Performer’s Role in Music Pedagogies: Creative Pathways for Music Education

This study explores the transformation of professional performers into music educators, with particular emphasis on the creative pedagogies they adopt in their teaching practices. While performers often enter education with advanced musical and artistic expertise, their transition into effective teaching requires rethinking identity, pedagogy, and classroom strategies. The objective of this research is to examine how performers adapt to their roles as educators, focusing on the challenges they face, the pedagogical approaches they employ, and the outcomes of their teaching practices. A qualitative research design was employed, involving in-depth semi-structured interviews with nine professional musicians who successfully transitioned into teaching roles. The study highlights the creative pedagogies developed by these performer-educators, as well as their teaching approaches and classroom management strategies. These include collaborative music-making, reflective listening, and adapting instruction to suit different student groups and levels of ability. Such practices provide aspiring music teachers with effective strategies to foster engagement, build confidence, and manage diverse classroom dynamics. The findings also emphasize the positive impact of creative pedagogy on learners, leading to enhanced musical growth, increased motivation, and deeper connections between students and the learning process. Overall, the research suggests that performers bring unique strengths to the classroom, particularly in creativity, expressiveness, and authenticity, yet they also face significant challenges in pedagogical adaptation. By integrating creative methods with formal teaching strategies, performer-educators can enrich the music learning experience, making it both engaging and transformative. This study provides valuable insights for music education programs, underscoring the importance of preparing aspiring music teachers to merge performance artistry with innovative pedagogical practices.

performer-educators, music education, creative pedagogy, teaching strategies

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