What is emotional risk and how does it affect our teaching? Learning how students perceive and respond to emotional risk can inform much of what we (and our students) do in our classrooms. In this session, we will discuss concepts and strategies to scaffold emotional risk, helping all students feel safe and welcome to fully participate in active music making. Be prepared to engage in large and small group strategies that you can use with your students, as well as learn about the psychology behind these strategies to help reach all of your students in a meaningful way.