14 episodes

Female music teachers of color discussing the realities of life and aiming to break the “norm” in education. Our mission is contributing a different voice in topics such as music, education, faith, and multiculturalism.

Coloring the Melody Darlene and Nora

    • Education
    • 4.9 • 17 Ratings

Female music teachers of color discussing the realities of life and aiming to break the “norm” in education. Our mission is contributing a different voice in topics such as music, education, faith, and multiculturalism.

    Finding Identity and Healing Through Music (Part 2) with Jon Seligman - S02E07

    Finding Identity and Healing Through Music (Part 2) with Jon Seligman - S02E07

    In this episode with Jon Seligman, Nora and Darlene discuss grief, safety in classrooms, and vulnerability. 

    Jonathan Seligman has been teaching choir, band, ukulele, and general music for TK-6th grade at Casillas Elementary for 6 years, creating a new music community from the ground up. Academically, Seligman has received his B.Mus in Music Composition and a MA in Teaching from Point Loma Nazarene University. He has furthered his learning, being trained in ways of Feierabend and being fully Orff-Schulwerk certified. Seligman is also the co-founder of the CVE Collaborative Concert, an annual event that brings students from around Chula Vista to play music together in celebration rather than competition. Seligman’s mission in all his groups is to teach beyond music literacy and discipline. While they are vital, his goal first and foremost is for students to be in tune with their musical expression.

    You can find Jonathan on the following social media platforms:

    Twitter and Instagram: @mrseligman

    Chaotic Harmony Podcast: https://www.chaoticharmonyclassroom.com

    Twitter and Instagram: @CHClasroom

    On Music and Grief: Using Song to Help a Community in Trauma: https://acemm.org/2021/01/on-music-and-grief-using-song-to-help-a-community-in-trauma/ 

    Forecast Episode 2: https://www.foreshadowmagazine.com/magazine/forecast-ep-2-blessed-are-those-who-mourn

    • 26 min
    Finding Identity and Healing Through Music (Part 1) with Jon Seligman - S02E06

    Finding Identity and Healing Through Music (Part 1) with Jon Seligman - S02E06

    In this episode, Nora and Darlene interview Jonathan Seligman and talk about music programs, representation and buzzwords. This is part one of two of the conversation.

    Jonathan Seligman has been teaching choir, band, ukulele, and general music for TK-6th grade at Casillas Elementary for 6 years, creating a new music community from the ground up. Academically, Seligman has received his B.Mus in Music Composition and a MA in Teaching from Point Loma Nazarene University. He has furthered his learning, being trained in ways of Feierabend and being fully Orff-Schulwerk certified. Seligman is also the co-founder of the CVE Collaborative Concert, an annual event that brings students from around Chula Vista to play music together in celebration rather than competition. Seligman’s mission in all his groups is to teach beyond music literacy and discipline. While they are vital, his goal first and foremost is for students to be in tune with their musical expression.

    You can find Jonathan on the following social media platforms:

    Twitter and Instagram: @mrseligman

    Chaotic Harmony Podcast: https://www.chaoticharmonyclassroom.com

    Twitter and Instagram: @CHClasroom

    Steve Giddings: @StevesMusicRoom

    “Songs of the Sun” by Tiffany Barry: https://www.beatinpathpublications.com/TBarry/home.html

    • 55 min
    Creating A Safe Space with Katie Norregaard - S02E05

    Creating A Safe Space with Katie Norregaard - S02E05

    In this episode, Darlene and Nora get to know Katie Norregaard and have a conversation on her work as a teaching artist for children’s music online.

    Katie Norregaard, better known as @misskatiesings on Instagram and TikTok, is a songwriter, music teacher, and filmmaker based in Chicago, Illinois. Her work in creating songs and videos for children online have spread throughout the internet. Through her music, she promotes social-emotional learning, tenderness, and justice. In addition to content creation, Katie teaches virtual music classes to children across the United States.

    You can find her on Instagram, Youtube, and Tiktok. 

    Instagram: @misskatiesings

    TikTok: @misskatiesings

    YouTube: Miss Katie Sings

    Website: https://www.misskatiesings.com/

    • 45 min
    Lifting As We Climb with Franklin Willis - S02E04

    Lifting As We Climb with Franklin Willis - S02E04

    Franklin Willis is an African American educator, leader, children's book author, mentor, songwriter, and scholar. He graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Music Education, emphasizing in Choral Music. He also earned the Master of Education Degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Belmont University. Most recently, Willis completed the Education Specialist Degree with an emphasis in Instructional Leadership from Tennessee Technological University.

