2024 comes to a close this week! What a ride its been. This episode features highlights of YOUR favorite episodes of the year, as well as a preview of a new Choralosophy Community blog advocating for a possibly new way of viewing “Merit” and “Rigor” in music education.

The top episode of the year was my coverage, with the brave help of Michal Dawson Connor, of the debacle that unfolded at All Saints Episcopal in Pasadena. “Excluded in the Name of Inclusion” was a difficult, but necessary conversation, and was even covered on one of the world’s biggest podcasts “Blocked and Reported.”

The next episode falls into the category of “Free PD” that you should turn in to your school district if you are a teacher. This episode built our vocabulary around concepts related to choral intonation and sound building. James Jordan helped us kick off our new GIA/Walton series with a bang! Next up, in the third spot was another show that generated a healthy amount of controversy. It stemmed from an article written in the Choral Journal advocating for the removal of Sight Singing from All State Choir assessments. I disagreed with the suggestion vehemently, and invited the author, Dr. Marshaun Hyman to join me and Dr. Chantae Pittman in a good faith discussion. Some common ground was found, but I am not sure any minds were changed.

Rounding out the top 10 episodes in terms of total listens/views was a fantastic example of the diversity of topics explored on this show. From nuanced discussions of the ways diversity impacts our music making environments, to practical ideas for music classrooms explained and demonstrated, to vocal pedagogy gems, to the adolescent boys AND girls changing voices and brain development of musicians.

• Chukwuebuka Ezeakacha on ways to make the music of Africa accessible to choirs of the West, while maintaining authenticity.
• Anita Collins of “Bigger Better Brains” with a summary of the research on neurological benefits of music learning, and why choir gets left out of that research.
• David Jones joins me to share a jam packed episode on vocal pedagogy focusing on exercises and warm ups that are helpful for beginning AND advanced singers.
• Then, a pair of episodes really climbed the download latter this fall that were generated from within my classroom. One walked the audience through the process I have developed for assessing a new music reader’s appropriate “level” for reading music alone. The other is a peak in to my choral warm ups!
• Rounding out the top 10, and I swear I am not making this up…are TWO episodes on the adolescent changing voice. Both Bridget Sweet and Martin Ashley are experts in this area and offer masterful explanations of the things we should know and consider when caring for developing young singers.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions.

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter Requests Support the Show/Bonus Materials Choralosophy Community Blog Merch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

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New Blog on Choralosophy Community!

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Below is an excerpt. Read the rest for FREE at Choralosophy.Substack.com

We don’t have to choose between rigor and accessibility, and we don’t have to choose between evaluating something as “great” or “excellent” and valuing every rung of the music making skill ladder.

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In music education, we have long embraced the belief that success hinges solely on talent and hard work. According to this view, if a student is talented and diligent, they will inevitably achieve success—whether by joining an All-State ensemble, securing a college scholarship, or pursuing a distinguished performing career. This framework, which has produced many remarkable musicians from diverse backgrounds, seems to be the ultimate formula for success.

However, this perspective has always overlooked a crucial element: luck. Factors such as geographic location, financial resources, race, gender, and access to quality instruction play a significant role in determining outcomes. While raising awareness of these disparities has gained traction in recent years, I believe we need to address an essential aspect that is often neglected.

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We must acknowledge two key truths:

1) No perfect meritocratic system exists: It is a fallacy to believe that every choir audition, or job application, or college admissions form is perfectly selecting for the “objectively” best person for each position. So, of course, this would also extend out to societal level structures. Some may simplify this phenomenon by shrugging their shoulders and saying “life isn’t fair.” There is a time and a place for this shoulder shrugging. Sometimes we have to shrug to preserve our sanity. But, in my view there is NO appropriate time for that type of disengagement from inequities to lead us to create a mythology in our minds about “the perfect meritocratic system.”

2) Merit itself, and how to measure it, is not the problem. Many argue that because not everyone has equal access to rigorous music education, we should evaluate students based on different criteria. Indeed, we lack a universal standard for what constitutes a “great” musician, and differing opinions on this can be beneficial. In fact, I would argue that it is the fact that such a question would generate multiple answers, that makes this such an important topic for educators to discuss.

