What happens when you're a student teaching mentor/ cooperating teacher and you yourself never student taught? This is high school choral director Peter Haley's situation at East Gaston High School where he uses his experience to shape the student teaching time of his students in a way he never had because his journey to public music education came after time as a full time church music minister.
Peter served as Nyi Nyi's student teaching advisor and shares how he came to teaching and ways he partnered with University supervisors to ensure he was providing effective mentorship to Nyi Nyi in order for every person in the East Gaston High School choral rehearsal to learn and grow. 


@eghschoir - Peter Haley - @pahead


Your Host, @bethphilemon
www.bethphilemon.com/choirbaton
Music by Scott Holmes

I am excited to be going back to school this year... but this time as a student. But classroom teaching has been my life for 8 years (technically 10) and reflecting to make things better is in my DNA. I can't help but think about what I would be changing if I was back in the classroom as a choir teacher this year.

You've followed along with Nyi Nyi and Lamar as they entered student teaching, now hear about their experience.


Both guys share valuable insights into their time in middle and high school classroooms, including ways in which they grew musically and as humans.


@choirbaton #morepeoplesinging


your host, @bethphilemon
music by: Scott Holmes

​If you follow ChoirBaton founder, Beth Philemon, on social media you know she has recently announced she's leaving her full time high school choral music teaching position to pursue a full time MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree this fall.


What does this mean for ChoirBaton and what led Beth to this path? Find out the scoop by listening to this week's episode of the ChoirBaton podcast.


@bethphilemon, your host
www.bethphilemon.com
www.bit.ly/ChoirBatonEmail to subscribe to ChoirBaton Emails
www.bit.ly/2019SpringLetters to subscribe to Beth's weekly letters




Music by Scott Holmes

Natalia Romero and I connected two years ago on a Facebook post I made asking if anyone was interested in being a part of a social media project that would take place on Instagram. She was the first, and only, person to respond. We began following each other on IG and several months later when I launched ChoirBaton on IG, she was one of the first baton holders! When I envisioned ChoirBaton and the relationships and learning that could take place from its collaborative nature, I envisioned a learning relationship and now friendship like that I have with Natalia. 
You must know her story. You must hear her passion for her students and educating everyone through equitable music education. You must listen to this interview. 
Originally from Colombia, Natalia Romero Arbeláez is an experienced performer, educator and musician. As an educator, she thrives in the intersection of contemporary music education and culturally relevant teaching. She is passionate about equity and musical citizenship in her classroom and performing practices.
Natalia's strength lies in her ability to connect and engage learners across all settings, although she is particularly fond of teaching teenagers. Natalia works full time as the Choir Director at Harding Senior High School (located in St. Paul, MN) but freelances around the Twin Cities as a soprano and music director with youth theaters.
Natalia is an active performer. She can be found singing with the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, and Border CrosSing, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Choir where she serves as the Treble II Lay Clark.
When not singing or teaching (which is rare!) Natalia serves on the Board of Directors for Border CrosSing and the St. Olaf College Teacher Advisory Board.
*Please note the podcast mistakenly quotes Natalia's online information* 
Her correct website and school choir Instagram handle are listed below
@natinotes | www.naromero.com 
@hardingchoir
​

Drew Fifield (he/him) shares his journey to singing with the New York City Gay Men's Chorus as the choir looks to remember and honor the events of Stonewall. The choir will premiere their Quiet No More co-commission with the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles at Carnegie Hall on September 24 in conjunction with other LGBTQ+ choruses from around the United States. When Drew is not promoting the work of the NYCGMC he leads the Learning and Development team at Industrious, a prominent co-working startup based out of New York City. 
Drew's story reminds us that every choral performance can impact a future choir singer and choirs can inspire, educate, and engage both singers and listeners.
Drew Fifield @ Industrious https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewfifield/ 
@drewfifield 
http://www.nycgmc.org/
http://www.nycgmc.org/events/2019/6/27/quiet-no-more-stonewall50


Host: Beth Philemon @baphilemon @choirbaton 
www.bethphilemon.com
www.bethphilemon.com/choirbaton
Music: Scott Holmes

Summer of 2018 I stumbled upon @whathappensinchoir on Instagram through a hashtag search of #choirdirectors. Unbeknownst to me, Kate (@whathappensinchoir) had just started this account and was not only chronicalling her choir teaching experiences but was also preparing her middle school choir for their fall performance at the Virgina State Music Educator's Conference. We bonded through this shared experience of preparing students to perform for an audience of the most discerning concert goers- our music education peers. As the days approached her choir's performance, the weather took a grim turn and snow began to fall. The Instagram choral community watched in horror as Kate went through the ups and downs of not knowing if her choir would actually get to perform. To everyone's dismay, the school district cancelled school - haulting any plans for the students to perform their carefully selected, learned, and rehearsed repertoire. In this episode Kate shares with us what that experience was like and how she and her students are continuing to work through the disappointment. Her candor and willingness to share about this experience reveals a teacher deeply passionate about the work she does for her students and the rawness and reality of disappointment. 
If you are not following Kate on IG (Instagram), be sure to do so. She is building a community of music educators passionate about music learning and integrating technology into the middle school choral experience. We discuss how influential the social media community has been to our teaching and recap the story of how we finally met in person at this year's National ACDA Convention. 
Not sure if social media is your thing? This interview will inspire you to use the internet to find friends and fellowship through platforms such as Instagram.
@whathappensinchoir
Kate Foiles


Host: Beth Philemon @baphilemon
www.bethphilemon.com


Music: Scott Holmes

This week’s episode is an interview with Matt Bishop, music teacher at the Dunecrest American School in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. A year ago Matt was an early twenties suburban middle school choir teacher, having only ever lived in North Carolina and did not even own a passport. What led him to pursue such a drastic change and why? What hurdles did he jump personally and professionally to learn, apply, and accept this position? What is teaching at an international school like, especially a school in the Middle East? How has he grown as a person and musician in the past year?
If you’ve ever wanted to know what the process for international teaching is, Matt walks us through his experience. Or, if you’ve ever felt trapped and unhappy in your current situation, Matt humbly shares his own struggles and how he took control of his life. You will be inspired by Matt’s story and come away with yet another example of how choir can change your life.
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Matthew Bishop is a lyric tenor, conductor, and teacher.  A native of North Carolina, he holds a Bachelor’s of Music in Music Education from University of North Carolina School at Greensboro.  While at UNCG, he performed as a soloist and chorister with the Schola Cantorum, University Chorale, and Chamber Singers.  He was also the first undergraduate student at UNCG to assemble a choir and program for an undergraduate conducting recital, An Evening of Choral Classics.


Upon graduation, Mr. Bishop became the Choral Director at Holly Grove Middle School in Holly Springs, North Carolina.  His students received honors such as selection for North Carolina Middle School Honors Chorus, All State and All County choirs.  Bishop was also an active member of his Professional Learning Team and served as the All County Chorus Festival Coordinator. He also served as musical director for productions such as How the Grinch Stole Christmas  and Annie Jr.  Mr. Bishop’s professional memberships include National Association of Music Education, and American Choral Director’s Association.


In August 2018, Mr. Bishop relocated to Dubai, United Arab Emirates to build the Performing Arts programs at Dunecrest American School.  He currently directs Grades 5-10 Choir and Theatre ensembles, as well as an after school Piano Lab. Mr. Bishop is excited to join The Voice Studio at American School of Dubai.
Music: Scott Holmes
Host: Beth Philemon @baphilemon www.bethphilemon.com

Dr. Shreyas Patel’s story of life and music is unlike any you’ve heard before. How do you balance a love for family with a love for making music? How you honor the sacrifices your parents have made for you while discovering who you are and who you want to be? Shreyas’ journey winds through the hallowed halls of England’s cathedrals, the path of immigration, a passion for music making instilled in a California high school classroom, and the expectation to go into the medical field. This interview will inspire you; for no matter your path to or through singing, music making can always be a part of your life.

​Shreyas Patel, bass-baritone, is on faculty at Hillsboro High School, in Nashville, TN, serving as instructional dean and coordinator of professional development and teaching International Baccalaureate (IB) Sports, Exercise and Health Science, Medical Anatomy and Physiology, and IB Biology. His educational focus has been in educational leadership and professional practice, holding a Masters in the Art of Teaching, Medicine, and a Bachelor in Biology and a Bachelor in Chemistry.
Patel is an active soloist, chorister, conductor, and musical director. With vast experience from the great Anglican choral traditions at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, to his 35th musical production, “Hairspray!”, to oratorio performances of Bach’s St. John Passion, Patel is a versatile singer and musician. He has performed nationally with professional ensembles and maintains a busy concert schedule within the greater Nashville community and the national choral circuit. Patel was also the founder and artistic director (2007-2015) of Nashville’s critically acclaimed chamber choir, Portara Ensemble, that seeks to unite various artists and genres of music in the greater Nashville community. Patel is currently a Conducting Fellow with the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra.
Shreyas currently resides in Nashville, in the historic Waverly-Belmont community. He greatly enjoys the opportunity to work with wonderful artist-colleagues and share music in a world that needs constant reminders of the incredible beauty that collaboration, community, and music-making provides for all.