I would like to encourage my fellow music educators to apply to be a CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence. Here is the link to apply. cmafoundation.org/music-teachers…. Feel free to reach out with questions about the process. This has been one of the highlights of my career.

Had a blast directing at the UW-Milwaukee Middle School Honor Band festival this weekend!

One of my favorite activities with students is having them write the blues. Letting them find a topic that makes them sad, mad, scared or frustrated and then writing about it is not only educational but therapeutic.

It’s great being a music teacher. We get to see the world in a way that many never will. It’s a great view.

Garage bands learning songs by No Doubt, Cranberries and an original by our very own Brielle! Love finishing the week with these rock stars. Community Education CMSW PRMS Band PRM Trailblazers @112CMSE E Carver Co Schools

A New Year is always a great opportunity to have a new attitude with renewed optimism and to have a fresh start. Be kind, caring and loving to others. May 2024 be filled with blessings.

So honored to be on Mindy Van Dyke Peterson’s podcast Enhance Life Through Music. Check it out here! mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/episod…

Really excited to announce that I will be presenting at the APME National Conference in Los Angeles in June! Also excited that we met this past week about forming an APME regional chapter and to discuss ways we can network and share ideas about popular music education.

This Friday night at 7:30 pm at Chaska Middle School West, we celebrate our 20th year of student rock bands. Five bands take the stage in the concert called Rock-It! named after the mag I wrote as a kid about 80s music. Free admission. Childhood cancer cure free-will donations.

Rock-It! Concert January 26, 2024 E Carver Co Schools Community Education CMSW PRMS Band

We live in a world of perception over reality. It’s hitting very close to home for me right now. I’m battling it every day. It’s unfortunate. It doesn’t have to be this way.

What an incredible night of music at Tuttles in Hopkins with the garage bands Monday night. Community Education PRMS Band

An amazing night of rock and roll at the Pioneer Ridge Showcase night as we put a bow on our 20th winter season of garage band. So proud of these wonderful kids! They truly are rock stars. Community Education PRMS Band CMSW PRM Trailblazers @112CMSE E Carver Co Schools

Congrats to these alumni on a great garage band performance at the State Music Education conference today. Quite an honor! Cool to work with MMEA president Adrian Davis!

Bonus lessons are the best. Our students have an opportunity to learn ukulele, drum set and much more outside of the traditional band instruments in our music program!

The CMA Foundation is one of the most amazing organizations you’ll ever come across. They truly understand the importance of music education. If you are a music educator, consider applying to be a Music Teacher of Excellence. cmafoundation.org/music-teachers…

Don’t let barriers put up around you by others prevent you from achieving greatness. You know better and deserve better. And so do those that you will inspire.

Check out the latest episode of Scott Prescott and my podcast Pop Life as we celebrate the 40-year anniversary of the best year of popular music ever, 1984. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pop…

It's truly magical that out music staff not only gives the gift of music to thousands of students every day but also comes together to honor two of our own, Gina Ford & Jean Lindquist, and to provide a night of music for you this Tuesday at 7 pm at Chanhassen High School E Carver Co Schools

Sometimes the odds are stacked so high against you that your best choice is to get out and find a new direction. And you need to realize that this is actually success…and happiness.