Inclusive Music Education That Works.

We help music educators and schools create accessible, high-performing music classrooms and ensembles through differentiated instruction, inclusive rehearsal strategies, and practical professional development—so every student can learn, play, and thrive.

About Modulating Minds

At Modulating Minds, we believe every student deserves the chance to make music—and every teacher deserves the tools to make that possible.

We partner with educators, administrators, and student musicians to build inclusive, accessible, and high-performing music classrooms. Our work focuses on helping teachers reach diverse and exceptional learners through differentiated instructional materials, practical professional development, and hands-on coaching.

From rehearsal clinics and resource design to full-scale professional learning programs, Modulating Minds provides real-world strategies for teaching special learners in musical spaces—without sacrificing musical excellence.

The goal is simple: to help schools create music programs where all students, regardless of ability level, can participate fully, learn deeply, and perform proudly.

Who We Help

Music educators are passionate, but they’re overwhelmed — expected to meet every learner’s needs with limited time, training, and support.
Modulating Minds bridges that gap with tools and training built for music classrooms, not adapted to them.

“Inclusive music education isn’t about lowering the bar — it’s about building a stage where every student can stand and play their part.”

  • Differentiated instructional materials

  • Inclusive rehearsal and classroom strategies

  • Professional learning for diverse student needs

  • Practical plug-and-play strategies for real music educators

  • Ongoing support for music educators and programs

Planning Period PD

Professional development that actually supports music teachers

Professional development that actually supports music teachers.
Through 10 interactive sessions and a 12-module self-paced course, educators learn how to differentiate instruction, manage diverse rehearsal rooms, and build inclusive classroom systems that last. Everything is designed to fit into a single planning period—no wasted time, just strategies that work.

Rehearsal Clinics and Workshops

Hands-on Coaching to strengthen ensemble performance and support teacher development

Hands-on coaching for real classrooms and real results.
Our rehearsal labs and workshops bring evidence-based inclusion practices directly to your ensemble. We help teachers refine tone production, pacing, and student engagement while adapting instruction for every learner—so the music improves and everyone belongs on stage.

Curriculum and Resource Design

Accessible materials aligned to standards and the Universal Design for Learning

Accessible materials built for modern music classrooms.
We create differentiated unit plans, adaptive resources, and performance assessments aligned to UDL and state standards. Whether you need a single inclusive lesson or a full-year framework, we design resources that help every student succeed without watering down the artistry.

Testimonials

As a first-year teacher, I was feeling very overwhelmed, but her tips for classroom management and organization made such a huge difference. My classroom runs smoother, I feel more confident, and I’m not running on fumes every day. Honestly, I don’t know how I would’ve made it through my first year without her help

— Music Teacher, GA

“The coaching gave me real strategies, not just theory.”

— New Teacher, Savannah

“Because of Dr. Washington, I now use more efficient techniques that allow my students to retain information and they are able to demonstrate these skills consistently.”

— Band Director, GA

Quickstart Differentiation Guide for Inclusive Music Classrooms

Get Your Free Differentiation Guide!

Adapt your teaching without overhauling your entire program. This free guide gives you Tier 1 strategies you can implement this week.

What You'll Get:
✅ Practical differentiation techniques
✅ Tiered ensemble strategies
✅ Visual reference for planning support levels

Grace Notes

The student who changed everything

The Student Who Changed Everything

November 28, 20251 min read

The Student Who Changed Everything

Every teacher has one—the student who reminded them why they started.

The one who cracked a joke that made the whole class exhale.

The one who finally believed you when you said, “You’re capable of more than you think.”

The one who made all the data meetings and sleepless nights feel a little more worth it.

That student probably didn’t realize it, but they gave you something rare: perspective.

They proved that your presence mattered in a way no evaluation form ever could.

It’s easy to lose sight of that when the year blurs together—when every new initiative, email, and expectation piles on top of what you already give.

But that story — your story with that student — is proof that connection is the true curriculum.

It’s the quiet evidence that what you do still changes something, even when the results aren’t immediate or measurable.

So this week, take a moment to remember them.

Write down what happened, what you learned, and what it felt like to see growth up close.

Keep it somewhere visible for the weeks that test your patience.

Capture that story in your Planning Period PD Reflection Journal. One paragraph is enough. You’re not just documenting a memory—you’re keeping your reason visible.

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Modulating Minds

Tuning education for every mind. PD & resources for music educators. Neurodiversity-affirming. Student-centered. Planning Period PD now enrolling!

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