PODCAST

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast

Debbie O"Shea

Supporting, connecting and inspiring music educators.

education courses

All Episodes

26:46

How to Build Deep Musicianship in Students with Ken...

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2026/04/12

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Ken Thompson, advanced piano coach, music educator, and founder of the Musical Arts Center of San Antonio. With decades of experience in piano teaching and music education, Ken works with high-level students while also mentoring teachers to build deep, long-term musicianship and artistry. His approach focuses on student-centered learning, helping musicians develop understanding and independence rather than chasing quick results. In this first episode, we ex...

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27:29

The Songs That Shaped Us with Kate Schirmer and Jen...

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2026/04/05

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by two remarkable musicians, educators, and collaborators — Jen Teh and Kate Schirmer. Jen and Kate both live deeply in the world of music education. They teach, mentor, conduct, and inspire musicians at many levels. At the same time, they continue to create and perform their own music, bringing years of experience from classrooms, rehearsal rooms, and stages into the work they do today. Kate Schirmer is a Lecturer in Music and Singing at the Queensland Academ...

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31:49

The Songs That Shaped Us with Kate Schirmer and Jen...

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2026/03/29

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27:37

Building Confident, Independent Students Through...

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2026/03/22

Welcome back to part two of my conversation with Nicola Cantan, piano educator and founder of Vibrant Music Teaching. In part one, we explored Nicola’s journey and her philosophy around creativity and musicianship in the piano studio. In this episode, we go deeper into practical application and teacher mindset. We unpack what it really looks like to move from “toe-dipping” into fully “swimming” with Kodály-inspired ideas in piano lessons. Nicola shares simple, manageable ways teachers can beg...

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26:49

Building Confident, Independent Students Through...

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2026/03/15

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Nicola Cantan — piano teacher, educator, author, and the creative force behind Vibrant Music Teaching. Nicola helps piano teachers move beyond traditional, note-by-note instruction and into lessons that feel playful, musical, and deeply engaging. She blends strong pedagogy with practical, studio-ready ideas that teachers can implement right away. She’s especially known for applying Kodály-inspired principles to piano teaching in a way that feels clear, acce...

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30:32

Practical Teaching Wisdom with Laura Bartolomeo (Part...

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2026/03/08

Welcome back to our conversation with Laura Bartolomeo. In part one, Laura shared her journey, her teaching philosophy, and the heart behind her work. In this next segment, we shift into practical takeaways and big-picture thinking—the kind that sticks with you long after the episode ends. This is our Nuggets of Fabulous section, where Laura shares simple ideas that create meaningful change in the music room. Small shifts. Big impact. The kind of advice every music teacher can use right away....

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35:11

Practical Teaching Wisdom with Laura Bartolomeo (Part...

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2026/03/01

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Laura Bartolomeo, a veteran elementary music teacher with nearly 40 years of classroom experience. Laura is the creator of Oodles of Music, a trusted resource for elementary music educators looking for practical, time-saving lessons. Laura focuses on Orff-inspired teaching that keeps students moving, creating, and making music together. She helps teachers plan faster, teach with confidence, and build lessons that work in real classrooms. Through Oodles of M...

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36:29

Two Books, Two Teachers with Beth Duhon (Part 2) | 174

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2026/02/22

In Part 1, Debbie and Beth shared the personal journeys behind their books. In this episode, the focus shifts to real-world impact and practical takeaways. This conversation centres on what happens after the book is written — when readers begin to change, reflect, and take action. Using the same “my turn, your turn” format, Debbie and Beth respond to three powerful questions. They share reader stories that stopped them in their tracks. They reflect on the practices that matter most. They also...

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35:12

Two Books, Two Teachers with Beth Duhon (Part 1) | 173

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2026/02/15

Today on the Crescendo Music Education Podcast, Debbie welcomes music educator, author, and wellbeing advocate Beth Duhon for Part 1 of a special two-episode series. Beth brings more than 20 years of experience teaching early childhood, elementary, and secondary music, along with private instruction. She is the creator of Self Care for the Music Educator, the host of the Happier Music Teacher Podcast, and the author of Happier Music Teacher. Listeners may also recognise Beth from episodes 83 ...

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43:17

The Musical Fitness Movement: Advocating for Music in...

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2026/02/08

Welcome back to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast. Today, we’re continuing our conversation with Ann Kay in Part 2 of this important discussion on early childhood music education. In Part 1, Ann shared the research, results, and philosophy behind daily singing and musical fitness for young learners. In this episode, we shift the focus to advocacy, collaboration, and what it really takes to create lasting change. Ann and Debbie explore how music educators, classroom teachers, therapists, a...

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35:52

A Song a Day: How Daily Singing Shapes Young Brains...

