The Beth and Kelly Show Episode Six: Nathan Irby

We had the chance to talk with Dr. Nathan Irby, whose dissertation was focused on one of the more interesting-to-Washington-music-educators topics: “What exactly is in the water up in Seattle?,” unpacking the long-term success of Seattle and Seattle-area high school jazz band programs at the “Super Bowl of Jazz Band Competitions,” the Essentially Ellington Conpetition that Jazz @ Lincoln Center hosts yearly in NYC. Simply FASCINATING! And at times slightly uncomfortable. You know you want to listen!

We waited for more than a year to have this excellent conversation with Meghan Wagner and Erin Keeton-Howard about their collaboratively written book Women In Windband (GIA Publishing)! https://giamusic.com/resource/women-in-wind-band-book-11015 The book features narratives and thought-work of almost 30(!) femme music educators from all over and from every level. It also has SEVERAL calls to action! How do we support femme music students and teachers in our learning environments and professional circles? Read this book to find out! You’re going to want to take a listen to these outstanding professionals talk about their craft, and then head on over to GIA and pick up the book!

We talked with Tim Carey about the wonderful opportunities his org Seattle Jazz Night School creates for adults that want to plug into music making in a low-stakes, supportive environment. He said that many of their clientele are folx that “quit band” when they were in school because the environment was high-stakes and competitive (toxic). Then we pondered the question that is on all our minds: why must we believe we have to perpetuate this toxic, cutthroat environment??? What if music ed was about creating music lovers and giving students the ability to engage musically alone and with others outside the confines of the music classroom — full stop?

We were honored to present "Jazz Values: People Based Approaches to Music Teaching and Learning" to our colleagues at the Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans, LA. This is a recording of that 1/10/26 presentation. Some audience feedback is not audible. Handouts can be found at www.thebethandkellyshow.com

We met a new kindred spirit in Bryan Powell, of Music Will. This org, with Bryan’s help, is out there helping music educators learn how to musically serve the other 80% of students in schools who are *NOT* involved in typical school music offerings (band, choir, orchestra). This is a way for us to move music education forward! 

The Beth and Kelly Show kicks off Season Six! In this episode, Kelly Clingan and Beth Fortune reintroduce ourselves as the evolving music educators and music lovers that we are. We hope you take a listen and we hope you join us live Fridays at 4:00 PST for our weekly “teacher happy hour"!

Aaaaaand we’re back! The Beth and Kelly Show kicks off Season 6! In this episode, we reintroduce ourselves (as the evolving music educators and music lovers that we are). We hope you take a listen and we hope you join us Fridays at 4:00 PST for our weekly “teacher happy hour “ !

We're joined by Alma Ramos from the Music Inclusion Coalition (MIC). We share reminders that amidst the structures of patriarchy (including those that exist within music education), there are ways to help our students get past barriers. Check out MIC, and check out this episode!

Awesome to return to The Beth and Kelly Show this afternoon with our esteemed guest (and fellow Gen-Xer) Dr. Jason Noble, Music Ed professor at CUNY! The entire hour was spent “on the same wavelength” in our discussion about purposeful “approach changes” away from the “old school” in the teaching of instrumental ensembles, music education programs of learning, and entrance/ audition requirements. At the end of the hour we all agreed we could talk all night!

The Beth and Kelly Show had an awesome conversation with Bethany Robinson, Director of Jazz Activities at Purdue University! Bethany is a deeply wise music educator and professional musician who builds a humongous community of jazz lovers and players everywhere she goes. Listen in to find out why and how.