Billy Julius Gestiada’s Post

How do you get your target audience of music parents to respond to your content? During an interview, Vanessa Van Edwards made the point that in order to really be heard and understood, we need to make sure our words and gestures are in sync. While this is applicable only in face to face communication, there are similar strategies we can implement to be more effective in writing. For example: are you speaking directly to the problem that your potential students are facing? Do you articulate how your classes can help solve those problems? Do you provide examples to support your statements? These can be as powerful as gestures are to verbal speech. In my 5-day educational email course for parents of music students, I talk about a mindset shift that helped me to break through an obstacle I was having in playing one my favorite modern-classical pieces by Yanni. Read about it here:

“How can I represent the different cultural backgrounds of my students when there are so many cultures that they represent?” This is a question I get asked often by music educators, and I remember having this very same question myself. Culturally responsive teaching isn’t actually about representing every individual culture in every rehearsal or lesson, instead, it’s about creating learning environments and instruction that connect with learners and affirm who they are. There’s not one way this can look, and in my upcoming book, Music as a Vehicle, I specifically share ways that you can create instruction that connects with your learners without feeling overwhelmed by trying to represent every culture individually. Additionally, Music As a Vehicle provides practical strategies for navigating cultural diversity in your classroom, guiding you toward cultural proficiency in music education. With this resource, you'll feel confident knowing how to get on the path to connecting with each of your students, no matter their background. Music As a Vehicle releases on October 21st, but when you pre-order you get these amazing bonuses: 🎵A signed copy by me - hurry signed copies won’t last long! 🎵An invitation to a private virtual book release party on October 21st! 🎵An electronic copy of chapter 1 so you can get started right away 🎵Guaranteed delivery by release day on October 21st (when you pre-order by 10/1) 👉🏾Click the link to pre-order your copy today! www.MusicAsAVehicle.com Interested in buying a bulk order? Message me directly, or click the link on www.MusicAsAVehicle.com ! #MusicAsAVehicle

Don’t be afraid to share your “secret sauce,” even if you don’t feel like an expert. When I first started sharing online and launched That Music Teacher, I questioned if my experience was “enough” to really help other music teachers. I had strategies and insights that worked well in my own classroom, but putting those ideas out into the world felt daunting. I wondered if anyone would find value in what I had to say. What I’ve discovered along the way is that the “secret sauce” each of us brings to the table does make an impact. You don’t need decades of experience or the “perfect” formula to make a difference. When I took the leap and started sharing, I found a community of educators who needed just what I had to offer. Starting That Music Teacher wasn’t just about creating resources; it was about building a space where music teachers could connect, learn, and share their own insights. If you’re holding back because you don’t feel like an expert, remember this: your voice, your story, and your unique approach can create positive change for someone else. So, take the leap. Someone out there needs what you have to offer, and you don’t have to wait for permission to share it. #ThatMusicTeacher #musicteacher #teacherPD #professionaldevelopment #shareyourvoice #teachercommunity #visibilitychallenge

Why a music teacher, THIS music teacher, can pivot to corporate customer success and rock your socks: I understand recruiting and retention. Unlike grade-level classes, my enrollment wasn't based on requirements. My enrollment was based on a desire to BE THERE. Students came and stayed because they wanted to be there. Similarly, adults asked to return to community choir or musical pit band and brought their friends. There were always training sessions on recruitment and retention. This directly translates to mitigating churn and encouraging up-sales.

How can arts integration help your reluctant readers? (https://buff.ly/4dS3CNH ) That’s why you need to creatively bypass your reluctant readers’ barriers. One of the most effective ways to do this, especially for students who find reading challenging, is through arts integration—specifically by incorporating music. Music and literacy are intrinsically linked. Music teachers use many of the same teaching words that reading teachers use: phrase, fluency, expression, rhythm, intonation, and the list goes on. The difference is, music teachers have an advantage over classroom teachers because our students (essentially your students) consider our class fun. And that makes all the difference. We’re able to sneak literacy skills into our lessons organically, even for struggling readers. Here’s the best part! You can also use music in your classroom to get beyond the roadblock for students who struggle with reading. It’s easier than you think: https://buff.ly/4dS3CNH

Recognizing when you need support isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a powerful step toward growth. Knowing when and how to reach out can elevate your teaching, improve student engagement, and help you manage the profession's demands. Here are five signs it may be time to ask for help and how taking that step can help you become an even better music teacher. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/evwUE52e

How can arts integration help your reluctant readers? (https://buff.ly/4dS3CNH ) That’s why you need to creatively bypass your reluctant readers’ barriers. One of the most effective ways to do this, especially for students who find reading challenging, is through arts integration—specifically by incorporating music. Music and literacy are intrinsically linked. Music teachers use many of the same teaching words that reading teachers use: phrase, fluency, expression, rhythm, intonation, and the list goes on. The difference is, music teachers have an advantage over classroom teachers because our students (essentially your students) consider our class fun. And that makes all the difference. We’re able to sneak literacy skills into our lessons organically, even for struggling readers. Here’s the best part! You can also use music in your classroom to get beyond the roadblock for students who struggle with reading. It’s easier than you think: https://buff.ly/4dS3CNH

Does this sound familiar? You want to give your students a solid foundation in music theory but don't know where to start? You want to teach music theory but don't have time to research and create engaging teaching materials? You want to run a profitable teaching studio without burning yourself out and spending every free minute in your business? Maybe you've been teaching for a long time and you want to add in something fun and fresh for your students. Maybe you actually just want someone to tell you WHERE  to find the answers to your questions and get SUPPORT  so you can have the music teaching studio of your dreams... The #1 Ultimate Music Theory Teachers Membership Program to help you teach music theory groups with productivity and make money faster for profitability in your music teaching business. So you can start teaching NOW (instead of trying to figure everything out on your own). All for less than a cup of coffee a day https://lnkd.in/eKNgR5W

Why do you want to integrate the arts into your teaching? What are you trying to accomplish? For example, when I integrate music listening experiences into my classroom, I am teaching students as much about the music and its meaning to us as I am using music to help us write great poems and stories. Students first experience the music (one song for one week), then they are ready to use those experiences to develop their writing skills. It takes effort to truly integrate the arts into your teaching and your students’ learning. Visit our blog post "What Is True Arts Integration?" to learn simple ways to start truly integration the arts into your classroom. http://ed.gr/crxaq

Why do you want to integrate the arts into your teaching? What are you trying to accomplish? For example, when I integrate music listening experiences into my classroom, I am teaching students as much about the music and its meaning to us as I am using music to help us write great poems and stories. Students first experience the music (one song for one week), then they are ready to use those experiences to develop their writing skills. It takes effort to truly integrate the arts into your teaching and your students’ learning. Visit our blog post "What Is True Arts Integration?" to learn simple ways to start truly integration the arts into your classroom. http://ed.gr/crxaq