The Orchestra Teacher Podcast

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

In Episode 134 of The Orchestra Teacher Podcast, Dr. Charles Laux sits down with master educator Joanne May to reflect on five decades of transformative teaching in public schools and higher education.

A retired Assistant Professor of Music Education and Director of Orchestras at Elmhurst University, Joanne previously spent 33 years in public school classrooms, most notably at Glenbard East High School in Illinois. From launching a kindergarten Suzuki/Rolland program that grew to over 400 students, to rebuilding collegiate string programs, her career is a masterclass in vision, persistence, and pedagogical excellence.

A devoted student of Paul Rolland, Joanne has carried Rolland’s movement-based pedagogy into every level of her teaching. In this episode, she shares:

• What it was like studying directly with Paul Rolland

• How movement, balance, and whole-body awareness transform string technique

• Practical applications of Rolland pedagogy for beginners through advanced players

• How she built thriving string programs from the ground up

• Why professional organizations like American String Teachers Association are vital for growth and leadership

• The philosophy behind her book Skills, Scales, and Tunes: Developing String Technique with Paul Rolland Pedagogy

• The importance of guarding students’ vulnerability in the orchestra classroom

Joanne also discusses her leadership roles, including serving as Past President of Illinois ASTA, former Orchestra Council Chair for NAfME, and her work on the Paul Rolland String Pedagogy Society Certification Committee. Her influence extends internationally through workshops and clinics across the U.S. and abroad.

This episode is filled with wisdom for orchestra teachers at every stage — from beginning directors to seasoned educators seeking renewed inspiration.

🎻 If you believe technique should feel free, balanced, and expressive — and that great teaching is both art and responsibility — this conversation is for you.

— BIORGRAPHY —

Joanne May is a retired Assistant Professor of Music Education and Director of Orchestras at Elmhurst University, where she also founded the Elmhurst World Music Festival. With 33 years in public school teaching, she has extensive experience in string education. A student of Paul Rolland, she is a leader in Rolland pedagogy, presenting internationally and contributing to certification programs. May is a past president of Illinois ASTA, an award-winning educator, and an active clinician, conductor, and author of multiple string education resources.

— 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

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