About Us
Two orchestra teachers, countless conversations, and a shared passion for making string education better.
Jessica Wahl
Co-Host
Jessica Wahl has spent 17 years teaching public school music in Wisconsin. She currently teaches 5th grade strings in Madison Metropolitan School District, and previously taught middle school orchestra and elementary general music in Madison and eastern Wisconsin.
She holds a Bachelor's in Music Education from UW-Eau Claire and a Master's in Teaching, Learning and Assessment from National Louis University. Her teaching focuses on Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance, culturally responsive pedagogy, and making orchestra accessible to all students.
Outside school, Jessica plays violin in chamber groups and pit orchestras, tinkers on piano and electric bass at home (her husband is a guitarist, so the house is never quiet), and somehow finds time to train for triathlons and tend her garden.
Janet Heinemann
Co-Host
Janet Heinemann brings 20 years of public school music teaching to the podcast. She currently teaches middle and high school orchestra in suburban Madison, after years of teaching K-8 choral, general, and string music in urban Madison schools.
She earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Music Education from UMass Amherst, and later completed her Master of Music in Music Education with Kodaly Emphasis at Lakeland University. She's particularly interested in Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance, social justice in music education, and bringing general music methodology into the instrumental rehearsal.
When she's not teaching, Janet plays violin in local chamber ensembles, directs vocals for her school's musical, and goes on runs and hikes near her Madison home, where she lives with her string-playing kids.
About Teaching Orchestra Pod
Teaching Orchestra Pod started in 2021 when two Wisconsin orchestra teachers realized they spent most of their professional development days talking to each other about the real challenges of the job. The stuff that doesn't always get covered in workshops and conferences.
We wanted to create a space for honest conversations about orchestra teaching: the triumphs, the struggles, and everything in between.
What We Talk About
- Practical classroom strategies that you can use tomorrow
- Honest discussions about the challenges we all face
- Resource sharing because we don't need to reinvent the wheel
- Guest interviews with teachers, musicians, and industry experts
Our Philosophy
We believe that:
- Every student can be successful in orchestra
- Teaching is a craft that requires constant learning
- Supporting each other makes us all better
- Humor helps us survive the tough days
Connect With Us
We love hearing from listeners! Whether you have a question, a topic suggestion, or just want to say hi, reach out anytime.
What We Believe
The principles that guide our teaching and our podcast.
Every Student Can Succeed
With the right support and environment, all students can find joy and growth in orchestra.
Teaching Is a Craft
We never stop learning. Every year brings new challenges and new opportunities to grow.
Community Matters
Supporting each other makes us all better teachers. We rise by lifting others.
Humor Helps
Sometimes you just have to laugh. A little levity goes a long way on tough days.