127. Practical Orchestra Teaching & PD in Your Pocket with Angela Ammerman

Orchestra Teaching, PD in Your Pocket & Practical
Music Education | Angela Ammerman | Episode 127





In this episode of The Orchestra Teacher
Podcast, Dr. Charles Laux sits down with Angela
Ammerman—music education professor at the
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, author,
guest conductor, and creator of the viral “PD in Your
Pocket” series for music educators.





Angela shares her journey back to higher education, her work
building a Master’s degree in Music Education for
Practicing Educators, and how she supports orchestra and
string teachers through practical, classroom-ready strategies.
This conversation is packed with ideas you can use immediately,
whether you teach elementary strings, middle school orchestra,
high school orchestra, or collegiate music education.





Topics covered include:


• Practical professional development for music teachers


• Movement, breathing, and body awareness in string teaching


• Recruitment and retention strategies for orchestra programs


• Teaching English Language Learners in music classrooms


• Reducing teacher talk to improve student musicianship


• Empowering students to become confident, independent musicians


• Using social media and short-form video for music teacher PD


• Building access to music education in rural and underserved
areas





About Angela Ammerman


Angela Ammerman is a music education professor at UT Knoxville,
director of the UTK String Project, and author of The Music
Teacher’s Guide book series. She is a frequent clinician and
guest conductor and connects with thousands of educators through
her Instagram account @musicteachersguide.





Listen to Episode 127 of The Orchestra Teacher
Podcast for inspiration, practical strategies, and
encouragement for orchestra teachers at every stage of their
careers.





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