Welcome to the Modern Classrooms Project Podcast. Each week we bring you discussions with educators on how they use blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning to better serve their learners. In this episode, Monte Woodard is joined by Chris Isip, who shared insights into his journey of incorporating the Modern Classroom Project model into his music curriculum.

With a focus on blending classical with hip-hop, pop, and rock, Chris emphasizes the importance of catering to diverse musical tastes. He highlights artists like Lindsey Stirling and The Piano Guys, who merge classical instruments with contemporary genres, as inspirations.

Reflecting on his experience, Chris reveals that student-centered learning not only reduces music performance anxiety but also enhances student engagement. He praises the self-pacing aspect of MCP, which allows students to practice without pressure and perform with ease when ready. Chris urges hesitant music educators to explore the model's potential, emphasizing how it can positively impact students' behaviors, attention, and overall learning experience.

Here are three key takeaways from this episode: 

• Explore Diverse Musical Styles: Chris blends classical music with hip-hop, pop, and rock in his teaching, emphasizing the importance of catering to diverse musical tastes.

• Reduced Music Performance Anxiety: The self-pacing aspect of the Modern Classroom Project reduces music performance anxiety among students, allowing them to practice without pressure and perform confidently when ready.

• Enhanced Engagement and Learning: Chris highlights that MCP positively impacts student behaviors, attention, and overall learning experience, urging hesitant music educators to explore its potential for improving instruction and student outcomes.

As Chris put it, "Music is a universal language," and credits the Modern Classrooms Project model with offering a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between traditional and modern music education, inspiring a new generation of musicians.

Discussion questions for PLC and PD: 

• How can music educators incorporate diverse musical styles, such as classical crossover, into their teaching to engage a wider range of student interests and foster a deeper appreciation for music?

• In what ways can the self-pacing aspect of the Modern Classroom Project (MCP) be applied in music education to reduce music performance anxiety and enhance student confidence during performances?

• Reflecting on Chris Isip's experience, how might you adapt elements of the MCP model to your own teaching approach, regardless of the subject, to improve student engagement, self-paced learning, and overall learning outcomes?

Our Host

Monte Woodard is a 6th and 8th-grade teacher at the Field School in Washington, DC, and Modern Classrooms Expert Mentor. She's taught in Georgia, Florida, and DC and has taught every branch of science in 6th-8th grade. In her free time, Monte loves reading, crocheting, and playing video games. 

Our Guest: Chris Isip

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