What if giving students meaningful responsibility could help them grow into the leaders, innovators, and thinkers that colleges, employers, and the 21st century demands? This clinic explores practical strategies for developing student leadership roles that build ownership, accountability, and real-world skills. By empowering students as collaborators, organizers, and leaders, teachers can focus more on musicality and creativity while preparing students for future academic and professional success. Sharing responsibility not only fosters student growth, but it also lightens the teacher’s load and creates a more collaborative, energized classroom. Whether teaching band, choir, orchestra, or modern ensembles, this clinic will equip teachers to cultivate an atmosphere where students grow far beyond their role as performers.
Target Audience
Secondary Music Teachers - Instrumental & Choral, can be Middle or High School
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Natalie Laurie
Taft Charter High School
Natalie Laurie is currently the Director of Instrumental Music at Taft Charter High School, where they run an award-winning program and teach AP Music Theory. Prior to their appointment, they worked as the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at UC Davis and taught elementary music in EGUSD. Facilitating spaces for students to authentically engage, feel supported, and challenge themselves to higher levels of musicianship is central to their teaching pedagogy. A firm believer in equitable access to music, they particularly enjoy working with musicians of various backgrounds and age groups to foster a life-long curiosity for music. With a background in neuroscience research and student affairs, they are passionate about interdisciplinary study, merging scientific inquiry with the creative expression of music. Natalie’s research interests include music cognition, applications of neuroscience in music education, and performing arts medicine; and enjoy presenting their work at universities, secondary schools, and chamber music workshops.