Ask Me Anything

The Ask Me Anything Wall was designed to give educators and students attending The Midwest Clinic and the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) convention a space to ask questions that they might be too afraid to ask. Attendees could write their questions and hang them on the wall.

Yamaha staff would take each question and reach out to key subject-matter experts — Yamaha Performing Artists, Master Educators, “40 Under 40” educators, staff and industry partners who were also at these shows — to answer the questions.

What’s your best advice for a new educator?

1. Find a great mentor!
2. Attend conferences!
3. Hear other directors’ ensembles.
4. Record your ensemble often.
5. Give yourself grace!

— Corey Graves, a 2023 “40 Under 40” educator and Director of Bands at Tony A. Jackson Middle School in Forney, Texas

How do you start a guitar program?

“Attend a teaching guitar workshop!” — Dr. Rob Pethel, musician, educator and researcher based in Atlanta, who started a classroom guitar program in 2008

How do I approach taking the lead without stepping on senior teacher’s toes?

“It’s important to keep the senior teacher ‘valued’, so do your part to continue to move the relationship in a positive direction. From there, use your voice to add your unique approach.” — James Stephens, Director of Advocacy and Educational Resources at Music for All

How do I reassure parents and students with an unstable high school program to keep going?

1. Remain NEUTRAL with parents.
2. NEVER speak ill of others.
3. ALWAYS make the conversation about the student.
4. ALWAYS promote continued music-making in high school. Seek additional music pathways like private lessons.
5. ALWAYS visit with your administration.

— Marcia Neel, Yamaha Master Educator, Senior Director of Education for Yamaha and President of Music Education Consultants

1. Always have a music parent or representative at the school board meeting.
2. Be visible even when you are not asking for something. This builds respect, which will lead to trust with the board for future needs.

— Bob Morrison, Founder and CEO of Quadrant Research, the nation’s leading arts education research organization

How do you use technology in the classroom?

1. Find your students’ genre interests.
2. Tailor lessons within that style.
3. Use MIDI controllers and mics.
4. Let students help and have fun!

— Gillian Desmarais, a 2024 “40 Under 40” music educator and Member of the Board of Education for Technology in Music Education (TI:ME)

What are easy ways to incorporate music tech in my classroom?

“It depends on the class, grade and what you want to accomplish with tech. Tech for tech sake is never a good idea. That being said, start with whatever tech you have. Take ONE lesson and see how tech can be used by the students to show they understand the concept.” — Dr. Barbara Freedman, Teacher of Electronic Music Composition and Music Production at Greenwich High School in Connecticut and Board Member of Technology in Music Education (TI:ME)

When should you increase your fees?

“Your community will let you know, but you have to ask. Get their input, present your plans and a summary of cost with the ‘why’ and they will follow.” — Christopher Ferrell, Yamaha Performing Artist and the Supervisor of Instrumental Music for the Cobb County School District in Atlanta

What’s the difference between a vibraphone and a marimba?

“Vibes have metal bars with damper pedal. Marimbas have wood or synthetic bars.” — Joel Tetzlaff, Product Marketing Manager for Percussion and Drums at Yamaha

What resources exist to diversify repertoire easily — composer diversity and musical diversity?

“I’d suggest the Institute for Composer Diversity. It’s great for composers and styles!” — Rob Deemer, Professor and Head of Composition at the State University of New York at Fredonia and Founder of the Institute for Composer Diversity

Should I use my Julliard full ride or live my dream and go to school with an education degrees?

“First of all, many congrats on your Julliard acceptance and full ride! Impressive! I would advise you take advantage of that performance degree and then get a master’s with education with your teaching certification!” — Lamar Burkhalter, Yamaha Performing Artist and the Music Director for the NFL Houston Texans

For elementary teachers, how do you remember ALL their names?

“Meet them at the door and sing ‘roll call’ — ‘What’s your name’ and then ‘What’s his/her name?’ This works well and is quick.” — Dr. Kathleen D. Sanz, Executive Director of the Florida Music Education Association

What are the best ways to secure funding?

1. Look into state department grants.
2. Local organizations will sponsor the program.
3. Business sponsors 50/50 split with student and program.

— Matthew Martindale, a 2021 “40 Under 40” music educator and Band Director at Shelby County High School in Alabama

My program is small. Our budget is tiny. How can I build a bigger program?

“Find sources of funding BEYOND traditional arts. Look at city grants, CTE, workforce development. Find local partners to sponsor your program.” — Danielle Collins, 2022 “40 Under 40” and Director of Arts, Media and Entertainment for Inspire EDU

How do you balance family, health and life while still having a successful and competitive program?

1. Don’t worry about being competitive, be your best and it was take care of itself.
2. Take time to invest in yourself, friends and family.
3. Be an artist every day.
4. GO FOR IT!

— Richard Floyd, Yamaha Master Educator and Texas State Director of Music Emeritus
at The University of Texas at Austin

What are unique ways to recruit string students for my orchestra program?

“Have older students perform, then have them teach a member of the younger rising class an open string song.” — Dr. Rebecca MacLeod, the Daniel J. Perrino Endowed Chair in Music at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Board Member of the American String Teachers Association

“Let those recruits see you in action with your students! Show them what’s possible. High energy and fun!” — Jeffrey Grogan, Yamaha Master Educator and Professor of Conducting at Baylor University in Waco, Texas

Have you ever totaled an instrument?

“Unfortunately, yes!! I accidentally destroyed a $10,000 violin at a trade show.” — Doug Steinmetz, Director of Sales at Yamaha

Given the challenges students face today how are you fostering hope and positivity in your classroom?

“Model hope and positivity in all words and actions. Listen to student needs and make all students the center of your program. This will create a community that all will flock too.” — Anne Fennell, Western Division President of the National Association for Music Education, Advocacy in Action Committee Chair for Music for All and a retired educator

How have you broken through walls/cross through invisible red tape?

1. Don’t let anyone tell you there is something you can’t do — including yourself!
2. Just be yourself, get recognized for doing things well, do the thing despite any “barriers” (from a female high school band director who was repeatedly told she can’t).

— Charlene Cannon, a 2024 “40 Under 40” and Band Director at Horizon High School in Winter Garden, Florida

What is music to you?

“Music is a universal language. It’s entirely up to your interpretation and will help you build life-long communities. It’s a constant in life, and always there for you!” — Natalie Morrison, Senior Segment Marketing Specialist, Education and Co-Host and Co-Founder of ReVoicing the Future

How do you know when your expectations for your students are too high?

“They’re never too high!” — anonymous music educator

How do I advocate for my music program?

1. Engage your principal directly. If in middle school, have them help you give out instruments to your “newbies.”
2. Invite your principal to attend parent night to speak about what students learn in music … even beyond the notes. Provide bullet points.
3. Consider how you market your program as opposed to advocate for it!
4. Stay positive! Share the good news!

— Marcia Neel, Yamaha Master Educator, Senior Director of Education for Yamaha and
President of Music Education Consultants

Is going into music as a career a stable choice?

“Absolutely! After a 40+ year career as a band director, clinician and private teacher, I still love what I do! Plus, teacher retirement is a great program!” — Cheryl Floyd, Yamaha Master Educator and retired music educator

Why pursue music?

“You’ll know that music is right for you when you become ‘soul sick’ when you stay away too long.” — Omar Thomas, Yamaha Master Educator and Assistant Professor of Composition at The University of Texas at Austin

“Music makes the world a better place every day. Musicians of any age/love/get to share something wonderful!” — Jeff Conner, a Yamaha Performing Artist and an original member of the Boston Brass

How much does it cost to make a trumpet?

1. Time
2. The right development artist
3. Research and development
4. 3-6 years
5. Tooling to make the instrument
6. Test and evaluation with many players
7. Prototyping and refinement
8. Final vetting with other artists

— Wayne Tanabe, Senior Technical Manager at Yamaha Artist Services

How do you continue to love music having a director that doesn’t make it fun?

“You clearly love music or you wouldn’t have asked this questions! Good for you. Challenge yourself to ‘bring the joy’ to rehearsals and your music-making. Try to ‘infect’ those around you and don’t let others get you down. I admire your determination! Be a leader and example and most of all, have FUN! — Gary Lewis, Yamaha Master Educator, Director of Orchestra Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder

How do we address the voucher situation with our parents?

“Be the reason they stay! Market and brand the positive!” — Joe Clark, Band Director at La Porte High School in Indiana

Do you have a question that you would like to pose to an expert? Please send an email to educators@yamaha.com, and we will send your question to a Yamaha Master Educator, Performing Artist, “40 Under 40” music educator or one of our partners and friends in the music industry.