In Episode 137 of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, Dr. Charles Laux sits down with the dynamic and forward-thinking Al Rodriguez—Director of Orchestras and Music Technology Instructor at Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, Virginia.

Recently named a Yamaha “40 Under 40” Music Educator (2026) and a two-time GRAMMY Music Educator Award quarterfinalist, Al is redefining what a modern orchestra program can look like.

From his roots in Lakewood, Ohio—where he studied under the legendary Dr. Elizabeth Hankins and performed in the nation’s first high school rock orchestra—to leading a vibrant, student-centered program just miles from the historic Mount Vernon estate, Al brings passion, innovation, and heart to everything he does.

Serving a highly transient, military-connected student population, Al has built a thriving program grounded in care-based instruction—where relationships, creativity, and student voice take center stage.

In this conversation, we explore how Al:

• Transformed his program by integrating a high-impact Music Technology course, empowering students to create and produce their own EPs using Soundtrap
• Reimagined fundraising with his wildly successful “Music Marathon,” where community leaders compete for the chance to conduct using the coveted Golden Baton
• Balances rigor and creativity by shifting from “director” to facilitator, unlocking deeper student engagement and ownership
• Builds resilience and connection in a constantly changing school community

You’ll also hear about Al’s life beyond the classroom as a professional bassist and bandleader, including his work with the funk-fusion group Femi and the Foundation and their debut release.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The lasting impact of mentorship and the legacy of Dr. Elizabeth Hankins
• Teaching and retaining students in a military-connected, high-transiency environment
• Designing a Music Technology curriculum that turns beginners into confident creators
• A step-by-step blueprint for hosting your own “Music Marathon” fundraiser
• Rethinking the role of the orchestra teacher in a modern classroom
• Balancing teaching, performing, and creative life

About Our Guest:
Al Rodriguez is the Orchestra Director and Music Technology Instructor at Mount Vernon High School and Music Director of the Washington Metropolitan Youth Orchestra. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University and Ithaca College, he is an in-demand clinician, conductor, and performer dedicated to expanding access and innovation in music education.

— SPONSORS AND REFERRAL LINKS —

Looking to plan a great orchestra trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning performance travel beyond expectations for more than 30 years.

⁠https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-orchestra-teacher-podcast/⁠

Want to find some classic repertoire or looking for something different and new? Check out Keiser Productions!

https://www.keiserproductions.com

Looking for things on Amazon? Use my referral link:

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Resources and more information at ⁠www.orchestrateacher.net⁠

Episode #136: From the Air Force to the Podium with Erica Donahoe, Orchestra Director & ComposerIn this episode, Dr. Charles Laux sits down with Erica Donahoe, the Director of Orchestras at New Albany Plain Local Schools in Ohio. Erica’s journey to the podium is unlike any other—spanning from the United States Air Force Academy to becoming one of the most prolific string composers in the industry today.Erica shares how she manages a program of over 400 students, her secrets for keeping middle schoolers engaged through high-energy "games" like Sheriffs and Outlaws, and how she transitioned from a military career back to her musical roots. We also dive deep into her composition process, her tips for working with publishers, and the wild story of how she ended up performing with Andrea Bocelli on just two hours' notice!In this episode, we discuss:* The Non-Traditional Path: How Erica’s time in the Air Force shaped her discipline and work ethic as a teacher.* Growing a Program: Strategies for taking a high school program from 60 to over 160 students.* The Art of Composition: How Erica went from self-taught Finale user to being published by Alfred, Carl Fischer, Excelcia, and more.* Classroom Management through Play: Practical games like "Sheriffs and Outlaws" and "Pepperoni Pizza Scales" to keep students focused.* The "Parent" Perspective: How having her own children in her program changed her teaching style for the better.* Performance Pressure: The incredible story of sight-reading 23 arias for a stadium of 11,000 people.About Our Guest: Erica Donahoe directs the New Albany Plain Local Schools orchestra program in New Albany, Ohio. She holds degrees from the U.S. Air Force Academy and The Ohio State University. An active performer and violinist, she has played with the Pikes Peak Philharmonic and the New Albany Symphony Orchestra. Her compositions are performed nationwide and have been featured at the ASTA National Convention and the Midwest Clinic.Connect with Erica:* Find her music at: Alfred Music, Carl Fischer, Excelcia Music Publishing, and Randall Standridge Music.* Search "Erica Donahoe" on J.W. Pepper to explore her latest scores.Subscribe & Support: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with a fellow music educator!— SPONSORS AND REFERRAL LINKS —Looking to plan a great orchestra trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning performance travel beyond expectations for more than 30 years. ⁠https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-orchestra-teacher-podcast/⁠Want to find some classic repertoire or looking for something different and new? Check out Keiser Productions!https://www.keiserproductions.comLooking for things on Amazon? Use my referral link:⁠https://amzn.to/3RkfRLk⁠Do you keep a monthly budget? If not, try You Need a Budget! It’s a great app/website that helps keep your finances on track.⁠https://tinyurl.com/TheOrchestraTeacherYNAB⁠Do you have cable? Cut the cord and check out YouTube TV! It works on mobile, Smart TVs, the web and more!⁠https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r22irzcuy7jshi⁠Resources and more information at ⁠www.orchestrateacher.net⁠#OrchestraTeacher #MusicEducation #StringOrchestra #MusicComposition #OrchestraDirector #TheOrchestraTeacherPodcast

