Demystifying Culturally Responsive Music Education

In this session, K-12 music educators will gain clarity about what culturally responsive music education is (and what it is not) by exploring the most common misconceptions and key components of the framework for Culturally Responsive Music Education as well as practical strategies for implementation.

Participants will leave the session with greater understanding about steps they can take in their own music programs and resources for further exploration allowing them to move towards cultivating affirming learning environments and designing engaging instruction that meets the diverse and ever-evolving needs of today’s learners.


Session Objectives:

  • Know 4 reasons why culturally responsive music teaching isn’t only about using diverse repertoire, so you can be clear about what exactly culturally responsive music education is

  • Understand key components of what culturally responsive music teaching consists of so you can be confident about what’s needed to have a music program provides the safety and affirmation learners need in order to engage with higher order thinking skills in music

  • Be able to start implementing 3 “starting points” in your music program next week, whether you teach kindergarten general music or high school band, so that you can immediately start working towards a music program that provides the pathways all learners need to feel valued, affirmed, and build skills that will serve them both inside and outside the classroom

Daphne Wright