In this special episode of Beyond The Stand, I wrap up Season 1 by sharing major announcements and key takeaways from my capstone project journey.

Announcements:

• My Master’s degree is officially complete – thank you for all your support!

• This episode marks the end of Season 1, which is also the completion of my capstone project.

• Planning for Season 2 is already underway (and one interview is recorded!).

• I’ll be taking a short break to settle into the school year before launching Season 2.

• I’ve launched a GoFundMe to help with production costs, technology, site management, and marketing for Season 2. You can support here: https://gofund.me/05130db2

What I’ve Learned:

1. I’m not alone – There’s a growing network of educators teaching popular and commercial music.

2. It’s both/and – We can grow traditional programs by adding popular music education, not replacing them.

3. Student voice matters – Involving students from the start is the first, practical step to building a successful PME program.

Season 2 will focus more on practical strategies and tools educators can use right away. Please share this podcast so more teachers can join the conversation and find the confidence to teach popular music in their own programs.

In Part 2 of my conversation with students Brody Watson and Audrey Priddy, we move beyond what happens in the classroom and into the deeper impact of Popular Music Education on their lives.

We talk about:
How music helped them find identity, confidence, and creative freedom
The overlap between music, theater, and visual art
What they think school music programs often miss—and how to make space for more students
Why this kind of learning might just be the future of music education

This episode is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do and what students are capable of when we listen, trust, and give them room to lead.

What does Popular Music Education actually feel like for the students living it every day?

In this episode, I’m joined by two of my students: Brody Watson, a guitarist and drummer who’s been with the program all four years, and Audrey Priddy, a pianist and artist who joined more recently with a strong background in visual art and theater.

Together, we talk about:
Why PME felt different from other classes and why it clicked
How creativity, collaboration, and freedom have shaped their growth
What makes a class “rigorous” from a student’s perspective
How music became a space of belonging, identity, and discovery

If you’ve ever wondered what students really think about this model of music education, Brody and Audrey bring honest, thoughtful insight into how popular music can change a classroom...and maybe a life.

What if popular music didn’t compete with traditional band, it made it stronger?

In this episode, I speak with Michael Parsons, a high school band director who teaches both traditional ensemble and popular music. Far from replacing one with the other, Michael shares how Modern Band helped bring more students into his program, sparked creativity, and even strengthened his traditional groups.

We talk about:
How popular music education supports recruitment and retention
Why students benefit from learning both notation and ear-based skills
How teaching PME made him a more flexible and connected educator
What it looks like to build a unified program with space for multiple musical paths

Michael’s story offers a powerful reminder that music education isn’t either/or...it’s better when it’s both.

What does it really feel like to teach popular music today?

In this episode, I’m joined by Michael Parsons, Steven Potaczek, and Theo Metz, three educators who are actively shaping how popular music is taught in real classrooms. Together, we talk candidly about the day-to-day challenges, the professional shifts, and the unexpected moments of joy that come from teaching outside the traditional mold.

We discuss:
What it means to redefine your role as a music educator
Why student ownership and teacher humility go hand-in-hand
How popular music changes classroom dynamics—for better and for real
What advice they’d give to any teacher stepping into this space for the first time

This episode is a raw, encouraging, and reflective look at what it means to teach music today; one chord, one kid, and one honest conversation at a time.

So you believe in popular music education, but how do you actually do it?

In this episode, I’m joined again by Dr. Steve Holley and Dr. Chris Burns to explore the practical side of PME: what it looks like in the classroom, what support teachers need, and how to build meaningful programs from the ground up.

We discuss:
Where to start if you're new to Modern Band
What a PME curriculum can include (beyond just playing pop songs)
How to assess creativity, collaboration, and musical growth
How to shift school culture and gain support for new ideas

Whether you're launching your first popular music class or refining a growing program, this episode offers encouragement, clarity, and actionable ideas from two of the field’s most thoughtful practitioners.

Why does popular music belong in the classroom?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Steve Holley (President of APME) and Dr. Chris Burns, two nationally respected voices in music education. Together, we explore the deeper reasons behind integrating popular music into school programs.

We discuss:
How PME creates access and equity for students often left out of traditional ensembles
The role of identity, self-expression, and musical relevance
Why student voice must be central to our teaching
How reframing rigor can open doors—not lower expectations

This episode is about more than music—it’s about who we teach, how we reach them, and why expanding our definition of music education matters now more than ever.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Alexis Yatuzis-Derryberry and Joel Denton, we shift from the philosophy behind popular music in the classroom to the real-world support teachers need to implement it well.

We talk about:
The professional development gap for teachers new to Modern Band
What school leaders can do to support innovation
How to expand your program without losing your roots
Encouragement for teachers feeling uncertain about the shift

Whether you're just beginning to explore popular music education or leading a full-fledged program, this episode offers insight, empathy, and next steps from two experienced voices in the field.