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Fads like “learning styles,” “restorative justice,” “inquiry based learning” and more, versus Cognitive Load Theory, Explicit Instruction etc. Marcie Samayoa’s experience as an ESL/immigrant student has shaped her view on teaching at risk American kids.

in this episode, I’m joined by Marcie Samayoa—a dedicated chemistry teacher and passionate advocate for evidence-based education.

We tackle some of the biggest debates in modern teaching, starting with one myth we’ve all heard: learning styles. Are you a “visual learner”? An “auditory learner”? Turns out, science doesn’t back that up. Marcie and I break down why this myth still lingers and explore what actually works in the classroom, from explicit instruction to cognitive load theory.

But we don’t stop there. We dive into real struggles teachers face every day—burnout, moral injury, and the overwhelming pressure to implement new methods without proper support. Marcie shares her frustration: Why are foundational skills like cognitive load and explicit instruction self-taught instead of core training for educators?

We also discuss balancing inquiry-based learning with strong fundamentals—something that resonates in both science and music. Whether it’s balancing chemical equations or teaching a choir to sight-read, we agree: students need clear, structured guidance before they can truly explore.

Finally, we hit on a tough question: Is prioritizing social-emotional learning over academics helping or hurting our students? Marcie and I discuss how teachers can support students and stay focused on their academic success—without burning out or overstepping their roles.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions.

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter Requests Support the Show/Bonus Materials Choralosophy Community Blog Merch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

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For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

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Marcie Samayoa began her teaching journey at UCLA, where she earned a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Science Education in 2015. She started teaching as an intern in 2016 and went on to complete her teaching credential at CSUN in 2018. Currently, she is finalizing her National Board Certification while teaching high school Chemistry.

Over the course of her nine years in the classroom, Marcie has encountered many students who feel intimidated by science before they even begin. Comments like “Science is not my thing” are common among her students, and similar sentiments often arise from friends pursuing healthcare careers who claim, “I can’t be a doctor. Science is too difficult.”

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These statements resonate deeply with Marcie, as they remind her of her own struggles at UCLA. Despite spending long hours in the library, she initially faced challenges on exams. It was then that she realized hard work alone wasn’t enough—she needed to study smarter. Through research, she discovered cognitive science techniques that transformed her approach to learning. This shift not only helped her overcome academic hurdles but also earned her a spot on the Dean’s Honors List by her senior year.

Now, Marcie is passionate about helping students overcome their fear of science, guiding them toward strategies that build confidence and success in the subject.

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The “Classical” or Concert Music tradition has traditionally relied on a nobility or an institution for funding. This is a challenge in our modern world that has seen such a massive boom of popular and commercial genres, that reject this model. Where does that leave us today?

I sit down with Samuel Andreyev—a brilliant composer, educator, YouTube and Podcast host, and one of the most insightful voices on the state of music and the arts today.

We’re diving headfirst into a big question: has American pop music—jazz, blues, rock, and film scores—overshadowed classical traditions so much that icons like Leonard Bernstein could never emerge again? Samuel and I explore how the overwhelming dominance of pop culture has made it harder than ever for classical music to capture mainstream attention in the U.S., leaving it to fight for survival in niche spaces.

But that’s just the beginning. Samuel shares his fascinating journey from studying at the Paris Conservatory to becoming a French citizen and a digital content creator, where his unique insights now inspire students and composers around the world. We talk about the internet’s double-edged sword—how it creates opportunities for artists but also floods the market with distractions, making it harder than ever to stand out.

We also tackle the big challenges of music education: how to keep classical music relevant, why today’s musicians need to be as entrepreneurial as they are talented, and the dangers of relying too much on outdated institutions or academic pathways.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions.

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter Requests Support the Show/Bonus Materials Choralosophy Community Blog Merch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

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For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.

Musicworks magazine has said of Samuel Andreyev: ‘the music’s tautness conceals profound eccentricity: wild colouristic imagination and quick, perverse wit come together in dramatic shifts of hue.’ Born in Kincardine, Canada in 1981, Andreyev studied composition with Allain Gaussin and Frédéric Durieux in Paris, and rose to prominence in the 2010s when he was awarded the Henri Dutilleux Prize (for ‘Night Division’), was named artist-in-residence at the Casa de Velázquez in Madrid, and was given the opportunity to record his first portrait disc at Radio France. Since then, his chamber, orchestral, vocal and solo works have been performed, recorded and broadcast throughout the world. Major works include the violin concerto ‘Trois pierres à ne pas jeter’, written for Max Haft and Ensemble Contrechamps; the chamber orchestra piece ‘Contingency Icons’, written for the Nouvel Ensemble Moderne; and the two cantatas, Iridescent Notation (on poems by Tom Raworth) and In Glow of Like Seclusion (on poems by J. H. Prynne), written for Ukho Ensemble (Kyiv) and Ensemble Proton Bern, respectively. In addition, his music has been featured on concert tours in Canada, the USA, Mexico and Japan.

