Let’s transform music education — together.
Changemakers in Music Education brings together practitioners who share a dream that every student will see themselves as a musician.
Hi, I’m David.
I founded Changemakers in Music Education because I believe it’s well past time for change in our field … and I know I’m not alone.
Earlier in my career, I felt too often that I was alone in departing from the status quo in order to serve my students better. That’s why this community is so important to me.
To transform music education systems to be more inclusive, relevant, and human-centered, we can’t do it alone. It’s going to take all of us.
I’m so glad you’re here!
Changemakers in Music Education brings together music educators who share a dream that every student will see themselves as a musician.
To get there, we need to build a music education system that is more inclusive, relevant, and human-centered.
⚠️ The issues we’re tackling are existential for music education.
"Music for all” … “The universal language” … We hear these expressions constantly, yet too many students — and adults — who came through traditional music programs walk away concluding: "I’m just not musical."
➡️ This isn't a student failure. It’s the result of models that value rigid methods and performance over the creative process. For generations, school music programs have measured success through instrument proficiency and polished performances. Too many learners check out — seeing music not as a vehicle for creativity and connection, but as something reserved for those with exceptional technical ability.
➡️ Educators are caught in a hard spot. You didn’t enter this field to churn through method books or chase concert deadlines. You became a teacher out of a deep love for the art form and its power to change lives. Yet too often, rigid structures leave little room for the creativity and responsiveness that inspired you to teach, leading to burnout.
➡️ The stakes reach beyond the classroom. When generations of students leave school believing they aren’t musical, society begins to see music as something reserved for the talented few rather than a deeply human way of expressing, connecting, and understanding one other. Over time, that weakens public understanding of why music education belongs in every person’s education.
↪️ It’s time to upend the narrative.
In the world we dream of:
Your inherent creativity is your greatest teaching tool.
Every student sees themselves as musical.
Music education is recognized as essential to a thriving society.
Together, we can build holistic, responsive, and human-centered music education that is truly “for all.”
What we’re doing
Sharing innovative classroom practices through conference presentations, workshops, and university collaborations.
Documenting the work of diverse Changemakers through a collection of classroom case studies that explores both what we’re doing and why it matters.
Building Community through regular gatherings where educators encourage one another, exchange ideas, and find the support to move beyond familiar but limiting models.
We can’t wait to meet you!
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “There has to be a better way,” … you have found your people.
This community isn’t like others you might be used to — that’s by design.
We are building a growing community of music educators challenging long-held assumptions and redesigning learning experiences around student voice, choice, and creativity.
This community is:
Rooted in practice: We’re active or veteran music educators. We practice what we preach, and our classrooms and studios are our proving grounds.
Teacher-led, student-centered: We learn from one another, challenge one another, and remain united by the goal of better serving our students.
Designed for the busy educator: Start by getting connected. Join for virtual meet ups as you can. We get it — we also have limited prep time 😉.
If you’re passionate about reimagining music education to co-create a thriving, inclusive, and relevant system, please reach out and connect. We need educators willing to ask critical questions and try new approaches. To bring this vision to life, we need you.
Meet other Changemakers in Music Education
David Davis is a band, orchestra, and general music educator, and the founder of the Changemakers in Music Education initiative, which connects teachers who are reimagining inclusive, student-centered music learning.
Gillian Desmarais is a K-12 Digital Music and Production educator who is redefining music education through electronic instruments and student-driven creativity.
Michael Bratsch is a veteran educator and administrator in Minneapolis Public Schools who uses music as a catalyst for hope, belonging, and community transformation.
Danni Gilbert is an Assistant Professor of Instrumental Music Education at the University of Minnesota who focuses on preparing the next generation of music educators to lead with care, equity, and wellness.
Lyz Jaakola is an Ojibwe-Anishinaabe musician, educator, and member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe who centers Indigenous knowledge, language, and cultural continuity in her work.
Bojan Hoover is a band teacher with experience in elementary, high school, and college, and a marching arts leader who believes musical excellence begins with access, joy, and full participation.
Ruth LeMay is the founder of 3Strings, a community-driven non-profit that reimagines music literacy to make instrumental performance accessible for all learners, including neurodiverse and differently-abled students.
Becca Buck is an elementary music educator and adjunct Kodály faculty at the University of St. Thomas. Her work centers culturally affirming music education that reflects the identities and lived experiences of her students.