Michael Currie
Michael has been a music educator in Metro Nashville Public Schools for over fifteen years. He is currently the music specialist at Sylvan Park Elementary in West Nashville, where he teaches kindergarten through the fifth grade.
He takes a “hands on” approach to music education, putting instruments in his students’ hands as often as possible, and believes in what he calls the ”power of performance” – the idea that the process of learning, rehearsing, and performing a collection of songs that tell a story is an invaluable experience for elementary music students of all ages. All grade levels at Sylvan Park take part in their own unique performance each year.
Michael is an avid composer and has written a variety of songs for the classroom and the stage, including several of the musicals that his students perform. “The Journey” is one such example and is his first published work. He enjoys playing a variety of instruments, primarily focusing on the piano and guitar.
Michael has a bachelor’s degree in Professional Music from the Berklee College of Music and a Master of Music in music education from Belmont University. He was named a Music Teacher of Excellence by the CMA Foundation in 2016.
Michael Currie
eBooks by Michael Currie
Posts by Michael Currie
Using Lyrics as a Springboard for Songwriting with Students
Using Lyrics as a Springboard for Songwriting with Students [...]
Music By the People, For the People of Palestine
Established in 1993, the Edward Said National Conservatory of [...]
Research to Practice: Standards-Based Instruction
Consider what we are intentionally or unintentionally saying we value based on what we cover with our students throughout their time in our classrooms. And, just like that, a conversation about standards-based instruction has entered the chat.
Affirmation and Celebration: the F-flat Grammy Nominees
The Grammys have long been associated with all the [...]
Research to Practice: Self-Care is More Than Finding Your “Why”
I was speaking with a student teacher about experiencing burnout symptoms and why finding their preferred self-care practices is important. In our discussion, I had mentioned that the most commonly stated piece of advice (whether given as real advice or delivered with an eye roll) is to remember your “why.” Our discussion was helpful, but I realized that the field of teaching can be just as rewarding as it is prickly.
Let’s Play! Supporting the Creative Process in Music Class
Change and Growth I'm back. It has been a while. [...]