The Chaotic Harmony Podcast is created for elementary music teachers by elementary music teachers. The podcast chronicles the genesis and continued development of four music programs in Southern California by Crystal Pridmore, Jon Seligman, Marc Keehmer. Each of these educators is working in schools 5-10 miles from the US/ Mexico border in schools with high rates of poverty that had not supported music education programs for more than the previous three decades. They share the joys and challenges of teaching music in the elementary school music room.

Crystal Pridmore has been teaching music for 12 years as a private voice instructor, secondary choir director, early childhood music specialist, and PreK-8 general music teacher.

She currently runs the general music, choral, and strings program for PreK-6th grade students at Finney Elementary School.

She holds a BA in Music Education and MA in Teaching from Point Loma Nazarene University and California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music. She proudly serves as a member of the MUSICALumni Auxiliary board for her alma mater. She actively serves throughout the community as a singer and choir member and frequently collaborates with other musicians in various capacities.

In addition, Crystal has completed level certification in Orff-Schulwerk, serves as the San Diego American Orff-Schulwerk Association Chapter President, and is a Director for the American Center for Elemental Music and Movement.

Jonathan Seligman has been teaching choir, concert band, ukulele, and general music for TK-6th grade at Casillas Elementary for 6 years, creating a new music community from the ground up. Academically, Seligman has received his B.Mus in Music Composition and a MA in Teaching from Point Loma Nazarene University, bearing a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music and Special Education. He has furthered his learning, being fully Orff-Schulwerk certified as well as being trained in Feierabend’s First Steps’s and Conversational Solfege’s methods. Accolades aside, Seligman’s mission in all his groups is to teach beyond music literacy and discipline. While they are vital, his goal first and foremost is for students to be exposed to the music of differing cultures and in tune with their musical expression.

Marc Keehmer is in his 5th year teaching as the music director of John J Montgomery Elementary School. During his career he has taught; elementary general music, beginning & intermediate band, choir, & private trumpet lessons.

He is a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education & a Music Single Subject California teaching credential. Marc also has completed level certification in Orff-Schulwerk, which is the base of his teaching foundation.

Lastly, Marc enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, drinking a cup of coffee, and cooking when he's not totally engulfed in music.