Dr. Cassandra Eisenreich, Associate Professor of Music Education and Flute, founded a win-win initiative at Slippery Rock University (SRU) in Pennsylvania that bridges the gap between the school and the surrounding community. SRU’s Early Childhood and Elementary Music Community Engagement program provides young children with enriching musical experiences while offering SRU students invaluable hands-on teaching practice. It creates meaningful, community-centered learning opportunities and is tailored to foster a love of music in early childhood and elementary-aged students.

Eisenreich designs and oversees the initiative that “emphasizes active participation through singing, movement, instrumental exploration and creative expression — all rooted in play-based learning and developmentally appropriate practices,” she explains. “The initiative aims to make music education accessible, engaging and culturally inclusive, ensuring that all children feel welcomed and represented.”

Under Eisenreich’s guidance, SRU music education majors plan and facilitate these community-based sessions, and they develop teaching skills, explore innovative pedagogical methods, and learn to adapt lessons to meet the diverse needs of young learners. “This hands-on experience prepares future educators to lead classrooms with confidence and creativity while emphasizing the importance of community engagement in education,” she says.

Eisenreich also collaborates with local schools, community organizations and families to build partnerships that support music education as a vital component of early childhood development. Ongoing partnerships with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Fiddlesticks Concerts, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and more, enrich the initiative’s offerings and ensure a lasting impact on the community.

Another innovative SRU program is the certificate in Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Music Education, designed to equip educators with the tools and knowledge to create inclusive, equitable and culturally responsive music classrooms. The music education faculty collectively worked on creating the certificate’s coursework, which “prepares educators to teach in ways that sustain and celebrate cultural identities, encourage social-emotional growth and reflect the dynamic realities of today’s music students,” Eisenreich says.

A cornerstone of the certificate program is Eisenreich’s Popular Music Pedagogy class. “This course empowers educators to embrace popular music as a vital element of contemporary music education,” she explains. “Students explore songwriting, production, improvisation and performance within popular music genres while developing skills in technology, such as digital audio workstations and recording software. The course also emphasizes student-centered learning strategies, encouraging educators to guide students in discovering and expressing their unique musical voices.”

Other Modern Band offerings at SRU include the Music Education for Diverse Learners: Modern Band Unit that emphasizes inclusive strategies and differentiated instruction; General Music Modern Band Teaching that integrates modern band techniques into general music classrooms; and Popular Music Ensembles that offer students the opportunity to perform in student-led groups that explore popular music styles. All provide a contemporary approach to music education, preparing students to teach popular music genres while embracing diverse learners and environments.

Eisenreich also directs the SRU Flute Ensemble that performs a diverse repertoire that spans classical to contemporary works, often highlighting global music traditions and modern genres. The Honors Flute Ensemble, which she leads, provides young flute students with advanced performance opportunities.

In addition to her work at SRU, Eisenreich is the principal flutist with the Butler County Symphony Orchestra and performs with the award-winning Beta Quartet, a chamber ensemble known for innovative and socially conscious programming.