Every music teacher knows that preparing students for a performance involves more than just mastering notes and rhythms. One of the biggest challenges some young performers face is stage fright, especially in today's increasing cultural awareness of mental health. This anxiety can hold back even the most talented musicians and performers. Teachers play a crucial role in helping students not only learn their material but also build confidence and manage nerves. This post explo

Improvisation is often seen as a spontaneous skill reserved for jazz musicians or seasoned actors. Yet, it holds a much deeper value in performing arts education. For music and theater teachers, prioritizing improvisation can transform how students engage with their craft and develop essential life skills. Despite this, many educators feel unprepared to teach improvisation effectively due to gaps in their own training. This post explores why improvisation deserves a central p

You just read the word.  Did it elicit a sense of fear, dread, the desire to ignore? No?  Are you a middle or high school band teacher that teaches jazz ensemble?  That means you have a background in improvisation and know what to do already.  

Uplevel U: Music reflects on the progress of 2025 and discusses what is next for 2026.

This post is about ways to make a music program thrive when no resources are available.

Music teachers have a responsibility to enable students to have powerful and expressive performances.

A discussion of why music students hate scales and what music teachers can do to completely change that.

Is being "tone deaf" a myth? What does this cause our students and what is a better way to handle intonation issues in students?

Are you teaching anyone to sing?  How’s theirs?  If you don’t have an immediate, definitive answer to questions 1 and 3, take a moment...

As a music teacher, one of the most powerful tools available for a single song is a lead sheet.  One of the most well-loved books in my...

The short answer is, all of it.  The next answer, more realistic, is as much as possible, as much as doable. When students interact, does...

As students progress through their grade levels in school, a lot of their thoughts are occupied with who they are spending the most time...

How many people do you know that politely dread beginner (or even middle school) orchestra concerts?   “We’re so proud of the...

Photo by Rachel Loughman  on Unsplash I have a funny story about metronomes that I often tell my students.  I had a metronome when I was...

Uplevel U: Music reflects on the progress of 2024 and discusses what is next for 2025.

Depending on how much you follow social media in the music education world, you may have stumbled across an interesting little debate...

(Anecdotal)  This article is not based on an actual research project, just years of group observation and 1:1 coaching of students...

Improvisation is one of the most difficult standards to consistently include in music and performing arts courses.  It’s easy to see why:...

How do you feel about improvisation in your music program?  Is it something you and your students embrace and practice often, or is a...

We all know that education needs some changes, some help and more funding.  These are givens and a sign that the problem has other...