More Than Just Music: Students Reflect on Popular Music Education

Belonging, Voice, and Agency: A Conversation with Dr. David Dockan

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. David Dockan of LSU to explore how music classrooms can become spaces where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered. David brings deep insight into the role of Democratic Music Education (DME), Popular Music Education, and Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in helping students take ownership of their musical journey. Together, we dig into: * What belonging really means in a music classroom * How DME and student voice can transform the learning environment * Ways popular and culturally relevant approaches create space for students to express who they are * How teachers can reclaim their agency by staying curious, understanding their community, and adapting their practice * Practical starting points for educators who want to build more inclusive and responsive music programs This conversation is full of encouragement and actionable ideas for any teacher who wants to cultivate musical spaces that truly reflect the students in front of them. If you’d like to support the continued growth of the podcast, you can contribute here: https://gofund.me/05130db2 [https://gofund.me/05130db2]

Season 2 Premiere: Empowering Students with Dr. Shane Colquhoun: Rethinking Music Education from the Ground Up

Shane brings nearly two decades of teaching experience and deep insights into the challenges of making popular music education work in real classrooms. In this conversation, we talk about: * The “schoolification” of popular music and how to keep it authentic * Shifting from being a director to a facilitator of learning * Balancing student choice with the rigor administrators expect * Practical steps like documenting progress, goal-setting, and embracing mistakes This is an inspiring and practical conversation for educators who want to create programs where student voice drives learning without losing structure. Support the podcast and future seasons here: https://gofund.me/05130db2 [https://gofund.me/05130db2]

Season 1 Finale: What I Have Learned

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 [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.

Becoming Themselves: Music, Identity, and Growth Through PME

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.

More Than Just Music: Students Reflect on Popular Music Education

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.