The Low 2 Show

Welcome to the Thursday episode with Dr. Frank Diaz continuing with our conversation from Monday!=

In todays episode we dive into music education and what Dr. Diaz see's in a good music educator, how we can prepare our students for being a music major in college,  and how we as teachers can get out of a rut when things aren't looking so good.

If you haven't listened to Monday's episode with Dr. Diaz you can use the links below!

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-low-2-show/id1515711917?i=1000497716711

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2BnlUNi7eLSBuUuGAT0Wb0?si=RtQmZK65RF6tgoGAl0TztA

Anchor: https://anchor.fm/low2show/episodes/19--Frank-Diaz-Part-1-em6s5m

Welcome to another episode of The Low 2 Show!

My guest this week is Dr. Frank Diaz from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. (See bio below)

In today's episode, we discuss Dr. Diaz's journey as a musician, the Indiana University Music & Mind Lab, the Institute for Mindfulness, and his studies of meditation and how it relates to Music. Don't forget to download Thursday's episode where Dr. Diaz and I dive into the discussion of Music Education!

Dr. Diaz received his Ph.D. in Music Education and Orchestral Conducting, Florida State University, 2010. his M.F.A. in Instrumental Conducting, University of South Florida, 2003, and his B.M.E., Florida State University, 1998.

Frank M. Diaz is associate professor of music in music education at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. An active scholar and teacher in the field of contemplative science, he is also affiliate faculty for the IU Cognitive Science program and co-director of the IU Music and Mind Lab.

Diaz is the founder and director of the Institute for Mindfulness-Based Wellness and Pedagogy, where he collaborates with an international group of artists, educators, and scholars on disseminating research and best practices on the art of mindful living, teaching, and performance.

At Indiana University, Diaz established one of the country’s first academic courses focused on mindfulness in teaching and performing arts, and leads several mindfulness initiatives through partnerships with the Jacobs School of Music, Lifelong Learning, and the Eskenazi Museum of Art.

His research focuses on mixed-methods investigations of meditative practices and on developing theoretical models that might effectively deal with existing gaps between scientific and humanistic approaches to understanding contemplative practices.

Diaz has taught meditative practices to thousands of students through courses and workshops at educational, religious, and non-profit institutions across the United States, and his work has been featured in media outlets such as CNN, NPR, Science Daily, and The Huffington Post.

Along with his work on mindfulness, Diaz maintains an active schedule as a performer, conductor, adjudicator, and clinician.

https://music.indiana.edu/faculty/current/diaz-frank.html

In this

In todays episode Freddy Perkins and I continue our conversation and dive into what Music Therapy is, common misconceptions about Music Therapy, and how we as Music Educators can think about Music Therapy in our classrooms (WE ARE NOT THERAPISTS THOUGH!)

If you haven't listened to Monday's episode with Freddy Perkins please go back and listen to that episode too!

If you would like to contact me to be on the show, suggest a friend for the show, or just let me know how I'm doing you can send me an email to thelow2show@gmail.com or follow on Instagram and Facebook @thelow2show

Finally back with another interview!

I'm changing up the layout to the show and there will now be two episodes a week whenever I interview someone. On Monday's will be more of the biographical part of the interview where we'll get to know who I'm interviewing and then on Thursday I'll release the second half of the interview where we dive more into the topic of that week.

This week I got to catch up with a good friend of mine Freddy Perkins who is a Music Therapist! In this episode we talk about Freddy's journey through music, how he ended up becoming a Music Therapy Major at Appalachian State University, and how our biases as humans can influence our interactions with those around us.

Don't forget to tune in on Thursday for the second half of Freddy's interview!

This weeks Half Size pod talks about my favorite tool to use for theory in my classroom musictheory.net !

If you have any websites that you like to use for your classroom please share them below!

Email: thelow2show@gmail.com

Instagram/Facebook: @thelow2show

Welcome to Episode 17 of The Low 2 Show 

My guest today is Grace Law who runs the website https://smartstringteacher.com

In today's episode we talk about different strategies to use in your class that can save time and help your students be more independent! Grace has a masterclass coming up this Saturday, October 3rd that you can sign up for here!

 https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-perfect-bow-hold-and-left-hand-challenge-registration-122609531409

Greetings! Today's episode we go international! Coming to you all the way from Australia is my talk with Elsen Price!

My guest today is Elsen Price, Bassist, composer, and teacher from Australia!

Elsen won the silver award at the 2016 Interternational Independent Film Awards for soundtrack to Australian movie Dead Sunrise, has two albums out, and regularly performs throughout Australia and overseas.

