April 15, 2026

The Creative Act: Staying Inspired in the Music Room with Matt Shea

Show Notes

Have you ever wondered how to keep the "magic" alive in your teaching year after year? Today’s guest, Matt Shea, is a master of joyful, movement-based instruction who believes that our own creativity is the best tool we bring to the classroom.

From his roots as a bassoonist to his transformative experiences at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria, Matt shares how he leverages children’s literature, Dalcroze Eurythmics, and personal hobbies (like sewing 100 bee costumes!) to stay inspired. Whether you are a first-year teacher or a 25-year veteran, this episode is a "warm hug" for your creative soul.

In this episode, we cover:

Finding Your People: Matt’s journey from band director aspirations to falling in love with the "magical experiences" of elementary music.
The Salzburg Connection: What it’s really like to study at the Orff Institute in Austria and the power of international musical sharing.
Literature as Inspiration: How Matt uses books like What the Road Said and Harold and the Purple Crayon to anchor high-level musical programs.
The Dalcroze Difference: Exploring Eurythmics and how whole-body movement changes the way students (and teachers) process music.
The "Creative Act": A deep dive into Matt’s favorite books for teacher development, including Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act.
Hobbies Outside the Room: Why sewing and swimming lessons actually make Matt a better music educator.

Connect with Matt Shea: