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About Aleah Fitzwater

Aleah Fitzwater is a licensed music educator, private music teacher and photographer. In her spare time, she likes to arrange alternative rock and pop-punk songs for flute choir and cook French cuisine. You can find more of Aleah’s music writings at ScanScore and on her website, Aleah Fitzwater.

Five Facts About the Piccolo

Many people equate the piccolo with the flute, but the tiny higher-pitched instrument has an interesting history of its own.

The Benefits of Learning Another Instrument

By playing multiple instruments, you will broaden your musical perspective and be a better composer and arranger.

Increase Your Positivity with the 3:1 Ratio

Try the praise-to-criticism ratio to help students feel encouraged and safe in the music classroom.

5 Ways to Beat Writer’s Block

It’s exciting to teach composition, but what do you do when your students hit a creative roadblock?

5 Things You Didn’t Know About the Flute

From ancient times to the present, the flute has been found in just about every culture in the world. Here are five reasons why the flute is so popular.

Ukuleles: Why You Need Them

Introduce students to harmony instruments in elementary and middle school with the ukulele — and have a ton of fun doing it!

Video Game Music Composition: An Art Form

There are many ways to create music for video games. Find what works best for you!

Music on a Cart: Make it Work

We’ve all heard of art on a cart, but what about music on a cart? You can store and carry all you need in a cart to teach music lessons!

Side Hustles for Music Teachers

Do you need to supplement your income or an outlet for your creativity? Consider trying one of these side gigs!

How a Classical Musician Directed a Jazz Band

You don’t have to choose between classical and jazz. If you are a trained classical instrumentalist, leap into the world of jazz!

My Introduction to Orff

Exploring the social aspect of music as proposed by Carl Orff in the 1920s, opened a music educator’s eyes.

Set Up Your First-Year Flutes for Success

Help your beginning flute players with their embouchures, posture, note-bending, intentional listening and more.

Subbing Success

Being a substitute teacher requires flexibility, organization and compassion. Try these tips to succeed.

Holiday Lessons and Activities for Elementary School

Elementary students will enjoy these holiday- and winter-themed activities.

Neurodivergence and Music: My Experience

People whose brain works differently often experience sounds, including music, in unique ways.

Zen, Qi Gong and Music

During the pandemic, an initiation into the Zen Buddhist community changed a music educator’s perspective of music-making and teaching.

Elementary Music Crafts: Handmade Instruments

With a bit more planning, you can teach your elementary students how to make musical instruments out of straws, popsicle sticks, cardboard and paper plates.

5 Lesser-Known Composers and Why You Should Teach About Them

Go beyond Mozart and Beethoven and introduce your students to these five composers.

Start a Flute Choir

A specialized flute choir has incredible range and can play music that was originally composed for full orchestras, choirs or wind ensembles, which is nothing short of amazing!

5 Experimental Pieces Every Concert Band Should Play

Innovative music will teach your students unique and valuable skills, and it will excite your audience.

Dollar Store Manipulatives for Elementary Students

You can find bargains at discount retail stores that can be transformed into learning tools for your elementary music classes.

Concert Black Do’s and Don’ts

Keep these considerations in mind when deciding what your concert band will wear for concerts and competitions.

Auxiliary Instruments Every Concert Band Should Have

Many bands are performing auxiliary-heavy modern pieces, so it can be difficult for a director to choose which instruments to purchase. Here is a list of must-have auxiliary instruments.

5 Tips to Start and Run an Audition-Only Ensembles

Try your hand at forming an elite audition-only ensemble.

Navigating Vibrato on Woodwinds

Try this unconventional approach with your high school winds section to master vibrato.

5 Ways to Keep Elementary Students Engaged

Try these five lessons that will keep elementary school students motivated and excited about learning about music.

Marching Band Uniforms Do’s and Don’ts

Here are some things to think about before selecting new uniforms for your marching band.

Making the Switch: Flute to French Horn

Try this unconventional solution when you need to build your horn section: Choose your horn players from your pool of flutists.

An Instrumentalist in a Vocal World: Getting Comfortable with My Voice

An instrumental teacher landed a job at an elementary school, which required her to sing.

7 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Teaching

Learn how to deal with these seven situations, which will save time and reduce stress during your first year of teaching.

Tips to Be a More Effective Private Music Instructor

Recruit and retain students for your private lessons studio.