logo
episode-header-image
Jun 4
32m 43s

189 | How to Make Music Class More Acces...

Bryson Tarbet, M.M.Ed.
About this episode

In this episode of That Music Podcast, Bryson sits down with David Bedard—educator, preschool teacher, and longtime advocate for inclusive music education. You may remember David from his energetic presentation at the Elementary Music Summit, and in today’s conversation, he brings that same heart and insight to a discussion centered on accessibility in the music classroom.

Together, David and Bryson explore the barriers students face in traditional music education, the importance of student agency, and how educators can begin to shift their mindset toward more inclusive, empowering practices. David shares how his work at Daniel’s Music Foundation and as a preschool teacher continually reinforces the transformative power of music, no matter a person’s age or ability.

You’ll leave this episode inspired and equipped with new perspectives to serve all learners in your classroom better.

This conversation is just the beginning! David will be leading a masterclass inside That Music Teacher Community, where he’ll go even deeper into strategies for accessible and inclusive music teaching.

Episode Chapters:

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 5:08 The Biggest Barriers Students Face in Traditional Music Education
  • 9:32 What Sparked David’s Passion for Accessibility in the Music Classroom
  • 13:19 Small Shifts, Big Impact: Creating a More Inclusive Environment
  • 18:26 Practical Ways to Adapt Music Activities for Students with Disabilities
  • 23:18 Debunking Common Myths About Accessibility in Music Education 
  • 27:56 A Sneak Peek at David’s Masterclass for That Music Teacher Community
  • 31:39 Takeaways 

Links and Resources: 

Have questions or want to share feedback? Reach out to us at hello@thatmusicteacher.com - we’d love to hear from you!

Up next
Jun 25
192 | Season 6 Finale: Wrapping Up & Looking Ahead
In this season finale of That Music Podcast, Bryson reflects on the journey of the show from its early days to now, sharing his excitement for what’s ahead in Season 7. He highlights how the podcast has grown alongside his transition out of the classroom and how the addition of Y ... Show More
5m 34s
Jun 18
191 | The Free PD Event Music Teachers Love: The Elementary Music Summit® Returns!
The Elementary Music Summit® is back for its fourth summer, offering five days of content-specific professional development tailored for elementary music teachers. Bryson shares all the exciting details about this year’s event, happening July 7–11, including 28 expert speakers, l ... Show More
5m 35s
Jun 11
190 | How to Advocate for Better Professional Development As An Elementary Music Teacher
Not all PD is created equal—and if you’ve ever sat through a session on a math curriculum you don’t teach, you already know that. In this episode, Bryson breaks down why content-specific professional development is a must for music teachers and how to start advocating for it in y ... Show More
12m 43s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2024
62. Practical Tips for Thriving in the Classroom
We are so excited to share this special replay episode of Ashleigh’s interview on The Teacher Approved Podcast with Emily and Heidi! We had a great conversation about supporting new teachers and how veteran educators can play a key role in helping them thrive. In this conversatio ... Show More
31m 11s
Dec 2024
Tips for Newbie ESL/EFL Teachers
Send us a textIn this episode, Jackie and Jennifer are sharing their top tips for newbie English teachers. Some of the tips include professional development, letting bad classes go, how to make a simple ESL lesson plan and more. You're sure to find some useful things to take ... Show More
22m 45s
Apr 2023
EP275 What does it mean to “bring the best version of yourself” to the classroom? (with Elena Aguilar)
Who you ARE matters just as much as what you DO. How can you show up as the best version of yourself each day, not only for students, but in every aspect of life? I’m talking today with Elena Aguilar, a writer, leader, teacher, coach and the author of seven highly acclaimed books ... Show More
39m 55s
Nov 2023
[Episode 80] Heart-Centered Approaches to Teaching and Learning (w/Regyna Curtis & Dr. Adrienne MacIain)
By taking a heart-centered approach to teaching and embracing intuition as a part of learning, we can become better educators and help our students think outside of the box. Join Dr. Wendy Amato, Dr. Adrienne MacIain, and Regyna Curtis as they talk about how we can make subtle ch ... Show More
21m 48s
Jul 2016
01-Intro To Music Student 101
Welcome! Learn about us and our goals in this inaugural episode! Hosts, Matt and Jeremy, discuss their mission, their backgrounds and give a preview of the journey ahead. This podcast is intended to educate and assist musicians, of all levels, on their paths to musical discovery. ... Show More
15m 58s
Jun 2021
Trauma Informed Music Education with Karen Salvador and Rebecca DeWan
Some students find it difficult to engage in their learning. Emotional and cognitive difficulties can affect a student’s motivation to learn and may make it difficult for them to participate in class-based educational activities. Music is a unique medium of engagement and creativ ... Show More
58m 27s
Mar 2020
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Guide to Mindfulness!
Zara and Leo land in Memphis, Tennessee, to visit one of the best county fairs in the United States. They are determined to see their favorite band play on the main stage. In fact, they’re so determined that they’ve forgotten to enjoy themselves. Find out how to be mindful in thi ... Show More
19m 26s
Sep 2023
SEASON 1 - Getting to Know Us: A Fun Introduction to Hayley and Cheryl
SEASON 1 (SEASON 2 ABOUT US COMING SOON)Welcome to our bonus first episode, where we're giving you a sneak peek into who we are and what we're all about! This episode may not dive into the depths of interior design education, but it's a chance for you to get to know the faces beh ... Show More
19m 18s
Dec 2024
Spontaneous Lessons Learned from Students
In this week's episode, the students truly have become the teachers.  TOD Live episodes at the Saved By the Beach Bored Teachers Comedy Fest 2025: https://www.savedbythebeachfest.com Grab your tickets for the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour here: https://bit.ly/TODBTCT Check out our M ... Show More
58m 43s
Nov 2024
Hearts Beat as One feat. Cyn
Lisa, Elliot, Cowy, and Billy are preparing for their biggest challenge yet: recording a song together! 🎼 But when the Lingokids friends step into the recording studio, things don’t go exactly as planned. Can they work together to create harmony? 🤔 Luckily, a special guest step ... Show More
11m 16s