Becoming Music-Making Music Teachers: Intersections of Music-Making and Teaching

• In Event: Diverse Approaches to Music Education Research

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive case study is to examine the phenomenon of music-making in four student music teachers’ lives by exploring the meanings of music-making in their lives and the intersections of music-making and teaching. Music-making outside the classroom was associated with wellbeing (expressive tool, stress management, and mood enhancer) and identity (reminding participants of who they were and are). Music-making inside the classroom helped form participants’ identity as music teachers, and they used it as a classroom management tool (student engagement) and a pedagogical tool (student learning). By understanding the role of music-making in their personal and professional lives, preservice music teachers may be better equipped to transition into the teaching profession.

Author

• Kristen Pellegrino, The University of Texas - San Antonio