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2026/02/01

Today on the Crescendo Music Education Podcast, Debbie is joined by the inspiring Ann Kay for a rich conversation about early childhood music education, brain development, and the power of daily singing. Ann is the author of A Song a Day and Brain Prep for Pre-Readers, and her work focuses on one powerful idea: small, consistent music-making habits can create extraordinary outcomes for young children. Drawing on research and real-world results, Ann shares how daily singing supports musical de...

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26:11

Singing Without Fear: Creativity, Coaching, and...

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2026/01/25

Welcome back to the Crescendo Music Education Podcast. Today, we’re continuing our conversation with the incredible Emma Dean in Part 2 of our Crescendo Chat. In our first episode, Emma shared her journey as a musician, composer, choir leader, and creativity coach — and explored how music, community, and personal expression shape the work she does. In this episode, we go even deeper. Part 2 dives into creative confidence, advocacy, and the role music educators play in creating spaces where ev...

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34:25

Singing Without Fear: Creativity, Coaching, and...

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2026/01/18

Today on the Crescendo Music Education Podcast, we are absolutely thrilled to welcome Emma Dean. Emma is an award-winning Australian musician, composer, choir leader, and creativity coach whose work lives at the powerful intersection of music, community, and personal expression. Known for her genre-defying songwriting and compelling storytelling, Emma’s career spans performance, recording, theatre, and large-scale community singing — always with heart and purpose at the centre. She is the fou...

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59:23

Aileen and Debbie Explore “The Stalagmite Effect” | 168

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2025/12/07

Welcome back to the show! Today, Aileen sits down with Debbie O’Shea for a powerful and inspiring conversation about her brand-new book, The Stalagmite Effect. Debbie shares the story behind the metaphor, the experiences that shaped the book, and how slow, steady growth can transform both teachers and students. If you already know Debbie from her “Manipulatives in the Music Room” podcast, you’re going to love this deeper look into her thinking and the reflections that led her to write The Sta...

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28:32

How Music is Learned in Traditional Cultures with...

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2025/11/30

In this episode, we’re diving into Part 2 of my conversation with the wonderful Daria — world music performer, educator, and cultural bridge-builder who has been sharing songs and traditions from around the globe for over four decades. If you tuned into Part 1, you’ll remember we explored how music is learned in traditional cultures — how it’s woven into everyday life, passed down through families, stories, and community rituals. Today, we’re taking that conversation even further. We’ll talk ...

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37:05

How Music is Learned in Traditional Cultures with...

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2025/11/23

I’m absolutely thrilled to be joined once again by the wonderful Daria. Many of you will remember her from our earlier conversations in Episodes 138 and 139, where she shared her deep passion for world music and for teaching children through authentic, hands-on musical experiences. Today, we’re exploring a topic that I think will really strike a chord — how music is learned in traditional cultures. In many parts of the world, music isn’t something that’s formally taught — it’s something that’...

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26:10

Jessie Lloyd on Embedding Indigenous Voices in Music...

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2025/11/16

If you caught Part 1, you’ll remember Jessie as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander songwoman, composer, and cultural leader. She’s also the founder of Jessie’s Classroom and author of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Songbook. In our last episode, Jessie shared her story — from the Mission Songs Project to creating resources that help teachers embed Indigenous perspectives in music education. Her insights were powerful, practical, and full of heart. In Part 2, we’re diving even...

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22:02

Jessie Lloyd on Embedding Indigenous Voices in Music...

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2025/11/09

Today, I’m honoured to welcome Jessie Lloyd. Jessie is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander songwoman, composer, and cultural leader. She’s also the founder of Jessie’s Classroom and the author of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Songbook. Many listeners will know Jessie for her incredible work with the Mission Songs Project, which has helped bring powerful Indigenous voices and histories to life through song. Jessie is deeply respected for her advocacy in embedding Indigenous pe...

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25:36

ABC Let's Sing with Bernie Heard | 163

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2025/11/02

Today, we’re welcoming back Bernie Heard for another wonderful conversation. Bernie is the Director of the Music in Me Teacher Mentoring Program with the Australian Youth Orchestra. She leads a national team and works with education systems across Australia. Together, they help teachers bring more singing and music into classrooms every day. In this episode, we’re exploring an exciting project — ABC Let’s Sing. Bernie has played a key role in bringing this initiative to life with the ABC. It’...

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42:30

Music in Me - Teacher Mentoring Program with Bernie...

The Crescendo Music Education Podcast ·

2025/10/26

Welcome to Crescendo Chat — the podcast where we explore inspiring ideas, passionate people, and the power of music education. Today, I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Bernie Heard. Bernie is the Director of the Music in Me Teacher Mentoring Program with the Australian Youth Orchestra, where she leads a national team and works closely with state education systems to ensure primary teachers have access to mentoring, professional learning, and the resources they need to deliver high-quality m...

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The Crescendo Music Education Podcast

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