Shows / Chaotic Harmony
Chaotic Harmony
Led by Jonathan Seligman, Crystal Pridmore, Marc Keehmer, Sasha Stone, Jamie Jun, Genesis Santos, and Jasmine Mah. Conversations between those in music education, talking about the joys, struggles, and all things adjacent to elementary music.
Episodes
- Chaotic Harmony
163: We CONTINUE Answering College Student Questions On Music Education - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
We're back with MORE questions from University of Nevada Reno students. They have questions about music education. We have answers! Or at least ideas of…
- Chaotic Harmony
162: We Answer College Students Questions on Music Education! Part 1 - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
We have students from University of Nevada Reno ask us questions about our experiences in Elementary Music Education. A huge thank you to Professor Kate…
- Chaotic Harmony
161: Let It - Jacob On Teaching Special Education in the Music Room - Chaotic Harmony Classroom
Here's the second half of Jacob Boergesson's two-parter! Here, Jacob shares his background on teaching Special Education as well as advice to all teachers that…
- Chaotic Harmony
160: From Kodaly & Feierabend to Beyond - Jacob Boergesson's Journey of Music Ed - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
We're back! This time, we have the heart of Connecticuit joining us today, Jacob Boergesson. While he's a new music teacher in Chula Vista, he's not new to the…
- Chaotic Harmony
159: Chaotic Check In - How’s It Going? - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
How’s the school year actually going? In this episode of Chaotic Harmony, we take a moment to check in, reflect on our year, and talk about the wins…
- Chaotic Harmony
Ep 158: Special Education in the Music Classroom
How do we make our music classrooms truly inclusive for every student? The AROSA crew sits down with high school band director John Cargile to talk special…
- Chaotic Harmony
157: Project Based Learning Look Like in Elementary Music?? - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
This week, we talk with Russell Nadel on how Project-Based Learning works in elementary music. He shares his story and what he's done to make music mean more…
- Chaotic Harmony
156: Children's Books We Love Using in the Music Classroom - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Children's books are a vital part of how many of us in Chaotic Harmony teach music. Today, we talk about some of our favorite books, how we use them, and also…
- Chaotic Harmony
155: Creating an Orff-like Camp for Kids - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Olivia Ramirez is back! Over the summer, she and her friend ran an elementary music camp for kids, very much inspired by Orff Levels. Oh, and it was a success!…
- Chaotic Harmony
154: Welcome Back Teachers! Our Hopes for the New School Year - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Welcome back, music teachers, and welcome to a new school year and Season 8! We are joined today by Crystal, Genesis, Jasmine, Jonathan, and Marc, chatting…
- Chaotic Harmony
153: HAGS! Summer Finale Part 2 -- Gameshow! - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Last week we reflected, this week we game. Genesis leads us in a fun end of year gameshow. Questions are all related to things that children read/watch or what…
- Chaotic Harmony
152: HAGS! Summer Season Finale Part One - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
It's the end of the school year -- can you believe it? Today, Genesis leads the discussion with Jamie, Jasmine, and Jonathan, reflecting on the past year and…
- Chaotic Harmony
151: The Other Side of the Staff -- Arts Admin in Music Education - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
The teachers are away -- time for the admin to share their thoughts! Marc is joined by VAPA Coordinator Sabrina Skeels of Saddleback Valley Unified and VAPA…
- Chaotic Harmony
150: Are You Still Creative as a Music Teacher? - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Teaching is a busy endeavor. Learn how to be a good pedagogue; lesson plan; email parents; message staff. Do you still have time to make music yourself? Is…
- Chaotic Harmony
149: Does AI Belong in Music Education? - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
AI. ChatGPT. Copilot. Grok. You fill in the blanks -- or rather let them fill it for you. Does artificial intelligence have a place in our classrooms? We have…
- Chaotic Harmony
148: Why Should Anyone Care About the Arts?? - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
148: Why Should Anyone Care About the Arts?? - Chaotic Harmony Podcast by Chaotic Harmony
- Chaotic Harmony
147: Day in the Life of April 2026 - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
The entire Chaotic Harmony Family is back! Today, we share a small glimpse of what we're doing our learning spaces, or, if we may, a Day in the Life. Some…
- Chaotic Harmony
146: What Makes a Good Mentor for Elementary Music Teachers
Jamie, Jasmine, and Jonathan reflect on what they've learned on mentorship -- from being a mentee, to being a mentor, to seeking guidance after…
- Chaotic Harmony
145: Aaron Keane, "Music is People" — Bringing Your Authentic Self Into the Classroom
Today's episode, Aaron Keane joins the conversation! Another amazing young teacher at six sites. Six!! He shares about how he became a music teacher and the…
- Chaotic Harmony
144: What We're Reading to Become Better (and Less Rigid) Educators - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Today, Jonathan and Marc talk about books we are reading and how they are helping us shape us as individuals who work in music education. Mainly (without…