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Also a highly sought-after teacher, commentator on music and public speaker, Samuel Andreyev’s YouTube channel, which features videos about composition as well as interviews with prominent musical figures, has become a fixture of the music world, viewed by millions. In addition, he presents programs on music for BBC Radio 3.

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Andreyev has taught at the Haute Ecole de Musique de Genève, the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg and the Strasbourg Center of the University of Syracuse, and he has given masterclasses in countless conservatories and universities around the world. Constantly in demand as a teacher, he maintains a full schedule of private students. He is currently Vice-President of the Music Council of the Fondation Prince Pierre (Monaco).

Nearly all of Samuel Andreyev’s works have been commercially recorded, with four portrait discs released so far and many recordings of individual works available from various labels. A multidimensional artist, he has published several books of poetry and maintains an active practice as a photographer.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

He has made France his home since 2003 and currently lives in Strasbourg. His scores are published by Edition Impronta (Mannheim).

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One of the core functions of a choir director or vocal music educator is to teach people to love and understand their voice. This episode is the latest addition to the Choralosophy Vocal Pedagogy Suite.

Voice teacher David Jones joins me this week to discuss some tips, approaches and even some exercises and language to try in your rehearsals with singers of ALL ages. In today’s episode, we have the privilege of hearing from David, a dedicated vocal pedagogue who began his journey as a high school singer in choirs. David shares his experiences studying under renowned vocal teachers like Alan Lindquest and emphasizes the vital balance of vocal registration to avoid strain, keeping the voice healthy.

We’ll delve into the concept of “perfect attack” or coordinated onset, which is crucial for both young singers and adults. David explains how a coordinated onset leads to better breath support and control. We spend a lot of time discussing ways to help singers release tension allowing for freely legato singing.

Demonstrations and descriptions of several exercises that were new to me, had me excited to try some new ones in my class! As we discussed teaching beginning singers, David emphasized the importance of establishing good habits early on and shared his unique methods, like various tension transfer exercises.

I also really enjoyed our discussion toward the end about “technique phobia” and the concern that technical perfection often gets associated with dry or emotionless performance. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t have to!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions.

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter Requests Support the Show/Bonus Materials Choralosophy Community Blog Merch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.

David L. Jones has developed an international career as author, vocal pedagogue, and teacher of singers and teachers in Europe and the U.S., having worked as guest faculty at Universities and Conservatories. His website, and his professional Facebook page, The David Jones Voice Studio, contain articles based on the concepts of Italian School with the Swedish influence. His writing reflects common issues and concerns that answer questions for both vocal instructor and vocal student.

A graduate of Texas Christian University, Mr. Jones later continued vocal research at the University of North Texas. He has also conducted scientific research at the Groningen University Hospital (Groningen, The Netherlands) and has been guest faculty at the Laboratoire de la voix voice clinic in Paris. Through his association with the medical profession (and the vocal medical research of Dr. Barbara Mathis) he has had opportunity to learn and experience how Old World vocal concepts, frequently in conjunction with voice therapy, can be therapeutic in resolving many voice disorders. He also works with professional singers referred by laryngologist Dr. Benjamin Asher in New York.

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David L Jones studied the concepts of the Italian School with the Swedish influence with internationally known vocal pedagogue Allan R. Lindquest (1891-1984), who was a charter member of NATS and the American Academy of Teachers of Singing. It was through that study- period with Lindquest that David Jones learned the concepts of Lindquest’s teachers, who included Enrico Caruso, Mme. Haldis Ingebjard-Isene (last teacher of Kirsten Flagstad), Joseph Hislop (last teacher of Bjoerling), Maestro Rosati (teacher of Gigli) and Mme. Paola Novikova. As invited guest faculty at the Operahögskolan / Stockholm, David Jones had the opportunity to share the concepts that his teacher Allan Lindquest studied in Stockholm in 1938 and 1939.

