In this literature review, I examine the importance of using nonverbal communication in the music classroom. I first offer insights from the general literature on communication, which has highlighted how nonverbal skills help people to connect and communicate more effectively with others. I then make connections to music education, where we regularly implement nonverbal communication through various means, such as conducting gestures and facial expressions in ensemble contexts. I discuss the importance of finding an optimal balance between verbal and nonverbal instruction to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of musical rehearsals--particularly within culturally diverse populations in which linguistic differences may complicate traditional verbal communication efforts. I conclude by offering possibilities for further research that might provide greater insight into these findings.