Think Out Loud

How music educators in Oregon are handling their first year in the classroom

By Gemma DiCarlo (OPB)
Oct. 8, 2026 1 p.m.

Broadcast: Thursday, Oct. 8

With both education and arts funding facing cuts across the country, it’s not an easy time to be a school music teacher. Research shows that music educators have been leaving the field in recent years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. But there are still young professionals who are entering the classroom in Oregon.

Charles Torok is a music instructor at Antonia Crater Elementary in Newberg, and Brenda Olvera is a general music and choir teacher at Monmouth Elementary. They join us to share what draws them to music education and how their first year in the classroom is going.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

“Think Out Loud®” broadcasts live at noon every day and rebroadcasts at 8 p.m.

If you’d like to comment on any of the topics in this show or suggest a topic of your own, please get in touch with us on Facebook, send an email to thinkoutloud@opb.org, or you can leave a voicemail for us at 503-293-1983.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR: