I don’t think we’re in New York anymore... Welcome to Prague! Four of our sophomores are currently studying abroad at the NYU Prague campus. Don’t forget to keep CZECH-ing us out if you want to keep updated on their adventures abroad! Ahoj!👋🏼 (at Old Town Square Praque Czech Republic)

What an awesome program meeting!! Today we had some alumns from the NYU Music Education grad program perform on traditional Chinese instruments and teach us about traditional Chinese music. Here we have Cantata Fan on the Pipa, Yang Wang on the Erhu, and Jiaoyue Lyu on the Guqin and the Zhu. This Zhu is the only exiting Zhu in the United States and one of two Zhu’s outside of China!! This was a very educational and exciting meeting, and the performers even got to let us try out some of the instruments. We can’t wait to take some of this knowledge into the classroom ________________ #musiced #worldmusic #nyumusiced #smenyu #music #erhu #guqin #zhu #nyumusic #nyu #traditionalchinesemusic #china

It’s been a very inspiring, informative, and educational weekend. Thank you NYSSMA for hosting us and thank you to all of the Music Educators that make this conference as great as it is☺️🎶___________________________ #nyssma #musiceducators #nafme #nafmecollegiate #nyu #nyumusiced #musiced #mpap #smenyu (at Rochester, New York)

“I think my favorite part of the conference was a workshop on increasing the self-efficacy of students in the music classroom. The clinician defined musical self-efficacy as how we view our own voice and it is something teacher’s often forget about. There are so many people who never believe they can sing because maybe someone once told them that or maybe their voice doesn’t sound like what they have decided is “good”. Part of a music teacher’s job is helping students find their voice and reminding them that they really can sing because every voice is different and has something to offer. ”- Clare Marks (‘20), USG Representative of SMENYU (at Vassar College)

“My favorite part of the conference was Louise O’Hanlon’s interest session, “Promoting Compassion and Empathy through the Performance of World Music.” In this workshop, we got to sing through multiple pieces from different cultures and contexts, and she showed us a video of her students talking about the pieces and what they learned from them. The impact the music had on the students was amazing— many of them talked about how they were able to understand the cultures better through the music, and overcome any biases they might have had before singing the pieces. In middle school, I had a choir teacher who also loved giving us world music because she found it to be exciting. It became the norm to do pieces in different languages and I think students were very accepting of this as years went on (as they should be!). I know many people who only sang pop and musical theater songs in choir growing up, and never got to experience singing in other languages or singing about other cultures. If more teachers bring in world music for their choirs, I think students will be receptive to this and become very accepting of differences as they were in my middle school. I plan to use this in my own classroom and help educate students and audiences through the music that we sing. Hopefully, I can help them overcome any biases they might have and teach them to celebrate differences of cultures different than their own” - Juliana Dueñas (‘20) (at Poughkeepsie , New York)

This weekend, Music Education students, Juliana and Clare, got to travel up to the New York division of the American Choral Directors Association Conference at Vassar College. They got to meet with other college students studying Music Education, take part in choral directing workshops and readings, and take home some free choir music provided by JW Pepper. It was a really great opportunity for learning, growing, and networking. Stay tuned to find out what they have to say about their experiences at NY-ACDA! _______________________ #musiced #smenyu #acda #nyacda #vassar #conference #choir #choralconducting #studentconductors (at Vassar College Department of Music)

SMENYU goes to... Smorgasburg!!! We had a great time taking a break from midterm study sessions to eat good food and bond with each other. Can’t wait for the next one! _________________ #smenyu #smorgasburg #musiced #break #midterms

based off multiple personal experiences

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We're so happy to welcome the future Music Educators of NYU!!! It's been a very exciting day and we are so excited to see our new students grow as musicians and educators. It's going to be a great year! #musiced #classof2021 #smenyu #music #steinhardt #2021 (at NYU Music Education)

#Repost @nyusteinhardt ・・・ "There's something about Washington Square Park (#wsp), especially when the weather is nice, that you can't find anywhere else. It's so lively— there's #music everywhere, performers, artists, and just a ton of interesting people! My friends and I love coming here to hang out, walk through, study, and just enjoy the energy of the park." - Juliana Dueñas, #MusicEducation New Student Orientation Leader #Steinhardt2021 #nyusteinhardtbound (at NYU Music Education)

Congratulations to the Class of 2017!!!!!💜💜💜💜 We can't believe we have to say goodbye to our seniors! Congrats on officially becoming NYU Alumni and best of luck in your endeavors! #musiceducation2017 #nyu2017 #nyugrad #nyualmuni #steinhardt2017 #musiceducation #nyu💜 (at New York University)

We breathed a sigh of relief when we found out they'd be sticking around for the choir program (some of us burst into tears), but I'd like to acknowledge the inspiring work of Ira and Nancy Shankman before they leave the music education program behind. This iconic couple dominated the program after years of working in the NYC public school system. Nancy was the director of music for all of New York City... but Ira was a PRINCIPAL ;) These two promote an open door policy, lending their ears to the tears and fears of each student. They are role model musicians and educators. I have doubted myself as a music educator almost everyday, and their constant support has kept me longing for success in this field. This department owes everything to these paragons of music education, and though we must bid them farewell, they will forever remain in our hearts (and on our Facebook posts). <3 -Hanna Samawi ’18

"Ever since I walked into Mrs. Caravano's choir rehearsal in sixth grade, I knew I wanted to be a music teacher. I don't think there was a single person who didn't love Mrs. Caravano's charisma, passion and general love for her students. She transformed a music program that had less than 30 middle school students in choir, to a 200+ student powerhouse. She got students—even those who hated going to music class in elementary school—excited about singing! We would voluntarily come to school an hour before class 2-3 times a week to rehearse. She encouraged everyone to audition for County, Regional Choir, and All-State Choir—which is what introduced me to my passion for choir conducting— and even stayed after school to help people practice for the audition. She has worked diligently with her students, and with the other music teachers and staff, to help make music an important part middle school. In turn, she has helped create a really amazing school climate. I was so lucky to have been in Mrs. Caravano's classroom, and to have such a great mentor to reach out to even years later. I will never forget how much of an influence she had in my decision to pursue Music Education. More importantly, I aspire to have her positive and selfless attitude towards music and teaching. I hope to inspire students the way she has inspired me and so many of my friends back home" -Juliana Dueñas '20 (at Student Music Educators of NYU)

"I came into NYU this fall with hardly any private-lesson teacher experience. When the department first told me they would just "assign" me to a teacher, I felt a little wary that we wouldn't click. But little did I know, Paul (Professor Speiser, I guess) would be perfect for me! He has always made me feel comfortable in our lessons, and most of all always confident in myself. One of the most wonderful aspects of our lessons is that he always makes sure to explain his directions not only in a "vocal" way but also through the standpoint of an educator's thinking. This means that in every lesson, I get a dose of both personal vocal training AND vocal pedagogy pointers! He has brought to life a place in my voice that is quote: "still Kristen, just a little more present," and I am so thoroughly happy with how much I have grown this past year. Thank you, Paul, for being my voice teacher... and therapist... sometimes... you make me feel like a musician and future educator!" -Kristen Burnette '20 (at Student Music Educators of NYU)