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In 1983, Mr. Jones studied with Dixie Neill, instructor of Ben Hepner, and later with Evelyn Reynolds, whose instructors included Lola Fletcher (student of Herbert Witherspoon), tenor Hollis Arment, William Vennard, author of Singing: The Mechanism and the Technique, and Ralph Erolle, instructor of the well-known American soprano Arleen Auger.

David Jones has trained singers performing at such opera houses and festivals as the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, Berlin Staatsoper, Vienna Staatsoper, Opera North U.K., the Royal Opera House / Covent Garden, the Glyndebourne Opera Festival, Salzburg Festival, and L’Opera Bastille in Paris.

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

David Jones book, “A Modern Guide to Old World Singing” was released in September / 2017. His upcoming book, “A Modern Guide to Old World Vocalization” will be released next year.

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Nothing we do as choral singers, directors teachers, music appreciators and consumers would be possible without the “garden” that grows our young musicians in elementary school. Music as a language grows best in the early years. Let’s water the garden.

This week, Elementary general music and choir director, Chy Billings from Olathe, KS joins me in my home studio for a lively discussion about our PRIMARY constituency. The elementary school music student.

Why do we teach music to kids in elementary? The idea of a “feeder program” misses the point? We build musicianship skills in order for kids to learn to MAKE music. Builds the brain, the spirit etc. But without opportunity to put skill into practice, I fear we lose students to the belief that music learning is not a practical skill. Young kids need to perform using their skills they are learning in music that empower THEM as makers of music.

We discuss the building blocks to establishing musicality, musicianship, and music literacy in the elementary music classroom (incorporating how musicianship and literacy are addressed in Orff-Schulwerk and Kodaly-inspired lessons). We also touch the tricky topic of transfer of skills into Middle and High School ensembles. It’s tricky because it can’t really be separated from the reality of recruiting and the concept of “the feeder program.”

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions.

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter Requests Support the Show/Bonus Materials Choralosophy Community Blog Merch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.

Chy serves as the music teacher and choir director at Arbor Creek Elementary in Olathe, Kansas, as well as the assistant director of the Children’s Choir at Church of the Resurrection’s Leawood campus. Additionally, he directs the Allegro Vivo children’s choir (grades 3–6), inspiring young singers to develop their musical potential.

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Chy holds a Master’s degree in Music from Wichita State University, is certified in the Orff-Schulwerk approach, and has partial certification in Kodály. His training also includes advanced vocal studies at Bowling Green State University. In addition to his work as an educator, Chy occasionally performs with opera and musical theater companies, blending his passion for music education with real-world performance experience.

Through his diverse roles, Chy is dedicated to fostering a love of music and building strong foundations for young musicians

Great deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount! @choralosophypodca

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We have had an influx of new listeners, subscribers and Curious George’s to the show over the last week. Welcome! This program began in February of 2019, and contains some mission and values episodes from early on, but boy howdy has it grown and changed since then.

In this short episode, I will take listeners through a “what to expect and why” discussion. Over the last week, I have gotten more messages, questions, and had more conversations than ever. So, as we prepare for our 6th Anniversary this winter, this may serve as a calling card, or resource for audience members to share when you tell your friends about why you value this program, and want it to continue for another 6 years! Regular programming, guests, PD topics, composers, and so much more will continue next week!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions.

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter Requests Support the Show/Bonus Materials Choralosophy Community Blog Merch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.comGreat deals, speedy shipping, and back to school sales at SheetMusicPlus!RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount! @choralosophypodca

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I plan to keep it is short as possible. Presenting what I see as three categories of this controversy ranging from legit criticisms I need to seriously consider, to misunderstandings to things that just aren’t true. This weekend an argument or debate of sorts erupted on a post of mine on my personal FB page. “Kids from families of all political philosophies are welcome in my class. Their parents are welcome at all of our events.” I stand by this statement.

But some commenters were not not happy with it, and took the opportunity to use some pretty strong language in opposition to my message. But that argumentation has turned to some very concrete and specific accusations and criticisms. I will address the ones that are fair, and the ones that crossed a line.

