The TAA Talks podcasts seek to amplify the voices of the Tennessee Arts Academy community. Since 1986, the Tennessee Arts Academy has been America’s longest-running premier summer program for arts-based professional development in art, music, theatre and dance, and arts leadership. The Academy is held annually for six days in July on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Eligible participants include K–12 arts specialists, classroom teachers, and administrators from all 95 Tennessee counties. Spaces are also available for out-of-state participants, artists, college professors and pre-service teachers. The mission of the Tennessee Arts Academy is to provide exceptional quality professional development that includes training and access to cutting edge methodologies and resources, as well as support and encouragement through community and renewal. For more information you can visit the website at www.tnartsacademy.org or call the TAA office at 615-988-6250. The Tennessee Arts Academy Alumni Association was established by the Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation in 2009. The Tennessee Arts Academy Foundation is a 501c3 organization whose mission is to aid and assist in the Tennessee Arts Academy's growth and expansion.
"Arts Educators Bring Great Assets to the Table: How Leadership with An Arts Lens is a Superpower" with Kiera Crite
Join Kami Lunsford, TAA Director of Educational Programs and Events, and Kiera Crite, elementary music teacher from Franklin, TN, as they explore the great assets arts educators bring to school leadership, and how leading through an arts lens is a superpower! They'll also take a closer look at what the Arts Leadership & Administration Track at the TAA Summer Institute has to offer administrators, arts supervisors, and arts educators who are interested in leadership and advocacy. | K...
22 Dec 2025
"Making Magic On Purpose: How the Arts Create Lasting Impact"
Close out the first semester with Kami as she chats with Chris Taylor, TAA Visual Art facilitator, about the real magic that happens in arts education classes every day in this episode - "Making Magic On Purpose: How the Arts Make a Lasting Impact." It's a great listen as you recharge and set intention for the second half of the school year! Christopher Taylor was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and now lives in Nashville, where he teaches art at Fall-Hamilton Elementary School. Althou...
30 Sept 2025
"Rooted in Relationships: How Collaboration Can Foster Student & Community Investment" With Paula Medlin
Grab a cup of coffee and join Kami as she talks with Paula Medlin, the Trio Track Coordinator for the TAA Summer Institute. They'll discuss how it really is "all about relationships" when it comes to making an impact in the arts classroom and school community. Paula gives insights on how the trio track is beneficial to everyone who works in education, and why this year's TAA Summer Institute is one you will not want to miss! Paula Medlin is a retired choral director with a lifelong pass...
27 May 2025
“The Importance of Arts to the Middle School Mind: Creating Space for Belonging”
Kami interviews Kathy Coffey, a retired visual art educator, about the importance of arts education in middle school, highlighting how it helps students navigate change and express themselves.
24 Apr 2025
"The Fun is in the Work: How Theatre Education Promotes Citizenship & Personal Growth"
Join Kami as she interviews special guest Pollyanna Parker about all the many resources she has learned from TAA year-round programs over the years and how they shaped her career as a theatre educator. This time of reflection will surely refresh your focus as you finish up a year of lasting connections made in your arts classrooms! Pollyanna Parker is an experienced educator with more than three decades of service in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, where she has taught ...
23 Mar 2025
“Art Can Build Confidence: Helping Students Realize Their Power to Respond as an Individual” with Emily McEneely
Join us as Emily McEneely shares how arts education classes are a big opportunity to build community and confidence and how this can be important for both students and teachers. She gives tips on how to make your department more valued and recognized and reflects on how collaboration is key for personal progress. Emily McEneely teaches PK-3 visual art at Sam Houston Elementary School in Maryville, TN. She also serves as the East Tennessee Regional Representative for the TAA Alumni Association...
19 Feb 2025
"1% Better Every Day: How to Create "Buy-In" With Students & Administration" with Kerry Vaughn
Join Kami as she talks shop with Kerry Vaughn who has some tips for cultivating a relationship with your administration and staff, some must-have resources and tools for the middle school band room, and wisdom about getting our students to commit to progress on a daily basis. Kerry Vaughn is a seasoned band director at Spring Station Middle School in Spring Hill, TN, where he has made a lasting impact for over 12 years. Vaughn has dedicated his career to shaping the musical education of stude...
16 Jan 2025
"What We Do Is Magic: How Connectivity Can Be Self Care For Arts Educators & Their Students" with Erica Holmes Darr
Erica Holmes Darr encourages us to "take a breath" and explore how building community can make meaningful change in our creative spaces! Erica is a passionate and dedicated music educator who began her teaching career in 2003 after earning a degree in Vocal Music Education from Austin Peay State University. Throughout her career, Darr has taught a wide range of music classes to students in grades 5-12, and currently serves as the 7th and 8th grade chorus teacher at Freedom Middle School ...
20 Nov 2023
"The Acceptance Piece: How Art Education Can Change Their World" with David Reynolds
David Reynolds, TAA Art Facilitator, shares how art gives kids "life tools" that can help them create a better world. He also gives some really great advice for new & pre-service teachers! David has taught for twelve years and is currently the Elementary Visual Arts teacher at Moore Elementary in the Franklin Special Schools District in Franklin, TN. He serves as Commissioner for the City of Franklin Public Arts Commission, Association Representative for the FSSDEA and TEA, and Tenn...
4 Nov 2022
"The Power of Creative Choice is Priceless" with Darlene Tanner, TAA Alumni Association West TN Regional Rep
Darlene Tanner, one of our West TN Regional Representatives for the TAA Alumni Association, encourages us to unlock the power of choice in fine arts classes! She is a visual art educator who teaches K-5th Grades at University School of Jackson in Jackson, TN. Born to missionary parents, she grew up in Japan, and her journey led her to Tennessee where she studied art at Union University. She and her husband David have raised three children and a llama business, served as Mast...
20 Jun 2022
"Celebrating Failure with Your Students" with Michelle Tripp, TAA Alumni Association Middle TN Regional Rep
Michelle Tripp, TAA Alumni Association Middle TN Regional Representative, reflects on the power of theatre education and shares some fruitful finds that make performances easier for directors in 2022! Michelle grew up in the Middle Tennessee area and now lives in Murfreesboro. She will begin her 25th year of teaching this upcoming school year and has taught theatre, film, and speech at Page High School in Franklin for the past 14 years. When she is not directing a school or community theatre ...
14 Apr 2022
"Letting Go to Grow" with William Bodley, TAA Alumni Association West TN Regional Rep
William Bodley, Jr., TAA Alumni Association West TN Regional Representative, reflects on the 2021-2022 school year, and shares with us what strategies he's keeping and which ones he's letting go. William has served as the band director at Treadwell Middle School in Memphis, Tennessee for nine years. Originally from Mobile, AL, he attended Alabama A&M University and continued his education at the University of Memphis studying saxophone. After volunteering at middle and high schools during...
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