The music educator is a peculiar breed. Expected to be musician and teacher in equal parts, the formation of music teachers in pre-service and in-service phases is critical. In this book, teachers reflect on their initial training and experiences to identify some of the knowledge, skills and attributes required in the music education to create vibrant environments for learning and teaching. Pre-service teachers' expectations of their university programs are mapped against experienced teachers' reflections on their education and accomplishments. As such, the volume provides anecdotes, suggestions and inspiration for teachers and teacher educators. It describes ways of creating a nexus between the training of pre-service teachers and the experiences of engaged, thriving practitioners to ensure survival through the critical first few years of teaching.