How can you design a music education program for diverse learners?

In my experience, the initial step involves understanding the student's character and goals! Crafting a creative lesson plan using interactive pedagogies, offering varied learning environments, proves beneficial. For instance, the Orff-Schulwerk approach is effective for diverse abilities and ages. Incorporating methods like Mantle of the Expert encourages imagination. Combining music classes with a forest school, including outdoor sessions, enhances the overall enjoyment of the class. I believe a music class extends beyond playing an instrument or delving into theory and history. It's about cultivating an atmosphere that imparts a sense of learning, ensuring students enjoy the process rather than adhering strictly to repertoire.

Early on, use a music & movement game to conduct a “diagnostic check” on your students. The combination of music & movement will allow you to get a handle on things like body awareness, fine/gross motor movements, sound sensitivity, behaviors and even social skills. You can use these diagnostics to then move into bigger things like lesson plan tweaking & content.

You can also go deeper. Have the students tell you specific songs they like & play it for the class. Why do they like it? Lyrics? Beat? Have them tell or write a story about why the song means what it does to them. I had a student from Columbia & she told the class she loved a song so much because it reminded her of her grandmother. I asked if she was comfortable translating the lyrics for us (they were in Spanish) & she did it. It really was a lovely moment.

I have classes with students who have speech delays or are non-verbal. I find that tactile elements are a great tool. I have them associate textures with throat or mouth sounds. Sandpaper (as an example) is a great texture to encourage throat sounds. I’ll cut strips of sandpaper into long & short pieces & arrange them in a pattern. I’ll then have the kids move their fingers along the strips & their throat sound duration will last as long. Then I’ll put a beat down & have the kids do the sandpaper/throat song with it. The best part is, it’s an inclusive exercise because the verbal kids can participate as well.

Everyone matters! Added bonus: Everyone loves music! It’s the perfect tool to include everyone & in a positive way. Use your dynamic skills as a music educator to create a dynamic & inclusive space.

The music industry is riddled with misogyny, racism, homophobia, ableism and just about every other ill ever conceived by humans who have power over other humans. The power disparity between people wishing to learn music, become musicians and the industry they're looking to join is huge. As an educator, you have to first take stock of your own prejudices when it comes to inclusivity. Be honest - none of us is free from prejudice. Then you should actually engage with rights groups, find activists in areas you're concerned with. For example, many music tech courses have hardly any women students? Why is this? How can we change it? Are there any existing programmes we can learn from? Start with teaching yourself, as in all things.