In this response to Arreon Harley-Emerson of Equity Sings, I address:

• 1. The terrible racist message sent to his website on my behalf
• 2. My ill timed, and ill considered social media videos on the election.
• 3. Arreon’s choice to take screenshots of various things not said by me, plus ONE thing I said published without context, and tie these things together into one new story. This was unfair and dishonest.
• 4. My process for creating clips and quotes for show promotion, and ways I can be more sensitive in the future to guests and their needs and desires. I can get better at this.

5. My belief that Arreon has crossed a line in threatening to “out” 2700 colleagues who are members of my private FB group. This is not ok.

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The quest to advocate for music education as integral to all stages of human life, continues on Choralosophy.

I am excited to welcome Dr. Peju Simoyan, an addiction medicine physician with a fascinating musical journey. Growing up in a Nigerian diplomatic family, Dr. Simoyan has always held a passion for music, even with limited formal training, and later in life, she rekindled her desire for piano training.

Her work took an innovative turn when she began incorporating music into group sessions at an inpatient addiction facility, where it became a powerful therapeutic tool, even inspiring patients to compose songs as part of their recovery.

Together, we explore the deep connections between music, mental health, and medicine, discussing how learning and addiction share similar neural pathways, the potential of music therapy for chronic pain, and the benefits of musical training for both personal and professional development. Through our conversation, we highlight music’s profound impact on mental health and personal growth, making a case for its broader integration in both medical and educational fields. This episode offers a thoughtful exploration of how music shapes minds, heals, and inspires across disciplines.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions.

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter Requests Support the Show/Bonus Materials Choralosophy Community Blog Merch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.

Dr. Simoyan is an addiction medicine physician and holds an appointment as a full professor in the department of psychiatry at Drexel University College of Medicine. She also holds adjunct faculty positions at Penn State University College of Medicine and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. She was the Founding Medical and Executive Director of Research at Caron Treatment Centers and the program director for the addiction medicine fellowship at Geisinger Marworth prior to her current position. She was also a founding faculty member at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.

Dr. Simoyan earned her medical degree from Penn State University College of Medicine, receiving the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award at graduation. She completed an internship in psychiatry/family medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center/Western Psychiatric Institute and her family medicine residency at the Penn State/Good Samaritan Hospital Family and Community Medicine Residency program, graduating with the Family Medicine Resident Award for Scholarship.

Prior to her medical training, Dr. Simoyan received a dental degree from the University of Ibadan College of Medicine in Nigeria and a Master of Public Health degree from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is board certified in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine and has contributed to international public health education as a Fulbright specialist in Nigeria and an Erasmus Mundus scholar in France and the U.K. She has also volunteered on medical mission projects in Nigeria and Haiti.

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Dr. Simoyan has several peer-reviewed publications and has previously served on the editorial board of Medical Education Online, the Publications Council of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and the addiction medicine sub-board of the American Board of Preventive Medicine.

She was the Founding Editor in Chief of Black Diamonds and Silver Linings, literary journals published by Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and Reading Hospital, respectively.

A member of the American Medical Women Association’s Music and Medicine committee, Dr. Simoyan has curated a photographic exhibit featuring prominent women in medicine. As someone committed to bridging the gap between the medical sciences and the arts, she has served on both the research and the medical humanities Graduate Medical Education subcommittees at Reading Hospital/Tower Health.

Dr. Simoyan’s scholarships and awards include the Emerging Leader award from the Family Medicine Education Consortium (2010) and the American Association of Medical College’s Herbert Nickens Faculty Fellowship (2012). She also received the Humanism in Medicine Award from the Arnold Gold Foundation (2022) and the Award of Excellence in Humanitarian Services from Pro-Health International (2022). She is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Women’s Association and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine.

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She has combined her interests in writing and photography in several books, including a workbook for patients in recovery, Transformation and Recovery – lessons from the butterfly. Dr. Simoyan strongly believes in the need to transform education and healthcare, with a focus on creativity, problem solving and integration of the arts and sciences.

Addendum –

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

Her latest book, “I Played My Best for Him! – The Inspiring Stories Behind the Little Drummer Boy and Other Christmas Favorites” will be released on November 18, 2024. This book features the stories behind the songs on her Christmas CD,

“Peju Sings! The Little Drummer Boy and Other Christmas Favorites”

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“Filling in the Gaps,” simply refers to a premise I believe we should consider: 1. No Theory gets it all right. 2. All good theories get SOMETHING right. 3. We should be focused on filling in the gaps in Music Education

Are you an Gordon MLT devotée? A Kodály-guy? A Tonic Solfa Curwenator? How about a Takadimician? I think all of those frameworks are wrong. But also right!

