Group Dynamic Youth Leadership & Travel

08/21/2026

Back to school time for the Music Ed Insights podcast! Check out today's episode and subscribe to hear Dr. Steve Shanley, Alan Feirer, and national thought leaders explore current issues in music education, with practical application for K-12 music educators. Available wherever you get your podcasts!

Tariffs affecting equipment? Why on earth is PD so generic? Your cohosts have some thoughts - and dare we say - insights that are current and relevant. Find the full episode here, or wherever you get your podcasts! https://www.musicedinsights.com/uncategorized/back-to-school-with-alan-and-steve/

08/06/2026

Learning and practicing new skills at our Youth Leadership Workshop in Cedar Falls today. Interactive fun! https://groupdynamicyouth.com/youth-leadership-workshop-alan-feirer/

08/04/2026

We love hearing feedback about the impact of our Youth Leadership Workshops! For more information and resources, visit https://groupdynamicyouth.com/.

07/28/2026

Thank you to Liberty High School Band for the shout-out in The Iowa Bandmaster magazine! It has been my pleasure to assist with student leadership in this fine organization. For more information about how the workshop content supports Belonging, visit: https://groupdynamicyouth.com/youth-leadership-workshop-alan-feirer/

07/23/2026

Thank you to Aaron Ottmar, Co-Director of Bands at Iowa City City High Bands, for sharing his thoughts about how the Youth Leadership Workshops by by Group Dynamic have evolved over time to meet needs.

07/20/2026

A favorite innovation in the last three years of youth leadership workshops: Participating staff get to be the experts, working with a mix of students from participating schools to help them practice what we've learned in real-world situations. Learn more about what to expect at a Group Dynamic Youth Leadership Workshop here: https://groupdynamicyouth.com/youth-leadership-workshop-alan-feirer/

07/09/2026

Proud to support music education and student leadership in the form of Celebration in Brass, hosted by the Colts and Ankeny Instrumental Music (AIM)! It was a fantastic show until the rain cut it short. Already looking forward to next year's show.

07/07/2026

Can a small band have the same high standards as a large one? Susan Smith says absolutely—and explains why culture matters more than numbers. Be sure to catch our interview with Susan Smith on the Music Ed Insights podcast, recorded live at IBA!

In this week's episode, which was recorded live at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference in May, Alan and Steve talk with Susan Smith of RWS Music Company about small band empowerment, smart repertoire choices, adjudication, and what it means to teach the students in front of you. Susan challenges the idea that smaller programs should have lower standards, reminding directors that success is about culture, musical growth, and meaningful experiences—not just size or ratings. Along the way, she offers practical advice for young teachers, festival judges, mentors, and anyone working to build a strong program with the kids they actually have. Become an Insider for just $5 per month: https://musicedinsights.supercast.com/

07/01/2026

As AI changes the way students learn, music classrooms continue to teach the things that matter most: listening, collaboration, problem-solving, resilience, and growth.

In the latest episode of the Music Ed Insights podcast, co-hosts Alan Feirer and Steve Shanley discuss why this moment presents one of the strongest opportunities yet to advocate for music education.

🎧 AI Can't Play Your Trumpet: Why Music Education Matters More Than Ever is available now wherever you listen to podcasts.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts or at MusicEdInsights.com.

06/18/2026

A Group Dynamic Leadership Workshop isn't a "sit and get" experience. Throughout the day, students meet in their school groups to reflect on what they've learned, discuss how it applies to their team, and prepare to put those ideas into practice.