In the context of teacher education, connection between scientific theory and practice through practical training in schools, is recognised as a particularly important process for the preparation of  pre-service teachers (Zeichner, 2010). This process results in students gaining educational experiences which will subsequently be generalized as practical knowledge. However, many factors influence this connection, often implicitly. For example, research has shown that pre-service teachers’ personal experiences as students can influence their beliefs about their future role as teachers, about what they expect from their first teaching experiences in the field, and about the role that students may contribute in the teaching-learning process, often independently of the theoretical knowledge that they have already gained during their university studies (Avgitidou, Tzekaki & Tsafos, 2015). 

At the Department of Music Science and Art at the University of Macedonia, during the final semester of their studies (8th semester), in the course "Introduction to the Practical Didactics of Music," students participate in organized visits to primary and secondary school units, observe music lessons, and subsequently engage in practical teaching of music. The aim of this study is to investigate the students’ beliefs before and after their practicum —beliefs that form their personal theories regarding music teaching in general education, the role of students, as well as their perceptions of their own competence and ability. Furthermore, the study seeks to detect potential changes in these beliefs and highlight the factors that influence them.

For data collection, two questionnaires with both open-ended and closed-ended questions were designed, to be completed by the students before and after their practicum in music teaching. The research is currently ongoing. It began in February 2025 and will be completed in June 2025. Quantitative data will be analyzed through descriptive statistics, and qualitative data through content analysis (Tsiolis, 2015).

• Music and sound education experiences, values, and practices

Dimitra Koniari (PhD) serves as Laboratory Teaching Personnel (Department of Music Science and Art, University of Macedonia). She is a graduate of the Department of Music Studies (AUTh), holds a DEA in Cognitive Sciences (Free University of Brussels), and a PhD from the Department of Education and Social Policy (University of Macedonia). She is a member of EAS (European Association for Music in Schools), of GSME (Greek Society for Music Education), and head of the editorial board of the journal of GSME, "Music Education". Her research interests lie in the field of music psychology, music education and music neurodidactics.

Maria Tsaliki (PhD) was born and raised in Thessaloniki where she completed her studies at the University of Macedonia in the Department of Music Science and Art, specializing in piano. Afterwards she completed her Master's Degree in Music Pedagogy at the same Department and since 2023 she holds a PhD in Music Pedagogy. She has published articles in Greek scientific and music education journals and has participated in international conferences on music education and general education. She works as a music educator in primary public schools in Thessaloniki and privately as a piano instructor. She collaborates with the Department of Music Science and Art of the University of Macedonia as a postdoctoral researcher.

Maria Zachariadou (MMusEd) is a violinist, music educator, and a PhD candidate at the Department of Music Science and Art at the University of Macedonia. Her postgraduate studies in Music Education at Northwestern University (USA) and her extensive teaching experience in public education—primary, secondary, and higher—form the foundation of her pedagogical journey. Her teaching is characterized by the seamless integration of music with modern educational approaches. As an NLP Master Practitioner, she enhances creativity and psychological empowerment for both students and educators. With dedication to music and human potential, she strives to inspire new generations to discover their uniqueness through art.