In addition to these concepts, you will get a rare peak behind the scenes at creating a popular music education podcast, and why you might think you should try to make your own! But, you probably shouldn’t.

Recently, I went to share some thoughts with a meeting of the Kodaly Educators of Texas at Magnolia High School. Shout out to Thea Persinger for the invite! This is the audio AND video version of excerpts from my “Filling in the Gaps” presentation. It is based on the premise that all music education or pedagogical theories have important insights. But, of course, they all miss something. This is my attempt to fill in one of our most common music ed gaps: The Science of Reading, and how it can inform our pedagogy if COMBINED with Kodaly, Edwin Gordon, Curwen and the others.

Most popular music education theories were generated during, and draw on practices of a time when music education was almost entirely practiced on the privileged and/or kids that showed high musical aptitude at a young age. Almost any theory of music education works if you pre-select for talent in advance…

We know SO much more than we did 50 years ago about the brain and the most impactful ways to maximize its function. This presentation provides IMPORTANT context to supplement episode 219 on the importance of individual assessment, and 220 with Dr. Anita Collins, expert researcher on music and the brain.

As always, the slides to this presentation and all of my past ones, are in the shared Google folder!

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions.

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com Also, don’t forget to grab a reading rope for your classroom wall from the shop! Music Reading Rope

Clinician/Presenter Requests Support the Show/Bonus Materials Choralosophy Community Blog Merch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.

If all our choir’s problems could be fixed with “a short bullet point” or “tip” this job would be much easier.

One of the reasons I subscribe to Choralosophy is because I know that long form content with in depth analysis and demonstrations is so much more valuable than “3 easy tricks to…”

I am a professional. I do not need tricks, I need professional development, knowledge, and skills.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com

I have listened to and supported your podcast since from around its inception. You have done an amazing job growing it into what it is—a tremendous resource for those of us in the choral community. Also, I agree that disingenuous is not a word to describe you. Anyone who has listened to your podcasts would know that. Keep up the good work and thank you.

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The expectation that fellow educators will share resources (or do extra work) on demand/beyond what they’ve chosen to share has become a major problem in education social media spaces…

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RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

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The music of South Africa is not unlike its people. It is built on layers. Layers of complexity, all rich with meaning, and difficult to understand from the outside. Michael Barrett loves his country and its music. His work proves it.

I have long been a fan of Michael Barrett, as well as an admirer of the way the South African people have vigorously pursued social progress in my lifetime. So, this episode was a double whammy of excitement for me.

In this episode, I sit down with Michael Barrett, a leading voice in South African choral music, to dive into both his personal journey and professional experiences. We explore how his love for music began with his mother, a concert pianist, and his time with the Drakensberg Boys Choir, which paved the way for his academic career at the University of Pretoria. Michael reflects on the importance of hard work and dedication over talent alone, and we discuss the unique challenges facing choral music education in South Africa, from generational shifts to the lingering impact of apartheid. We also dig into the role of cultural integration and music’s power to bridge divides, including Michael’s experience with arranging African music for choirs and navigating cultural sensitivity. This conversation offers a rich blend of personal stories, insights on choral conducting, and the importance of music in fostering cultural appreciation and unity. It’s a chance to really get to know Michael and the world he navigates in choral music.

Help Tuks Get to ACDA in Dallas!!Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions.

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter Requests Support the Show/Bonus Materials Choralosophy Community Blog Merch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.

Dr Michael Joseph Barrett is the conductor of the University of Pretoria (Tuks) Camerata and a senior lecturer in Choral Conducting in the Department of Music. He was a member of the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir from 1992 to 1997. He obtained the degrees BMus in Performing Arts (cum laude) in 2005 and MMus (Performing Arts), specialising in choral conducting, in 2008, both from the University of Pretoria. He holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCE) and a Performance Licentiate in Singing, both received in 2008, from Unisa. In 2017, Michael was awarded a Doctorate of Music degree (Performing Arts) in Choral Performance by the University of Pretoria.

