District PD Days · Building Workshops · Virtual Sessions
A PD Day Built for Your Music Teachers.
Bryson Tarbet is a Kodály-trained elementary music specialist. Your music and arts staff spend every in-service learning strategies built for a classroom of 25 and a schedule that isn't theirs. He builds sessions for the room they actually walk into on Monday.
Why This Matters
Most Music Teachers Have Never Had PD Written for Them.
Here's how it usually goes. The specialists get sent to the same session as everyone else, hear about small-group reading strategies, and go back to a room where they see 600 students a week in 40-minute blocks. Or they get a music session so theoretical it never touches Monday.
That's the gap Bryson builds for. Every session is designed for the elementary music classroom as it actually exists — the schedule, the class sizes, the shared cart, the four grade levels before lunch, the kid who can't stay in the circle.
Bryson is also a neurodivergent educator, which means the inclusion work isn't theoretical. He's been the student who couldn't sit still, and the teacher figuring out what to do about it.
"…a higher level of relevance and integrity never before seen in my 30+ years in arts education."
Kristin LeeDirector of Arts & Magnet Programs
Lima City Schools
"His expertise helped teachers at all levels of experience… I came out with several ready-to-go ideas for my classroom."
Ernie StortsMusic Educator
Chesapeake Public Schools
"We left with actionable game plans to help us move forward in our own practices."
Rebecca Dias PacellaPresident
Kodály New Jersey
Universal Design in the Elementary Music Classroom
Getting every student into the room is the floor. This is about what happens after they get there.
Explore UDL's power to create truly differentiated music experiences. This session moves beyond theory, applying research to real classroom scenarios.
Teachers discover practical strategies to enhance engagement, representation, and expression for every learner, and analyze barriers through the five Domains of Accessibility — Bryson's framework for comprehensive inclusion.
They leave with tangible tools to build inclusive music classrooms where all students thrive.
The rest of the catalog
Other Sessions
Being a Repertoire Detective
Instead of finding repertoire that follows the curriculum, let the repertoire lead it.
Read more →UDL Through a Kodály Lens
UDL and Kodály pedagogy get framed as competing priorities. They aren't.
Read more →Maximizing Instructional Time
Transitions as instruction, not dead air. Moving 25 bodies without losing the room.
Read more →Reaching the Reluctant
For the upper-elementary students who've decided music isn't for them.
Read more →Curriculum Mapping Post-It Party
A hands-on working session. Teachers leave with a year mapped out.
Read more →Hosting a Family Folk Dance Night
The community event that fills the gym and costs almost nothing.
Read more →Making it fit
Working Within Your PD Budget.
PD dollars are finite and the arts line is usually the smallest one. I'd rather find a way than lose the date — here's what districts and buildings do most often.
Share the Day
Bring in a neighboring district, or pull specialists from every building into one room. One fee, one day, and your teachers get a bigger cohort out of it.
Catch Him While He's Traveling
If Bryson is already in your region for another booking, travel costs drop substantially. Ask about dates near ones already on the calendar.
Start Virtual
A virtual session is the lowest-cost way to reach your staff, and it works well when teachers are spread across buildings. Many districts start here and book in person the following year.
Use the Funds You Have
These sessions are routinely paid out of building PD budgets, district in-service funds, or Title II-A. Purchase orders are welcome and a W-9 is available on request.
Book More Than One Day
Consecutive days cost less per day, since travel is only paid once. Districts running multiple buildings often split a two-day visit across sites.
Hold a Date for Next Cycle
If the funds aren't there until the new fiscal year, a date can still be held now at the current rate. Nothing is owed until the year turns over.
Who's showing up
About Bryson
Bryson Tarbet, M.M.Ed., taught PK–6 general music before he taught teachers, and he never really stopped. He's Kodály-trained, earned his M.M.Ed. at Capital University, and has spent the last several years building the professional development he wished existed when he was the only music teacher in his building.
That work became the Elementary Music Summit®, which has now reached 40,000+ educators, and Elementary Music EDGE™ — a membership for elementary music teachers who want support that doesn't stop when the PD day ends.
