About Darlene

Darlene Machacon (she/her/hers) is a passionate and accomplished Filipina-American music educator with extensive experience in both the classroom and as a leader in the field of social-emotional learning (SEL) and culturally responsive teaching. As a music educator and content creator residing in southern California, Darlene has dedicated her career to reimagining the ways in which general and choral music education can be inclusive, culturally relevant, and transformative for students in a post-pandemic world. 

Darlene earned her Master of Music in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in 2022, where she conducted research on the impact of Transformative SEL in elementary general music classrooms. She holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Piano Performance from Biola University.

Currently, Darlene teaches at La Quinta High School in Orange County, California, where she directs three choirs and teaches other courses such as piano and AP Music Theory. Under her leadership, the school’s choirs consistently earn superior ratings and within one year of her teaching, enrollment has more than doubled in size. In addition, Darlene also serves as a key advisor for Tri-M Music Honor Society and Girl’s League. 

In addition to her classroom work, Darlene serves as an adjunct professor every summer at VanderCook College of Music’s MECA program, where she teaches a course on Culturally Responsive SEL for K-12 music classrooms. 

Darlene has made significant contributions to music education through her work with several national organizations. She is a secondary curriculum contributor for the NAMM Foundation. As a visionary board member for F-Flat Books, Darlene collaborates with educators and authors to shape the future of music education, ensuring equity and access for all students. Darlene is also a sought-after speaker and panelist, regularly presenting at conferences such as the California All-State Music Educators Conference (CASMEC), The NAMM Show, National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Hal Leonard, and Save the Music, discussing the intersections and importance of SEL and music education. Topics of her presentations include the integration of SEL and culturally responsive teaching, social justice in music education, and breaking Eurocentric cycles in music curricula.

Darlene’s contributions to the field have been widely recognized, with her work being featured in notable publications such as Teaching Music magazine and the Recording Academy Grammy Awards website. She has written extensively on the transformative power of SEL in music education, including her articles on anti-racist and anti-bias practices in the music classroom. Her writing and even episodes from her podcast, Coloring the Melody, have been used for professional development and university courses. Her recognition as a 2022 National Recipient of the Country Music Association (CMA) Foundation’s Music Teacher of Excellence Award further highlights her dedication to advancing music education for marginalized students. 

As the content creator behind the account handle @TheDarlingMusicTeacher on TikTok and Instagram, Darlene has built a thriving community of almost 20,000 followers across platforms and accumulated more than 4 million views on engaging and insightful music education content. For the past several years, her posts consistently achieve high engagement, showcasing her ability to connect with educators and drive meaningful conversations around equity, inclusion, and innovative teaching practices.

Through reflective prompts, actionable strategies, and relatable insights, Darlene’s social media platform has become a trusted resource for thousands of educators worldwide, inspiring them to reimagine and challenge traditional music education for today’s diverse classrooms.

Looking forward, Darlene remains dedicated to advancing the practice of challenging music education. Whether through her classroom, social media presence, professional presentations, or curriculum contributions, she continues to be a leading voice in advocating for inclusive and student-centered music education that prioritizes both academic success and emotional well-being. One of Darlene’s goals is to inspire a new generation of educators to create environments where every student feels valued, heard, and empowered to reach their fullest potential through music. 

Darlene is available for brand collaborations and professional development. To work with Darlene, please contact her here.

Testimonials

  • “Darlene Machacon has quickly emerged as a rising star in music education. She expertly melds deep beliefs and philosophy with practical implementation strategies. Darlene is a leader as we all try to better understand and meet the needs of our students through music education.”

    Scott N. Edgar, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Music, Lake Forest College 

  • “I have had the pleasure of experiencing Darlene’s work in music education, and her authenticity shines through in every word she writes. Her deep commitment to social emotional learning sets her apart, as she seamlessly integrates these principles into her music education strategies. Darlene’s workshops are a transformative experience, challenging teachers to do the inner work necessary to become the best for their students. Her genuine passion for both music and education is evident, and she inspires educators to not only teach but to connect deeply with their students. Darlene’s approach is not just about imparting knowledge, but about fostering a nurturing and emotionally intelligent learning environment. She truly is a beacon of authenticity and dedication in the field of music education.”

     Franklin Willis, Director of Visual and Performing Arts, Metro Nashville Public Schools

  • “Darlene Machacon is one of the most captivating speakers and writers in our field. Not only is she incredible at breaking down large ideas into understandable, actionable concepts, but she is also skilled in connecting educators across disciplines to inspire change. Through her scholarly work, editorial writing, and speaking across the country, she has positioned herself to be an invaluable resource for organizations seeking support in critical areas related to social emotional learning and culturally responsive practices.”

    Sarah Gulish, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of F-flat Books