The music education community has experienced a great loss with MusicPlay’s announcement of the sudden passing of their founder and legendary music educator, Denise Gagne. If you knew her or if you saw her in sessions, she was energetic and inspirational. She was a role model to music educators from around the world. She was extremely generous and would share her ideas, resources, content, knowledge, and so much more, so that music educators would feel successful in their classrooms.  

Denise was legendary in the field of elementary music education. I first met her before I had children, so over 15 years ago. She was presenting at NJMEA and I asked to be her presider. She had numerous sessions and I was thrilled to be able to introduce her in every session. Between sessions, she and I would talk about music technology. She was showing me her recorder play-along videos, which back then, almost no one created. She was lovely and delightful. When she finished her last session, she asked me which material I would like to take with me. I just adored her even more.

The next time I saw her in person became a huge fangirl moment for me. It was 2013 and I was giving a SMART Board session at TMEA. There, in the front row, was Denise! I acknowledged her in the audience because I was in awe of her. I also showcased some of her material. I recall her being one of the first people to create an app for the recorder.

Our next meeting was when we were both presenting at a workshop. She took me out to dinner and then I recall her showing me her first few drafts of the Musicplay Online website. I was so impressed by her ideas and the implementation of many of those ideas. She was cutting edge and I loved it. In Canada, she was integral to many music educators there as she presented in every province many times and her resources were far-reaching. I am sure numerous music educators have had similar, momentous memories of seeing her in a workshop, using MusicPlayOnline, spending summers on her tour around the States, jumping on a webinar with her, or finding her in a province in Canada and adoring all of her energy and expertise.

MusicPlay has asked, “in lieu of flowers, they kindly ask for contributions to be made to a memorial foundation dedicated to preserving Denise's legacy in music education. You can access the foundation at https://the-foundation.musicplay.ca/. The funds collected will be used to support and empower music teachers, carrying forward the inspiration and guidance Denise provided throughout her distinguished career.

Your generosity will not only honour Denise's memory but also contribute to the growth and enrichment of future generations of music students and teachers, a cause that was dear to her heart.”

This evening, my heart is broken. Denise has left an indelible mark and will be greatly missed. Denise, I will raise a glass of wine to you and I know that you are making music in Heaven, watching over your family, and shining your light for all to see.