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com

Michael’s choirs have won numerous national and international awards, as well as choral competitions all over the world, including the Grand Prix of Nations (Latvia, 2017); the 8th World Choir Games (Latvia, 2014); the St Petersburg Choral Competition (Russia, 2013); the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (Wales, 2012); the Krakow International Advent Choral Competition (Poland, 2012); Europe and its Songs (Spain, 2010); and the International Youth Music Festival (Slovakia, 2010). In 2017, Tuks Camerata was invited to perform at the World Choral Symposium in Barcelona, Spain. The choir has released three CDs, which were all nominated for South African Music Awards. 

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Michael is an active composer and arranger whose music is published internationally by Santa Barbara Music Publishers and Walton Music. He is regularly invited to present workshops and adjudicate choral competitions both locally and abroad. He is also the executive director and co-producer of Capital Singers, South Africa’s largest community choir project. 

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Music Reading Rope

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

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One of my go to TED animations to play for students at the beginning of every year is the one that explains compellingly, the story of music as the best FULL BRAIN workout. But, Choral/Vocal education is not included in that research! The researcher behind that video, is this week’s guest. Don’t miss it.

Dr. Anita Collins joins me this week from Canberra, Australia. We had lively and informative discussion about the intersection of music education and neuroscience, as well as the connection between language and music.

Anita and I discussed the cognitive benefits of music education, emphasizing the importance of music for all students’ cognitive development, not just those interested in a music career. More importantly, we went into aspects of this topic that are often unknown to the general public, as well as music educators themselves. We also discussed the myths and misconceptions surrounding the topic, and the importance of flexibility in our profession in terms of “favorite methods.” Lastly, we discussed the potential benefits of research on how children learn through music, the importance of rhythm and beat in music education, and Anita’s organization, “Bigger Better Brains” efforts to advocate for music education, and how they can help YOU advocate in your community.

Choralosophy presented by Ludus. Visit Ludus.com/choralosophy for the cutting edge in fine arts ticketing and marketing solutions.

Tune in, and have your thinking stimulated and challenged. Then, weigh in yourself with your related ideas and experiences on Facebook in the Choralosophers group or over on choralosophy.substack.com

Clinician/Presenter Requests Support the Show/Bonus Materials Choralosophy Community Blog Merch Store!Visit Kaleidescope Today! www.sightreadingfactory.com is the best literacy tool on the market today. Enter Choralosophy at checkout to get 10% off memberships for you AND your students!

Be Sure to Find Choralosophy on TikTok!

For future rehearsal clips, find me on TikTok, Insta and FB!

Sign up for an annual membership and save over $50 by entering Choralosophy at checkout! Save 15% on monthly or annual subscriptions.

Dr. Anita Collins is a distinguished educator and author,
celebrated for her impactful work in brain development and
music education. Her seminal work, “The Music Advantage,”
offers comprehensive guidance for parents and teachers on
the role of musical learning in enhancing the developmental
stages of children across all ages.

• Bigger Better Brains – https://www.biggerbetterbrains.com.au/
• BBB+ membership – https://www.biggerbetterbrains.com.au/ongoing-learning
• Dr Anita Collins – https://www.anitacollinsmusic.com.au/
• BBB Research – https://www.biggerbetterbrains.com.au/research-updates

Enter Choralosophy at Checkout for a 5% discount when you shop for folders, robes and other gear for your choir program! www.mymusicfolders.com and www.mychoirrobes.com

She is also the founder of Bigger Better Brains, a worldwide platform dedicated to advancing the understanding of music education through neuroscience. The initiative focuses on three core missions: to educate music educators globally on the brain science underpinning music learning, to empower them to disseminate this knowledge within their communities, and to enlighten parents, school leaders, and educational policymakers about the profound benefits of music education.

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Anita’s global influence is noteworthy, particularly for her leadership in spearheading initiatives and releasing critical reports in Australia over the past five years. These efforts have markedly improved music education provision. Her influence has expanded to the UK and Ireland, where she collaborates with leading organizations to enhance the status and availability of music education for all.

@choralosophypodca

Music Reading Rope

RyanMain.com is now expanding to a family of composers! Visit endeavormusicpublishing.com and of course, enter Choralosophy at checkout for a 10% discount!

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Choralosophy Podcast (@choralosophy) • Instagram photos and videos