Thank you all for listening and I hope you enjoy my conversation with Elsen Price

Hello everyone and welcome to Episode 15 of The Low 2 Show

My guest today is Dr. Eric Koontz, Associate Professor of Viola and Chamber Music at Appalachian State University

Dr. Koontz is a graduate of Yale University and received his Doctorate from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Dr. Koontz was the principle Viola soloist and the Assistant soloist, at the Orchestra of the City of Barcelona (Spain) from 1989-2002 as well as the principle Viola soloist Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra (2003. He has been on the faculty of the Hayes School of Music since 2005. Dr. Koontz has received the Miraflores Award in Viola Performance from the Music Academy of the West in 1981 as well as having published articles in the Spanish press in Barcelona and Madrid on orchestra musicians and musician rights along with a published article in periodical "Diàlegs" [Barcelona]

He is a member of NCMEA, ASTA, and the American Viola Society and he still performs with the Greensboro Symphony as the Associate Principal Viola and plays chamber music and recitals on campus at ASU and throughout the Southeast

Today’s episode we talk about the advantages of having multiple teachers, performing classical music outside of the US, and how orchestra teachers can best prepare our students who want to continue with music in college.

Thank you all for listening and I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Eric Koontz

Thank you for listening!

Today I have a conversation with Jennifer Frisina who is the orchestra director at Charlotte Country Day Middle School and is a veteran of the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System.

In today's episode we talk about some differences between public and private school teaching, cello technique, and how to get the most out of your students each and every day!

If you would like to contact the show please send me an email to thelow2show@gmail.com and follow on instagram and facebook @thelow2show

Hello everyone and welcome to Episode 13 of The Low 2 Show!

My guest today is Paige Berkebile, orchestra director at University Park Elementary School in Charlotte NC.

In today's episode we talk about the differences in teaching orchestras at the elementary level and the importance of getting instruments in students hands as early as possible!

Thank you all for listening, please subscribe rate and review!

This week’s episode is very special as I have two guests: Carol Earnhardt, President of NCMEA and Pat Hall, Executive Director of NCMEA.

I’m really excited for this episode, because it doesn’t matter if you teach band, choir, or orchestra, or even if you are in a different state there are many things that we talk about that can be useful to you as we begin to return to schools. I encourage everyone to reach out and join your state section of NAfME as they support us each and every day.

Thank you all for listening and I hope you enjoy my conversation with Carol Earnhardt and Pat Hall.

Hello everyone and welcome to Episode 10 of The Low 2 Show

My guest today is Dr. Adam Booker, Assistant Professor of Double Bass at Appalachian State University.

Dr. Booker and I had a great conversation and I had so many questions about his life as a military musician and Jazz that we only got through half of the interview. That being said this will be part one of a two part episode part two of his interview will come out down the road!

Thank you all for listening and I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Adam Booker

Hello everyone and welcome to Episode 8 of The Low 2 Show!

My guest today is Dr. Susan Mills, Professor and Director of Music Education for the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University.

Dr. Mills’ career is focused on the development of music education that is relevant, balanced, and inclusive of both the classical and folk music traditions. Dr. Mills has done extensive research on multicultural music education and how to incorporate that into the classroom.

In addition to multicultural music education, Dr. Mills has woven service learning and teacher education research into her career as a K-12 general and choral music specialist since 1989. She continues in her quest for quality folk music by obtaining experience for herself and her students with several master musicians from many world cultures.

Her performance career spans 30 years playing and singing American Folk, Bluegrass, Country, Reggae, Rock and Cajun music. Dr. Mills is an active clinician and guest conductor for multicultural music in many classrooms and choirs and school districts choral festivals.

Articles and chapters authored by Dr. Mills have appeared in The International Journal of Community Music, General Music Today, The Mountain Lake Reader, The International Journal of Education and the Arts, The International Journal of Music Education, The Orff Echo, Maryland Music Educator, The North Carolina Music Educator, Encyclopedia of American Folklife, Resources in Education, Musicians and Composers of the Twentieth Century, Florida Educational Leadership, and The Kodaly Society of Ontario Newsletter.

Thank you all for listening and I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dr. Susan Mills!

Remember you can get in contact with me by sending an email to thelow2show@gmail.com or following on Instagram and Facebook @thelow2show

My guest today is Erica Hefner, orchestra director at Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, NC

Erica is a national board certified teacher, the 2015 NWSA teacher of the year, recipient of the 2019 CATO excellence in teaching award and is the 2020 UNC World View Global music educator. Erica is also the camp director for ArtsPlus here in charlotte along with being a guest clinician for honors orchestra events. She is also a member of NCMEA and ASTA.

Thank you all for listening to today’s episode. I hope you enjoyed my conversation with Erica Hefner, and thank you again to Erica for being on today’s show and sharing about your journey as a music educator.

If you would like to get in contact with the show you can send me an email to thelow2show@gmail.com, follow on instagram and facebook @thelow2show

If you like what you are hearing please subscribe, rate and review the show to help more people find it!

Thank you again for listening and I’ll talk to you soon!

