Arts Educators Save the World

Ever wonder how musicians who don’t go to music school learn to play? Professor of video games and informatics Kurt Squire gives us the gift of his mentor, the greatest living harmonica player Mickey Raphael and their virtual mentorship relationship. You will not want to miss hearing how Mickey has played with everyone from Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson to U2 and Snoop Dogg, and how he has taught everyone from our friend Kurt to greats like Paul Simon and Bob Dylan! For real!

Music director, composer, and virtuoso pianist Dan Lipton has performed at the White House, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, on Live with Kelly Ripa, The Today Show, PBS Great Performances, Late Show with David Letterman, and with major symphony orchestras across the country. He has also been in my life since we were 13. He even wrote the music to this podcast. So the thrill of hearing him talk with his musical mentor, Gena Raps is an episode you won’t want to miss. And the Easter egg? We've got archival audio of a high-school-age Dan Lipton playing Rhapsody in Blue! It's the best!

We launched this podcast in Season One with a conversation between Lin-Manuel Miranda, Robert Lopez, and Ms. Barbara Ames, who was not only their mentor (and elementary school music teacher), but Erica's as well. We now end Season Two with Bradley Whitford, whose mentor (and university theater professor) was, in fact, Alek's as well. Bradley Whitford is, of course, a three-time Emmy Award-winner actor, known for his work on THE WEST WING, TRANSPARENT, and now, as the enigmatic Commander Joseph Lawrence on THE HANDMAID'S TALE. As Brad explains, he's "now at the age when his mentors are no longer... mentoring." So we are thrilled to have with us Paul Milisch, the producing director of theater at Madison East High School, where a certain Mr. Whitford was a student years ago. Without further ado, enjoy this fantastic conversation about acting, directing, mentorship, and arts education--and we confront Brad's fundamenal question about students' access to the arts: "Are we expanding opportunity, or are we preserving privilege?" Follow Bradley: X: @bradleywhitford IG: @bradleywhitford

Join Emmy-nominated Chelsea Devantez, a versatile TV writer known for her work on Girls5Eva, and Anne Libera, the Director of Comedy Studies at The Second City. They dive into how arts education nurtures individuality and helps comedians shape their identities. Chelsea shares her journey of rapid skill growth through intensive training, while Anne explains the importance of comedic structure. They discuss using comedy as a tool for meaningful conversation and how improvisation benefits professionals. Plus, learn about their exciting upcoming projects!

Let the Storm Rage on, because You'll Be Back! It's Part 2 of our conversation with Robert Lopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and their elementary school music teacher, Barbara Ames, where they discuss composition, performance, and reminisce about their school's auditorium... the room where it happened.

In this bonus episode, Erica talks with our good friend, writer Daniel Pollack-Pelzner about the myriad wonderful stories he encountered—ALL of them inspiring and ON POINT—while researching his new biography Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist (Simon & Schuster). EXTRA! EXTRA! Listen all about it... in this bonus episode where Erica talks with friend of the pod and author Daniel Pollack-Pelzner about his new book, Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist. You will love the myriad wonderful stories he encountered - ALL of them inspiring and ON POINT - and focused on teaching and learning with the mind, the body, and the heart.

In this episode... Wait for It... then Let it Go. Lin-Manuel Miranda (HAMILTON, ENCANTO) and Robert Lopez (FROZEN, BOOK OF MORMON) together in their first ever joint interview, sit down with their shared elementary school music teacher, Barbara Ames. The trio discuss Barbara's dedication to instilling a love of music and the arts in all her students, and we hear stories about (and long-lost audio clips from) Lin and Bobby's early work on the elementary school stage.

To round out the summer and mosey back into the school year over the next few weeks, we'll be revisiting a few of our favorites episodes from prior seasons. For any new listeners, be sure to check out our back catalogue -- we've got some DOOZIES!! In this episode, Broadway's reigning Tony-award winner for Best Actor, Jonathan Groff (Merrily We Roll Along, oh yeah, and Frozen, oh yeah, and Hamilton), and his elementary school music teacher, Linda Tough, talk about music-making, education, and their shared passion for "I Love Lucy."

As we gear up for a new school year, we're bringing you a special episode from our friend Betsy Burris called "Pre-school teachers have it right: Professional Love." In this episode, Betsy interviews her old and dear friend, Sarah Becker, who has been teaching and teaching teachers and directing at the early childhood level for years. They discuss a topic that has always fascinated Betsy (ever since she first met Sarah and saw her in action): What do early childhood educators know that the rest of us teachers, from elementary through graduate school, can afford to learn? In this conversation, you'll hear about:* basic tenets of early childhood education* how those tenets apply at other educational levels* emergent and project-based curriculum* the concept of “professional love” (great concept!)* what you can do tomorrow that will make you more present and effective whatever and wherever you teach The new season of TTE drops September 4th! And Betsy also just shared a wonderful back to school episode for teachers to get them through those first weeks that are always exciting and challenging. Get weekly practical tips and heartfelt stories to navigate relationships and really connect with one another for a change. Sometimes for teachers, mostly for everyone. https://www.teachingthroughemotions.com

Live and in person! Arts Educators Save the World kicks off our new series of super hero interviews, in partnership with the Comic-Con Museum, with a live recording at The Con with Marvel comics writer Gerry Duggan (X-men, Deadpool) and DC comics writer Heath Corson (Justice League, Bizarro). Listen to them discuss their creative evolution, their mentors, and how those lessons forged them into the artists they are today!