NCMEA Podcast

Folks, this episode is probably one of my favorites to date. It's with Mrs. Julie Duty. She will be speaking with us at conference in a couple of weeks. Duty is the Executive Director of United Sound www.unitedsound.org. United Sound’s mission is to remove barriers and foster social change through music. This world involves special education and how we teach exceptional students. Teaching these students can be a challenge for us as instrumental music educators. United Sound has developed a way for you to use student leadership and your special education teacher to help with their goal of "To support musicians and educators to use music as a vehicle for transformative change. Working with peer mentors, teaching artists, specialists, therapists, educators, composers, performers, and industry professionals, United Sound provides training, support, organizational resources, and curriculum that leverage individual strengths to create equitable opportunities and outcomes for all.Through our own experiences, we know that the joy of learning and performing music is life-changing. We believe that all children should have access to meaningful and authentic music education and musical experiences."I thoroughly hope you enjoy this episode.

North Carolina music programs are facing difficult times ahead. North Carolina's school districts face a budget cliff—the collision of expired federal COVID relief funds, declining enrollment, rising costs, and shifting state and local revenue. In this episode, NCMEA Advocacy Committee co-chairs James Daugherty and Jeremy Tucker join host Howie Ledford to break down how we got here and, more importantly, what music educators can do about it.Topics include:Defining advocacy and why it should start well before a program is threatenedUsing enrollment data, attendance trends, and student stories to build a compelling caseInviting legislators, board members, and community members into classrooms — not just performancesWhy the December–February course registration window is make-or-break for secondary program numbersBuilding coalitions with PTOs, athletic boosters, and other alliesNew NCMEA resources, including a guide for when a program or position is threatened and talking points for administratorsNAfME's Music Education Rapid Response PlanReach the NCMEA Advocacy Committee anytime at [email protected] from show: https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardfowler/2026/08/04/americas-school-budget-crisis-isnt-ending-its-entering-a-dangerous-new-phase/

Episode 36: Mentorship, Music Publishing, and Mastering the Beat with Matt EdwardsIn this episode, we sit down with Matt Edwards. Matt is the Mentoring Committee Chair for the NCMEA. He retired in 2025 after a 29-year career as a high school band director — 23 of those years spent teaching the band program at Fuquay-Varina High School in Wake County, NC. He is also in his 13th season conducting the Triangle Youth Brass Band, a nine-time North American Brass Band Championship winner. We talk through the nuts and bolts of the mentoring program — how pairings work, who qualifies as a mentor or mentee, what a typical mentoring relationship looks like week to week, and how to sign up through the NCMEA website. Matt also shares the story of his own mentor, longtime director John Enloe, and how that relationship shaped both his teaching philosophy and his career.We also step outside the podium to explore a lesser-known path in music: Matt's role as a copy editor for a music publisher, proofreading and refining scores before they reach conductors and students — a great reminder for young musicians that careers in music extend well beyond performing and teaching.Finally, Matt walks us through his go-to rehearsal technique for building ensemble pulse and subdivision — a simple, tool-free "numbers game" he's used with all his classes.

Episode DescriptionIn this episode of the NCMEA Podcast, host Howie Ledford sits down with Professor Scott Wynne and Professor Liz May from Appalachian State University to discuss the upcoming Peak Summit.The PEAK Summit (Professionals and Educators Audio K(C)onference) is a unique event hosted by App State in collaboration with the Carolina section of the Audio Engineering Society (AES). Designed specifically for audio industry professionals and educators, the conference offers advanced, vertical training, in-depth signal-flow analysis, and hands-on workshops—including DIY gear-building sessions such as assembling microphone boosters and tube amplifiers.The guests highlight the schedule, the extensive list of high-profile industry sponsors (such as API, Solid State Logic, Shure, and DPA), and the event's educational value, including the availability of Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits for educators.Dates: July 23rd – July 26thLocation: Appalachian State University (Hayes School of Music), Boone, North CarolinaPass Options: All-access passes or individual day passes for Friday and Saturday.For more information, schedule details, and registration, visit the official page mentioned in the episode:music.appstate.edu/peaksummit

In this episode of the NCMEA Podcast, host Howie Ledford sits down with Billie Feather. She is the Commercial Guitar Professor and the Popular Music Ensembles Coordinator at UNCG. She graduated from UNCSA with a bachelor's degree in Classical Guitar and a bachelor's degree from NC Central in Jazz Guitar.  Her master’s degree is in Guitar from UNCSA with a focus on both Jazz and Classical Guitar.  She also has a professional artist certificate in Audio Engineering from UNCSA.  And to top all that off, she has bilateral hearing loss.  We go into depth on how she manages her hearing loss in her classroom, gig life, and audio engineering. If you have ever been curious about how people who are hard of hearing, then this episode chronicles her challenges and successes as a hard-of-hearing musician.