My guest today is Eric Thompson, orchestra director at Martin Luther King Jr Middle and Phillip O Berry High School in Charlotte, NC

Eric was a Former full-time member of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra; a soloist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra twice; performed on a live TV broadcast performance on Good Day Atlanta; 2nd Place Winner in the ASTA Solo Competition, substitute bassist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. He has received the Outstanding Music Educator Award 2019 (Youth Orchestra of Charlotte), the 2018 - 2019 Crowning Achiever of the Year (The Crown Jewels Links), and came in 3rd Place for the Sphinx Solo Competition. He is a former adjunct professor University of North Carolina at Charlotte as well as a Jan Brett and Joe Hearne Fellow at Tanglewood Music Center, Eric still performs as a  member of Union Symphony Orchestra, member of Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra.

In this episode we talk about Eric's transition from performer to educator, his role as a black orchestra teacher, and learning how to teach the violin and viola as a bassist.

If you would like to get in contact with the show you can send me an email to thelow2show@gmail.com, follow on instagram and facebook @thelow2show

If you like what you are hearing please subscribe, rate and review the show to help more people find it!

Thank you again for listening and I’ll talk to you soon!

It's hard to believe that we're already 5 episodes into this show. I can't thank you all enough for continuing to listen each week!

This week I spoke with Tom LaJoie, orchestra director at Providence High School in Charlotte, NC

Tom is a recipient of North Carolina Western Region Orchestra Teacher of the Year, Coca-Cola Outstanding Educator, he has been the chair for the Orchestra section of NCMEA, NC Honors Chair, and a host for MPA and is also a member of NAfME, ASTA. In this episode we talk about how some of Tom's students have gone on to become music teachers, the use of technology in the orchestra classroom, and how students can stay in orchestra and still get into the colleges they want to.

If you know someone who would be a good guest or you would like to get in contact with the show you can send me an email to thelow2show@gmail.com, follow on instagram and facebook @thelow2show

If you like what you are hearing please subscribe, rate and review the show to help more people find it!

Thank you again for listening and I’ll talk to you soon!

Today's episode I speak with a CMS colleague of mine, Amanda Turner!

Amanda Turner is the orchestra director at East Mecklenburg HS and Ardrey Kell  HS in Charlotte, NC.

Amanda has her Masters in Music Education, she is a National Board Certified Teacher, a Past Orchestra Chair for NCMEA, and President-Elect for NC ASTA. She has been a guest clinician for the Western Regional Repertory Orchestra (NC), Junior Eastern and Western Region Honors Orchestra (NC), and for many NC All County Orchestras as well as the South Carolina Region 1 Junior Orchestra and the UNCG Summer Music Camp.

If you know someone who could be a guest on the show or if you would like to get in contact with the show you can send me an email to thelow2show@gmail.com, or follow on instagram and facebook @thelow2show

If you like what you are hearing please subscribe, rate and review the show to help more people find it! (Also let me know if you like the new transition music added in for this episode!)

Thank you again for listening and I’ll talk to you soon!

This week I'm chatting with Alex Alberti who is the Instrumental Music Director at Longleaf School of the Arts in Raleigh, NC!

Alex is a member of NCMEA, NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants), CMS (College Music Society), and the Acappella Education Association. Along with teaching at Longleaf, Alex is the Artistic Director at Triangle Pride Band, Social Media, Marketing, and Conference Intern at The College Music Society, Front Ensemble Instructor/Arranger at Middle Creek High School, studies Nonprofit Management at UNC Greensboro, studies Master of Music Education at UNC Greensboro.

In this episode we talk about his newly adopted dog Taiko, his acapella group Triadic Vocals (links to their music below), the many hats he has worn and is wearing being the instrumental director of an entire school, and the difficulties and rewards of teaching orchestra as a non-string musician.

Thank you all for your support, remember to email thelow2show@gmail.com or follow on instagram and facebook @thelow2show to get in contact!

https://www.facebook.com/triadic.vocals/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI2heEE4HGEMpN4cBh9qnxg

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7fprXaS3JnVefeqqYnuO1m

Welcome to the first episode of The Low 2 Show

I had the pleasure of speaking to Scott Laird who is the Orchestra Director at the North Carolina School of Science and Math.

In our conversation we talk about what led Mr. Laird to his career in music education, the beginning of his teaching career, and the transition to teaching at NCSSM and the unique situation of teaching there.

We get into the importance of building relationships with students and developing a culture in the orchestra, and as a teacher the benefits of being a member of professional organizations such as NCMEA and ASTA.

If you would like to get in contact with me you can send an email to thelow2show@gmail.com and follow the show on facebook and instagram @thelow2show

Welcome to The Low 2 Show!

The arts are such an important aspect in my life, specifically music. I will be talking to all advocates for music education including; orchestra teachers, private teachers, college professors, and administrators. 

My hope for this podcast is to support music education and show how being exposed to music at a young age impacts their life.

If you would like to get in contact with me you can send an email to “thelow2show@gmail.com” or follow along on Instagram @thelow2show

If you are a string teacher and have said the words “LOW 2!”, be sure to subscribe and share with a friend!