- Chaotic Harmony
143: Did NAMM Really Serve Music Educators in 2026? - Chaotic Harmony Classroom
We're nearing the end of review season! Leah Nevarez joins us again to share about her experience at NAMM, the National Assocation of Music Merchants. She…
- Chaotic Harmony
142: Matthew Trevino — Laughing in the Face of Impostor Syndrome - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Matthew Trevino joins the chat! You know him -- the fun, TikTok sensational, 2x CMA Music Teacher of Excellence, 5x GRAMMY Music Teacher Quarterfinalist…
- Chaotic Harmony
141: CASMEC 2026 - Are Sponsors Stealing the Spotlight? - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Jasmine and Jamie are back to talk about everyone's favorite California Music Education Conference! That's right! CASMEC! There were some great sessions, but…
- Chaotic Harmony
140: How Can Partner Teaching Work in the Elementary Music Classroom? - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Two teachers. One music room. Does that work? We talk to Athena Reyes and Brittany Case on this topic, two elementary music teachers from Orange County, CA. In…
- Chaotic Harmony
139: Teaching Japanese American Incarceration Through Music with the Inouye Sisters - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
In 2021, Jonathan witnessed one of the most powerful music education workshops he's ever attended. Led by Mika Inouye, Sarah Mano Inouye, Mei Li Inouye, and…
- Chaotic Harmony
138: Ashtyn Avella: Making Sure Everybody Belongs - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Ashtyn Avella is back! This episode, she shares her personal journey -- from aspiring bus driver to amazing music teacher, but always advocate for all. She…
- Chaotic Harmony
137: Welcome Back! Goals for 2026 - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Happy New Years and welcome back! On today's episode, Genesis, Jasmine, and Jonathan talk about their holiday season and a project/goal they are excited to…
- Chaotic Harmony
136: Winter Wrap Up Part Two: Gameshow Chaos - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
It is the end of the year! Shows are over, classes are ending, so let's have some fun! Today, in our first-time-live-streamed episode, the Chaotic Harmony Crew…
- Chaotic Harmony
135: Winter Wrap Up Part One: Reflecting on 2025 - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
It's the end of the year! Other than performances, the quarter is coming to a close. Genesis, Jamie, Jasmine, Jonathan, Marc, and Sasha look back and reflect…
- Chaotic Harmony
134: AOSA 2025 Recap - Connecting in Kentucky - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
We JUST got back from AOSA's annual Conference -- this time in Lexington, Kentucky. It. Was. A. Blast! All of the Chaotic Harmony Crew was there, communing and…
- Chaotic Harmony
133: How Are We Running Orff Chapters in 2025? - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Jonathan Seligman (San Diego) and Jasmine Mah (American River) welcome guests Aiko Sakazaki and Frank LaGuardia (Los Angeles)—leaders from Orff chapter boards…
- Chaotic Harmony
132: Harmony for All Part 2: LGBTQIA+ Inclusion in Elementary Music - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
We are continuing our conversation on how can we make our elementary music classrooms more inclusive, compassionate, and representative of every student we…
- Chaotic Harmony
131: Harmony for All - LGBTQIA+ Inclusion in Elementary Music Part One - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
In this two-part episode of Chaotic Harmony, hosts Jamie Jun and Crystal Pridmore sit down with Danny McKay and Ashtyn Avella to explore what it means to teach…
- Chaotic Harmony
130: Building Harmony: Leah Nevarez on How Community Schools Uplift Music and the Arts - CH Podcast
What are community schools and how do they pertain, uplift, and bolster music programs? 🎨🎵 Music teacher Leah Nevarez joins us again, this time to explore how…
- Chaotic Harmony
129: Catching Up With Crystal - Life After the Music Classroom - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Crystal is back! In this heartfelt episode, we catch up with Mrs. Pridmore as she shares what it’s like to step away from full-time teaching after 15+ years in…
- Chaotic Harmony
128: Knowing 700 Names - Building Real Connections in Elementary Music - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Today, Genesis, Jamie, and Jonathan explore the challenge of building meaningful connections with hundreds of students in the elementary music classroom(s). We…
- Chaotic Harmony
127: Ashley Brown Woodside - Touch is Vital - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Last year at the American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) Conference, Ashley Brown Woodside gave a presentation on movement and animation. One of her final…
- Chaotic Harmony
126: How Do We Plan for Performances? - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Performances can be a dirty word in the general music space and it can be the bloodline of our program. Sasha leads the conversation on how varying Chaotic…
- Chaotic Harmony
125: Christine DeVane - Stories for the Soft-Spoken - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Today, we interview former classroom teacher turned children's author Christine Devane. She just published a book called "Elephant Beach," which is about…
- Chaotic Harmony
124: Live, Laugh, Literature - Children's Books in the Music Room - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Wait, you use children's picture books in the music classroom? How does that help them learn music? Jamie, Jasmine, and Sasha talk about this very thing! They…