Everything he teaches comes from a classroom, including his own. His goal is simple: that no music teacher has to sit through another PD day that wasn't meant for them.
Where We've Been
Virtual anywhere. In-person travel from Columbus, Ohio.
References
What They Said Afterward.
"Our music team had the honor of spending a whole day with Bryson. It was the best PD ever! While we were singing and playing music games, he seamlessly added modifications to help us be more inclusive of all learners… All of us took away ideas we can implement immediately and strategies to work on over time. We felt recognized for our efforts and empowered to do more for our students."
Kathy SmithElementary Music Specialist, Lancaster City Schools"We are a small, rural school system with limited budgets and Title 1 schools… Your PD session provided content specific, relevant, applicable information and practices that can be utilized by both veterans and new teachers alike. I speak on behalf of our music department when I say that your PD has, by far, been our favorite PD!"
Lynn VarianSouthampton County Public Schools"Bryson's workshop was clear, practical, and full of helpful strategies our teachers could use immediately. His real-world examples made inclusive teaching feel approachable, not intimidating, and our team walked away feeling more confident and better equipped to support every student in their lessons."
Kay BarkerChief Education Officer, Musicologie Franchising"I am so glad that we were able to schedule such a valuable event. I am inspired to try some of the new strategies that Bryson introduced for my classroom… I would love to set up another PD in the fall to expand more on the topics we touched upon."
Kimberly GarzonRavenswood City School District"It offered practical strategies such as using varied formats for instruction, allowing diverse ways for students to demonstrate learning, and incorporating choice and interactive activities to boost engagement… Thoughtful preparation and flexibility are essential for supporting all learners."
Christina RodgersWaterloo Catholic District School Board, Ontario"Bryson gave specific ideas that can be immediately implemented in the elementary music classroom… He is very knowledgeable, passionate and an inspirational speaker. I found many pieces I will bring to my classroom and teaching practice on Monday."
Session feedbackGETCA 2025, EdmontonNo mystery pricing
Formats & Investment
| Format | Best for | Starting at |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual — 60 or 90 min | Staff meetings, multi-building sessions | $750 |
| Half day, in person | Building in-service, district PD days | $1,800 |
| Full day, in person | District PD days, multi-building institutes | $2,800 |
| Conference session | State & national conferences | Let's talk |
Before you write
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should we book?
Most districts book 6–12 months out once the PD calendar is set, and fall in-service dates go first. Shorter timeline? Ask anyway — things move.
Can you build a session specific to our staff?
Yes — most of what Bryson delivers started as a custom request. Tell him what your teachers are actually struggling with and he'll build the session around it, rather than adapting something off the shelf.
Can you align this with our district initiative?
Yes, and most districts do. If you're rolling out UDL, MTSS, a new curriculum, or an equity focus, say so — the session gets built to support it, so your specialists aren't getting a competing message.
Do you work with non-Kodály groups?
Constantly. Bryson's Kodály training informs the approach, but sessions are built for mixed rooms — Orff, Kodály, eclectic, and teachers with no methodology training at all.
Can our teachers get contact hours?
Bryson can provide an agenda, learning objectives, and attendance verification for your teachers to submit. Approval happens on your end, since requirements vary by state — but he'll supply whatever documentation you need.
We only have one or two music teachers. Is this worth it?
Often yes — a virtual session or a shared date with a neighboring district makes the math work, and your specialists are usually the staff getting the least targeted PD all year. Send your numbers and you'll get an honest answer about whether it's worth the line item.
Do you present at conferences?
Yes — breakout sessions, featured sessions, and keynotes. Proposal-ready session descriptions, bio, and headshot are available on request.
Tell Us What You're Looking For
Two minutes on the form — your group, your goals, your date window, your budget. You'll get a straight answer about fit, availability, and cost. No sales call, no pressure, and an honest answer if he isn't the right fit.
Check Your DatesNeed to make the case to your board? Download the One-Page Overview →