Nan McDonald is an associate professor and coordinator of Music Education at San Diego State University's School of Music and Dance. She has over 25 years of experience, has authored numerous articles for educational publications, and is a regular columnist for Music Express. Douglas Fisher is an associate professor in the College of Education at San Diego State University. He is also the co-author, with Nancy Frey, of Responsive Curriculum Design in Secondary Schools, also published by ScarecrowEducation.