- Chaotic Harmony
123: Full Circle with Danny McKay - Journey, Social Media, Advocacy - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
It's everyone's favorite human: Danny McKay! Danny joins the chat and talks about a LOT. What's his journey? How did he become a social media star? Why does he…
- Chaotic Harmony
122: How Are You Implementing Systems to Make the Class Run Smoothly - Chaotic Harmony Classroom
How do you get a class and a school year to run smoothly? Coffee? Shouting? I think not! We have systems in place to help everything run with as few hitches as…
- Chaotic Harmony
121: So... How Do You Orff at 8 Schools?! - Chaotic Harmony Classroom
Joan Li and Rodnalyn Sese join us, talking about their Orff Levels experience this past summer. They also teach at 8 schools to only 2-3 grade levels. How do…
- Chaotic Harmony
120 Back to School! Hopes for the Year - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
The teachers are back in town! School is back! Today, the four of us reflect how last year went, how that's affecting us as we go in, and reminding ourselves…
- Chaotic Harmony
119: Beauty in Small Gatherings & Reflecting on the AAPI MEG - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Today, Darlene Machacon and Rachel Pac join Genesis Santos and Jonathan Seligman, talking about the AAPI & Asian Canadian Music Education Gathering! This is…
- Chaotic Harmony
118: What Does Music Teacher Training Look Like in 2025 p2 - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Cat and Joshua are back to talk about... a lot. Can Orff exist online? What are the barriers to Orff Levels and music education training overall in 2025? Let…
- Chaotic Harmony
117 - What Do You Get Out of Teaching Orff Levels? p1 - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Cat Woo and Joshua Block join us today to talk about why Orff Levels is valuable! Things have changed over the years and what they've seen, so they offer their…
- Chaotic Harmony
116: Why is Fun Important to Jamie Jun? - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
We finally get to hear from Jamie! Jamie Jun shares her story, how she became an educator, and why play is so vital in learning. Join us! Our Social Media…
- Chaotic Harmony
115: Let's Get to Know Jasmine Mah - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Jasmine Mah is a young yet amazing music educator in the Sacramento area. She's also one of the new faces of Chaotic Harmony! Today, Jonathan interviews her…
- Chaotic Harmony
114: Why Teachers March. Reflecting On California Fight For Schools Rally - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Last Saturday, California held their Fight For Schools Rally. Sasha and Jonathan were both there! Today, those two reflect on the importance of teachers…
- Chaotic Harmony
113: Genesis Joins the Family! Learning About Mr. Santos - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
113: Genesis Joins the Family! Learning About Mr. Santos - Chaotic Harmony Podcast by Chaotic Harmony
- Chaotic Harmony
112: We've Done this Podcast for 6 Years?? Looking Back - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
It's finally here! Our 100th episode that's really episode 112. Jonathan interviews Crystal - the founder - on what it was like creating this podcast to begin…
- Chaotic Harmony
111: What's the Future of Chula Vista's VAPA Festival? - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Last week, Chula Vista Elementary's annual VAPA Festival happened and it was a HIT! Marc and Jonathan reflect on the events and look forward to what it'll look…
- Chaotic Harmony
110: Finding Self Care During Spring Break - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Spring break is here! Or maybe it went. Orr it's just around the corner. What are you doing during this reprieve? Hear from our community how we're intending…
- Chaotic Harmony
109: Remember COVID?? Reflecting on the Past 5 Years - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Where were you when the world shut down? March 13th marks the 5th year anniversary of COVID in the US. Jamie, Jasmine, Jonathan, and Sasha reflect on where…
- Chaotic Harmony
108: Good Enough is Not Enough for Our Kids - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
Sasha is back! She shares her story of growing up with a learning disability and how that affects how she approaches teaching. Don't forget to cast your vote…
- Chaotic Harmony
107: Parent Perspective - Dr. Kirin Macapugay on Community Organizing & the Arts - Chaotic Harmony
Professor at SDCC, community organizer, and parent of Jonathan's students: Dr. Kirin Macapugay joins the chat! This is a very thoughtful episode, where Kirin…
- Chaotic Harmony
106: You're at 8 Schools?? Rodnalyn Sese's Journey - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
San Diego AOSA’s Vice President Rodnalyn Sese joins the chat! Only teaching for three years and between eight schools, she shares her heartfelt journey on how…
- Chaotic Harmony
105: Sasha Stone - A New Gameplan with 5th Grade - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
The YouTube Queen is back! Sasha Stone shares her struggles this year with 5th grade and how she was encouraged by her admin to go off script to do some cool…
- Chaotic Harmony
104: Fantasy Draft Pt 2 - Creating the Best List of Video Game Music for the Class - Chaotic Harmony Podcast
We're back! Jonathan and the AROSA crew finish off the fantasy draft, creating the best lists of video game music for each Laban effort. It's a weird mix of…