Memoirs of studying with acclaimed dancer-choreographer Moustapha Bangoura in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa, illuminate the significant, yet unspoken role played by the "djembefola" (lead drummer) in teaching and learning dance. This portrait provides autobiographical and ethnographic insights, gained through attending "Le…

Instilling positive motivational beliefs in musical learners is vital to promoting long term engagement with music beyond the school years. This qualitative interview study explores the motivation of nine adolescent instrumental learners in an English school through the lens of achievement goal theory. Participants discussed experiences aligning…

Baxian music, a traditional folk music genre deeply rooted in Fengshan County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, represents a critical component of the region's intangible cultural heritage. Known for using the Suona, a traditional woodwind instrument, Baxian music is closely associated with local customs, particularly wedding rituals. This…

Music classrooms have incorporated elements of cooperative peer learning for generations. Whether sharing an instrument or composing a song together, peers interact in many meaningful and spontaneous ways. While the principles of peer-assisted learning (PAL) might be familiar to many music teachers, the process and structures of reciprocal peer…

Jin-style Laoting Dagu is a traditional Chinese folk music form that integrates rhythmic drumming, expressive vocal storytelling, and instrumental accompaniment, originating in Laoting County, Hebei Province. This study investigates the role of Jin-style Laoting Dagu in fostering musical literacy and cultural preservation within educational…

In every music classroom, nonverbal forces--including immediacy, ensemble setups, and teacher use of space--may impact student outcomes. Immediacy refers to a collection of nonverbal behaviors that communicate psychological closeness. The purpose of this survey study was to examine secondary choir teachers' (N = 137) self-reported immediacy…

With the intent of informing the practice of music teachers navigating "multi-musicality" in their classrooms, this qualitative study, employing case study and narrative research tools, investigates the experiences of three musical "boundary crossers"--professional musicians whose work traverses the popular-classical divide.…

Practice occupies an essential and significant place in every musician's life, yet the practice habits of highly experienced, professional musicians, remain under-researched. As such, this study sought to contribute to the emerging body of knowledge into professional musicians' practice. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with six such…

In conjunction with local middle schools, the Make to Learn Lab in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia offered a two-week Summer Engineering Academy for students who completed an introductory engineering course during the previous school year. In that course, students worked with circuits and advanced…

Ukuleles are becoming more widespread in Montessori classrooms. In this article, the authors answer questions teachers may have about having a uke in their classroom, such as: "How do I start?" "Where would I buy an instrument?" "What do I look for?" "What's it going to cost?" "How long will it…

The objectives of this research were to study (1) the development of knowledge on the aesthetics of Lam in Ubon Style, and (2) the process of transferring knowledge to inherit the performing arts of Molam Morlam-Ruang-Tor-Klon in Ubon style. Data from documents and fieldwork were analyzed and presented using descriptive analysis. The results…

Class piano has been a subset of piano pedagogy that has been growing in popularity since its establishment 200 years ago. The purpose of this literature review was to synthesize the research and materials related to the history of class piano and its function in (a) K-12 school settings, (b) collegiate student settings, and (c) adult student…

Lusheng is a traditional wind musical instrument cherished by various ethnic minorities in China. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of Lusheng Chinese musical instruments in promoting literacy through educational functions and transmission. Conducted in Guizhou Province, a region rich in ethnic diversity, this study employs…

Si Zhu Yue music is a traditional Chinese folk music genre characterized by stringed and bamboo wind instruments. It originates from the Yangtze River basin in China. This study aims to propose guidelines for transmitting literacy studies in traditional Chinese folk music in Si Zhu Yue. We synthesize literature to provide insights into the…

Dongjing Chinese folk music, a traditional musical form deeply embedded in the cultural heritage of the Naxi people, combines elements of Han and Naxi cultural traditions. This study explores the role of Dongjing Chinese folk music in enhancing musical literacy and education among students and communities in Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. From…