What does it look like to be trauma-infused in the music classroom?
Since the pandemic, more and more educators are facing a shift in ensemble behavior, but we haven’t been given the tools or training to learn how to manage these new expectations as music directors.
This session offers a practical and compassionate introduction to trauma-aware music education. We’ll explore how trauma impacts the nervous system, behavior, focus, and musical expression, and how those responses can surface during rehearsal, often in subtle ways.
You’ll learn how to recognize dysregulation in students (like freezing, withdrawal, or overwhelm), and how to respond with grounded language, body-based tools, and a supportive presence.
We’ll move beyond theory and into practice, offering you real tools, sample scripts, and rehearsal-friendly strategies you can implement without becoming a therapist in the room. Leave with confidence to lead with care, and to create a space where every student feels safe to learn, express, and thrive.
Target Audience
All educators: Choir, Band, Orchestra
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Natasha Valdes
Natasha Valdes is a certified Trauma-Informed Voice Specialist and the creator of the Embodied Vocal Wellness Program. After years of vocal loss following trauma, Natasha studied the intersection of voice, nervous system healing, and somatic safety. She now helps music educators understand the unseen impacts of trauma in rehearsal spaces and equips them with accessible, embodied tools to support students and themselves. Her approach empowers educators to move from trauma-informed awareness to trauma-infused integration, making classrooms safer, more expressive, and more resilient.