Author of the book, 'Make Great Music with Ease! The Secret to Smarter Practice, Confident Performance, and Living a Happier Life', Jennifer Roig-Francolí is an international award-winning violinist, double-certified Alexander Technique teacher, and creator of The Art of Freedom® Method for conscious living and masterful artistry.  Jennifer’s inspiring online coaching programs for musicians combine her professional experience with a life-long love of meditation and perennial wisdom, providing her students with powerful tools to overcome pain, performance anxiety, and skills limitations ..read more

This bonus episode contains a few brief, live interviews from the ASTA/SAA Conference in Louisville. March 21-22, 2024. The ASTA conference this year was absolutely fantastic! There was such a positive vibe and the energy was electric. The guests on this podcast include: Jean Lee from Michigan State University Eric McAllister from NV Dr. Mark Laycock from Wichita State University Amanda Turner from NC Erica Hefner from NC Jamie Kleinert from MI Dr. David Miller from University of Kentucky Katie LaBrie of Randall Standridge Music Dr. Karin Hendricks, incoming ASTA President Let me know what ..read more

Ryan Silvestri is in his twelfth year at Wando High School as Director of Orchestras. A native of Boardman, Ohio, Mr. Silvestri earned a bachelor's degree in instrumental music education from Florida State University and a master's degree in violin performance from UNC-Greensboro. He is currently pursuing a doctor of music education degree from Liberty University. Ryan completed his string education studies with the late Dr. Michael Allen, co-author of the Essential Elements for Strings series, as well as Dr. Rebecca MacLeod. As a violinist, Ryan has performed with the Charleston, Greensboro ..read more

Martha Mooke is a Grammy nominated, pioneering electric violist/composer, highly regarded for her artistry, music advocacy, and innovative educational programs. She transcends musical boundaries, enhancing classical training with extended techniques, technology and improvisation. A Yamaha Artist and Eventide’s first Artist in Residence, Mooke is a leading clinician on electric and multi-style string playing. She has performed with Barbra Streisand, David Bowie, Philip Glass, Elton John, Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Andrea Bocelli, Star Wars in Concert, and Tony Bennett among others. Sh ..read more

Ms. Billings-White is honored to be one of four the strings specialists in the Lexington Public Schools. She is currently the only itinerant teacher at the elementary schools, both middle schools and high School. Ms. Billings-White is an active director, strings teacher and performer in the Greater Boston area. She earned a Bachelors degree of Music in Cello Performance from McGill University and a Master's degree of Music in Cello Performance, Graduate Performance Diploma in String Performance, and a Master's degree of Music in Music Education from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Ms. Bill ..read more

A graduate of Butler University in 2002, Heather Nieto is in her twenty-first year as a music educator. She started her career at Belzer Middle School in Lawrence Township, Indianapolis, Indiana, where she taught elementary and junior high string orchestra for eighteen years. Heather also served as the Belzer Middle School Performing Arts Department Chair and Lawrence Central High School Assistant Orchestra Director. During her time in Lawrence, Heather sat on various committees including the Performing Arts Curriculum Redesign, Equity and Access Committee, and the Lawrence Township Performing ..read more

Adrian Gordon is an internationally performed composer and seasoned music educator. In addition to teaching, Mr. Gordon is a composer with Alfred Music as well as the founder of Leap Year Music Publishing, which publishes string music for elementary, middle, and high school ensembles. His compositions appear on the California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, and Texas Orchestra Association Music Performance Reading Lists. He is also the author of the book Note to Self; A Music Director’s Guide for Transitioning to a New School and Building a Thriving Music Program. Adrian received his B.A. in musi ..read more

Rosie Riquelme Antunez, Director of Orchestras at Decatur High School, received her Bachelors of Music Education degree from Georgia College and State University where she was a student of Dr. Daniel Kaplunas. Rosie received her Masters of Music Education from the University of West Georgia through their online program and continued her own violin studies with Curtis Institute Alumni, Mrs. Valerie Gardner in Winder, GA. In 2019, Rosie became a Level 1 & Level 2 Google Certified Educator. Rosie received her Specialist Degree in Instructional Technology from Kennesaw State University in May ..read more

Jean Lee is the Instructor and Coordinator of String Music Education at the Michigan State University College of Music. She teaches string pedagogy and string methods courses while growing the string music education program through student recruitment and retention outreach programs. Lee is well-known throughout the Midwest as an accomplished clinician, conductor, Suzuki violin teacher, and adjudicator. She brings nearly two decades of experience to her role within the University along with a unique skill set as an entrepreneur and brand strategist. Whether in the classroom, leading an orchest ..read more

I hope everyone is having a great back to school season! I know it's a crazy busy time for everyone with assigning instruments, open house, parent meetings, and more. I'm looking to compile a back to school checklist and would love your feedback. What's on your back to school list?? Reach out to me at charles@orchestrateacher.net and let me know your essential "to do's!" Future guests include Jean Lee from Michigan State University, Rosie Riquelme Antunez, from Decatur High School in Georgia. If you have a guest you'd like to see on the OTP or if you'd like to be on the show, please let me ..read more