Episode Description – NCMEA Podcast with Andrew BeachIn this episode of the North Carolina Music Educators Association Podcast, host Howie Ledford sits down with Andrew Beach, Orchestra, Modern Band, and Piano teacher at Southwest Guilford High School and co-chair of the NCMEA Popular Music Committee.Andrew shares insights into the growing world of popular music education and the work of the NCMEA Popular Music Committee in supporting teachers across North Carolina. The conversation explores what a popular music program can look like in today’s classrooms, how educators can begin building programs at their own schools, and the importance of creativity, accessibility, and culturally responsive teaching in music education.Listeners will also learn about several exciting initiatives hosted by the committee, including SoundForge, the Singer-Songwriter and Music Producer Showcase, and professional development opportunities designed to help teachers bring modern band, songwriting, and music production into their curricula.Andrew also shares his own journey into popular music education, discusses the power of community among music educators, and describes one of his favorite classroom activities—“Terrible Solos,” a creative exercise designed to break down the fear of improvisation and encourage students to embrace musical risk-taking.Whether you’re a band, orchestra, chorus, or music technology teacher, this episode highlights ways that popular music education can expand opportunities for students and connect classrooms to the music students are already passionate about.

🎙️ Podcast 32 — A Conversation with NCMEA President Carolina Perez GuerreroIn this inspiring episode of the NCMEA Podcast, host Howie Ledford sits down with the newly elected NCMEA President, Carolina Perez Guerrero — a dynamic educator, conductor, performer, and leader whose journey spans continents, classrooms, and concert halls.Carolina shares her story, beginning with a childhood across Miami, Minneapolis, Tampa, and Chile before landing in North Carolina, where her love of music education took root. Today, she serves as Instructor of Music at NCSSM–Durham, directing multiple ensembles and shaping young musicians through vibrant, forward-thinking instruction.Together, Howie and Carolina dive into:Her personal and musical journey from band rooms to Duke University to NCSSMWhy she pursued the NCMEA presidency — and the organization’s deep impact on her lifeHer vision for NCMEA’s future, including:Support for small, urban, and geographically isolated music programsStrengthening the statewide mentoring programExpanding modern music offerings like digital production, popular music, and technologyIncreasing access, advocacy, and inclusive music practicesLeadership philosophy: collaboration, empowerment, and building community across all music disciplinesRepresentation and service: what it means to lead as a Latina music educatorFilled with authenticity, humor, and a deep passion for music education, this episode highlights Carolina’s heart for teachers, students, and the future of NCMEA. Whether you’re a band director, choral educator, orchestra teacher, or music production specialist, this conversation will inspire and energize you for the work ahead.

Episode Title: Meet the Candidates: A Conversation with Demeka Kimpson and Ryan EllefsenIn this special election edition of the NCMEA Podcast, host Howell “Howie” Ledford sits down with Demeka Kimpson and Ryan Ellefsen, the candidates running for President-Elect of the North Carolina Music Educators Association.Join us for an engaging, honest, and inspiring conversation as both candidates share who they are, what drives them, and their visions for the future of NCMEA. You’ll hear their thoughts on leadership, collaboration across sections, and the role of music education in a changing world.And don’t miss the fun surprise question at the end — one that gives a glimpse of the personality behind the podium!Whether you’re a long-time NCMEA member or new to the organization, this episode offers a front-row seat to the ideas and energy shaping the next generation of music-education leadership in North Carolina.🎧 Listen now — get to know the people ready to lead our state’s music education community forward!

In this episode, we have our final installment about the upcoming changes to the educational standards that the state has passed. You will want to go to the following website: ⁠http://go.ncdpi.gov/AE-Hub⁠. This is where you will find a wealth of information about the upcoming switch, webinars, information for principals, and the like. We both hope this podcast episode will make your transition easier.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Christen Blanton, director of the Old-Time Ensemble at UNC-Greensboro and Orchestra Director at Lincoln Academy in Guilford County.We explore the rich history of Old-Time music, its similarities and differences with Bluegrass, and the cultural hotspots that keep this tradition alive in North Carolina. Dr. Blanton shares how Old-Time music is taught and learned, and how its community-based, aural tradition can be powerfully integrated into modern classrooms.We also dive into the cultural significance of Old-Time music in our state, and how embracing this tradition can connect students to history, identity, and one another.This is one of my favorite interviews in the history of this podcast — I guarantee you’ll learn something new and walk away inspired.