consider buying us a coffee to thank us for our work.  Monthly Memberships are also available! Click the button bel...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #193-New Year, Same You, New Plans! Main Theme: New Year, Same You, New Plans! Things we mention in this episode: Episode #191: Live from the OAKE Western Division Mini-Conference Know Better, Do Better Tanya talks about the  history of Jingle Bells.   Work Smarter, Not Harder Carrie talks us through a new Google Slides option to record directly into your slides. Coda Carrie recommends the movie  Kill Bill   Tanya recommends the Apple TV show  Pluribus Did you enjoy this episode?  Consider buying us a coffee to thank us for our work.  Monthly Memberships are also available! Click the button below!

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #192: A Kodály Meets Dalcroze Conversation with Crystal Henricks   Main Theme: A Kodály Meets Dalcroze Conversation with Crystal Henricks Crystal Henricks currently teaches lower school music at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. Her experience includes Nursery School-12th grade general and choral music, both in Chicago and China. She holds a BS in Music Education from Asbury University, Kodály Certification and MMEd from Capital University, and is a Master Teaching Artist with the American Eurhythmics Society. She completed levels I- III Orff Schulwerk Certification from the University of Kentucky and Anderson University. She is an active clinician for workshops throughout the United States. Crystal has taught elementary music pedagogy and folk song research classes at Colorado State University, California State University Bakersfield, DePaul University, VanderCook College of Music, and the University of Central Missouri. Things we men...

Music Teacher Coffee Talk · MTCT #191- LIVE from the OAKE WD Mini Conference Main Theme: Live from the OAKE Western Division Mini-Conference This episode features a live recording from the OAKE Western Division Mini-Conference held in Denver, CO on November 7-8, 2025. Tanya and Carrie hosted a Q&A session where participants asked questions about Kodály-inspired teaching. Thank you to everyone who attended! Coming Soon: Check back later for the music educator-specific evaluation look-for's as discussed in this episode. WD Regional Rep Melissa Headrick will be leading a post-conference virtual recap on Tuesday, November 18. We'd love to see c onference attendees that want to reminisce and share about their highlights AND music educators that were unable to come to the conference but wanted to. Date and Time: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 8:30pm MST / 7:30pm PST Meeting Details:  OAKE WD Clubhouse: Where Music Still Soars - Conference Stories & Highlights  Video call l...