Ep. 31/Compassion in Music Education
Breaking the cycle of harm
For those of us who have moved through music education, we know it can be a space of growth, and also deep harm. In this episode of Music on Mushrooms, I’m sharing what I’ve learned over the past five years as a teacher, performer, and trauma-informed practitioner about what it really means to be a compassionate music educator.
This episode isn’t just for teachers. It’s also for students, collaborators, and anyone who has felt silenced or small in a music space. Because if we want to create a more equitable and inclusive artistic culture, we have to start by examining how we teach and how we’ve been taught.
Here’s what we dive into:
What being a “safe space” actually means as an educator
The emotional regulation and humility required to lead with care
The harm caused by unchecked egos, perfectionism, and hierarchy
Practical tools for nervous system regulation in the classroom
How a healthy ego fosters autonomy, safety, and trust in your students
Why boundaries, diversity, and feedback practices all matter more than we think
This episode is an invitation to take real inventory. Reflect on how you show up as a teacher, collaborator, or student. What patterns have you inherited? What internalized beliefs might need to be unlearned? And how can you begin shifting your spaces toward greater care, equity, and humanity? You don’t have to be perfect. But you do have power. Use it to model what’s possible. Start small. Stay open. And choose to lead with compassion. Your impact ripples further than you know.
Healing begins with how we choose to teach: through care, curiosity, and radical self-awareness. Compassionate education starts when we reimagine our music spaces as places of safety, connection, and belonging. Break the cycle. Teach with love.
Are you an artist with a unique story? I want to hear from you! I am now taking submissions to be a featured artist on my podcast. I invite you to join my network of musicians and artists who are hungry for innovation. I can’t wait to hear your story!