    As an Elementary Music Coach, he equips teachers with instructional support and necessary resources to strengthen their professional acumen and enhance their classrooms. ​He consistently collaborates with colleagues, community organizations, local businesses, colleges, and universities. He also is passionate to advocate for the importance of music education in schools and develop a curriculum that will lead to students' higher engagement. Through his work, Willis has received national recognition for his commitment to student learning, passion for the profession, and innovative teaching practices. He is a three-time recipient of the CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence Award.

    To learn more about Franklin’s work as a music educator, check out the following platforms:

    Instagram: @fwillismusic

    Website: www.fwillismusic.com

    Clothing Company: www.princerhythmcompany.com

    • 48 min
    Inclusivity - Music for All with Anabel Pauline - S02E03

    Inclusivity - Music for All with Anabel Pauline - S02E03

    Anabel Pauline is a Colombian, Mexican-American singer, high school choral director, and scholar. She graduated from Cal State University Fullerton with a Bachelor of Music in music Education with Choral Emphasis.

    Anabel has been a choral director for 5 years. She is a first-generation graduate in her family. Anabel is passionate about inclusivity and advocacy. We are so excited to have her here today to share her passions in creating new ways of helping our communities. 

    You can find her on Instagram and YouTube @shapinghumans.

    Resources

    Book: For White Folks who teach in the Hood & the rest of y’all too: Reality Pedagogy and Urban Education (Dr. Christopher Emdin)

    Instagram: @imterencelester

    UDL: https://udlguidelines.cast.org/

    Website: https://shapinghumans.weebly.com/ 

    Instagram: @shapinghumans

    YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqJg9k9csw1LyP0nxqLh8JQ

    • 38 min
    Activism and Representation Beyond February with Alice Tsui - S02E02

    Activism and Representation Beyond February with Alice Tsui - S02E02

    Our first guest on the Coloring the Melody podcast is Alice Tsui! In this episode, Darlene and Alice discuss seeing ourselves in music education, doing better in featuring people of color throughout the school year, and authentically moving beyond the month of February when celebrating Lunar New Year and Black History Month. 

    Alice Tsui is an Asian American/Chinese American pianist, music educator, scholar, activist and lifelong Brooklyn, New Yorker. She graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Master of Arts in Music Education, and is currently a doctoral candidate (ABD) in music education at Boston University.

    Alice is the founding music teacher at P.S. 532 New Bridges Elementary, an arts-integrated public elementary school in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and is on the piano faculty at the Manhattan School of Music Summer program. Alice is a contributor and moderator for Decolonizing the Music Room. As a product of the NYC public school system, Alice is passionate about decolonizing, anti-racist, abolitionist public music education and empowering the individual and collective voices of youth through music as expression.

    To learn more about Alice’s work as a music educator, check out the following platforms:

    Website: www.musicwithmissalice.com & www.alicetsui.com

    Instagram: @musicwithmissalice

    Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/ps532newbridges

    Alice’s resources mentioned in the episode: 

    Fung Bros: “Lunar New Year” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kITSHko2sHc

    Gong Xi: https://www.carnegiehall.org/Education/Programs/Musical-Explorers/Digital/Program-Six/Qian-Yi/Lesson-2

    Xue Hua Piao Piao Lesson: https://yoyochinese.com/blog/learn-viral-chinese-song-xue-hua-piao-piao-eggman-mandarin

    Harold Simmons: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFgf5B_YL5m9w5gdrBxXxZw

    Elena Moon Park: https://www.elenamoonpark.com/

    Soul Science Lab: https://www.soulsciencelab.com/

    Kanneh-Mason Family: http://www.kannehmasons.com/

    Two Set Violin: https://www.twosetviolin.com/

    Black Violin: https://blackviolin.net/

    The String Queens: https://thestringqueens.com/

    Keedron Bryant: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJvR2QWXfYBeov-7Y-Fw2Fw

    Alan Z: https://www.instagram.com/alanzmusic/

    All of the artists with Carnegie Hall’s Musical Explorers program: https://www.carnegiehall.org/Education/Programs/Musical-Explorers

    Role Model - Alicia Keys: https://www.youtube.com/user/aliciakeys

    • 48 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
17 Ratings

17 Ratings

Stunning Vocals! ,

Learning so much

I absolutely love this podcast. It is challenging so much of what I learned in a conservatory setting in college and I’m so grateful for the knowledge so I can support my students in a way that’s best for THEM. Incredibly grateful for this valuable information!

Lashishona ,

LOVE IT!

Awesome podcast ladies! Both of you seem very driven, ambitious, intelligent and warm. Love the interspective conversations. Can’t wait for the next episode 🙌🏽

Johanna Moon ,

All in one shop

The name of the podcast is absolutely clever, they also start off every podcast with a little game which makes it extra fun. Two friends with music focused careers speak on issues that minorities often face with colorism. It’s hard to believe that this may be their first podcast given how well the message was delivered. I know many will resonate with the topics so I hope it gets the listens and support it deserves. 💕🌸

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