In Episode 135 of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, Dr. Charles Laux welcomes two legendary orchestra educators from Las Vegas, Shelly Burger and Dr. Chuck Cushinery. Both guests spent decades shaping the orchestra landscape in the Clark County School District and mentoring generations of students and teachers.

Shelly Burger retired in 2021 after a remarkable 37-year career directing orchestras at Green Valley High School and several other CCSD campuses. Her ensembles performed on some of the most prestigious stages in the country, including The Midwest Clinic, Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony Center, and Lincoln Center. Beyond the classroom, she served the profession through leadership roles in state and national music education organizations while mentoring countless young teachers.

Dr. Chuck Cushinery began his career as a professional violinist before becoming the orchestra director at Clark High School in 1997. During his tenure, he built a dynamic program that included guitar, piano, and electronic music while leading the Clark Chamber Orchestra to national recognition, including a Grand National Orchestra Championship at the American String Teachers Association conference. His ensembles also performed multiple times at The Midwest Clinic. Chuck is also a two-time Top 10 finalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator Award and now continues his work as a clinician, composer, and educator.

In this conversation, Shelly and Chuck reflect on the lessons learned from decades in the classroom:

🎻 Building strong orchestra programs from the ground up

🎻 Mentoring young teachers and developing leadership in students

🎻 Preparing ensembles for major performances and national stages

🎻 Navigating the challenges and rewards of a lifelong career in music education

🎻 Life and creativity after retirement

With humor, honesty, and decades of wisdom, these two master educators share insights that will inspire both new and veteran orchestra teachers alike.

Whether you’re building a program, mentoring students, or reflecting on your own teaching journey, this episode offers invaluable perspective from two educators whose impact continues to shape the orchestra world. 🎶

— SPONSORS AND REFERRAL LINKS —

Looking to plan a great orchestra trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning performance travel beyond expectations for more than 30 years.

⁠https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-orchestra-teacher-podcast/⁠

Want to find some classic repertoire or looking for something different and new? Check out Keiser Productions!

https://www.keiserproductions.com

Looking for things on Amazon? Use my referral link:

⁠https://amzn.to/3RkfRLk⁠

Do you keep a monthly budget? If not, try You Need a Budget! It’s a great app/website that helps keep your finances on track.

⁠https://tinyurl.com/TheOrchestraTeacherYNAB⁠

Do you have cable? Cut the cord and check out YouTube TV! It works on mobile, Smart TVs, the web and more!

⁠https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r22irzcuy7jshi⁠

Resources and more information at ⁠www.orchestrateacher.net⁠