We’re pleased to introduce our collection of My Music with Rhainnon Giddens Teaching Resourses, new at Journeys in Film!
Season 2 of My Music with Rhiannon Giddens features Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens hosting a series of musical performance and conversation with multicultural musicians in the Silkroad Ensemble’s American Railroad project. The project presents a musical exploration of the cultures that were first connected by the building of America’s Transcontinental Railroad.
My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources FAQ
Why Use My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources In Your Classroom
My Music with Rhiannon Giddens is a powerful way to bring US history alive and explore the development of the Transcontinental Railroad during western expansion in the United States.
The series also deepens understanding and connection and can build community around the cultures that were first connected by the building of America’s Transcontinental Railroad
Tell Me More About This Series
Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens hosts a half-hour series of musical performance and conversation with multicultural musicians in the Silkroad Ensemble’s American Railroad project. The outstanding guest artists of the series are innovative and accomplished musicians and storytellers who have forged unconventional paths to find their voices.
Tell Me More About The Silkroad American Railroad Project
Originally conceived by Silkroad’s Artistic Director Rhiannon Giddens, the American Railroad project sheds light on the profound yet often-overlooked contributions of Indigenous and African Americans, as well as Chinese, Irish, Japanese, and other immigrant communities, to the construction of the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad and connecting railways across North America.
Just as the ancient Silk Road facilitated cultural exchange between Asia and Europe, the railroad transformed the American landscape—both uniting and dividing the people whose lives it touched. While these laborers played a fundamental role in one of the 19th century’s most significant technological and economic achievements, their stories have too often been erased from history. At the same time, the railways had a devastating impact on Indigenous communities, displacing people from their ancestral lands.
Tell Me More About The Musicians and Cultures Featured in Each Episode
My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 1: Wu Man
Host Rhiannon Giddens performs and talks with Chinese pipa master Wu Man, a 2023 NEA National Heritage Fellow who has been part of Silk Road Ensemble since its founding in 2000 by cellist Yo-Yo Ma. They talk about the origins of the pipa and discuss Silk Road’s multi-year “American Railroad” project.
Relevant for American Railroad and Chinese Immigrants and for Music Lessons or History through Music. Also teaching about Chinese music and about the pipa.
My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 2: Maeve Gilchrist
Host Rhiannon Giddens shares a musical visit with Celtic harpist Maeve Gilchrist in an historic North Carolina train station. They discuss the harp’s place in different musical traditions and talk about Maeve’s original composition for Silk Road Ensemble’s “American Railroad” project.
Relevant for American Railroad and Irish Immigrants and for Music Lessons or History through Music. Also for teaching Irish music and about the harp.
My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 3: Mazz Swift
Host Rhiannon Giddens visits with Black American musician Mazz Swift, a violinist, vocalist, and improvisational conductor whose musical journey includes education at Juilliard, playing music in the New York subway, and working with goats on a farm.
Relevant for American Railroad and Black History. Connects as well as to Neurodivergence, Music Lessons or History through Music.
My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 4: Sandeep Das
Sandeep Das from India is a virtuoso on the northern India drums called tabla, and his musical education included living for twelve years in the home of a famous guru. Sandeep and host Rhiannon share a visit in L.A.’s Union Station that concludes with a Silk Road Ensemble performance at U.C. Berkeley featuring the tabla.
My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 5: Haruka Fujii
Japanese percussionist Haruka Fujii talks with Rhiannon about the surprising history of the marimba in Japan and her own mission to spread the beauty of Japanese music to diverse audiences. They discuss Silkroad’s “American Railroad” project, and the episode ends with a performance of Fujii’s original composition “Tamping Song”.
My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 6: Pura Fé
Native American vocalist and lap steel guitarist Pura Fé has both Tuscarora and Taino blood in her veins and generations of ancestors in her voice. She shares her personal background and musical journey in an episode that culminates in a Silk Road Ensemble performance of her song “Mahk Jchi”.
Relevant for American Railroad and Indigenous/Native American History, Music Lessons or History through Music.
What Ages Is This Series For
My Music with Rhiannon Giddens is not rated. We recommend it for ages 8 and up.
What Are Available As My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources
1. My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources: American Railroad Curriculum Guide
This curriculum guide contains 11 lessons for teaching about the history of the American Transcontinental Railroad.
It’s available in two companion versions.
The American Railroad Instructional Guide
This guide is for teachers. It features accurate historical information regarding the development of the Transcontinental Railroad during western expansion in the United States. These classroom-ready lesson plans addressing the impact of the railroad’s progress on individuals and groups vital to the success of this national endeavor. The lessons are standard-based, with an emphasis on ELA and Social Science for middle school students.
The American Railroad Student Guide
This guide features printable student handouts for all 11 lessons. Each lesson includes a Share Out, a Daily Learning Target, a detailed Reading Process, and Discussion Questions. They also include related primary sources, terms to know, worksheets and activities.
Subjects: History, Social Studies, US History
Lesson Grades: 6, 7, 8
2. My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources: My Music Learning Guides
Learning Guides explore the themes and musicians featured in the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season Two. Guides are available for Episode 1 with Chinese pipa master Wu Man, Episode 2 with Celtic harpist Maeve Gilchrist, Episode 3 with Black American musician Mazz Swift, and Episode 6 with Native American vocalist and lap steel guitarist Pura Fé.
The Guides include background information, useful terms, related resources, extended learning activities. They are available in PDF and Google Slideshow formats.
There are also Extension Activities and two Printable Handouts available as separate downloads that work with any of the learning guides: a Music Listening handout and a Song Analysis Handout.
Subjects: Geography, History, Music, Social Emotional Learning, Social Studies, US History
Lesson Grades: 6, 7, 8
Who Should Teach with My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources
These resources are best for grades 6-8 (or middle school).
What Classes do the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources Work In
The My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources are suitable for classes in: Geography, History, Music, Social Emotional Learning, Social Studies, and US History.
What Themes Are Explored in the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources
The My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources explores of Asian American, Black American, Celtic/Irish American, LGBTQ and Native American culture, history and identity. The series also explores themes of settler colonialism, human rights, immigration, social emotional learning, and racial equity.
How Long is This Series
My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2 includes 6 episodes that are each 25 minutes long. It’s great for classroom use!
Where Can I Watch This Series
Get the latest information on where to watch from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens listing in the Journeys in Film Resource Library.
Where Can I Get the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Teaching Resources
Get your free copy of these teaching resources from the My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad page in the Journeys in Film Resource Library and learn more about teaching with this powerful and inspiring series.
What Other Media Can I Pair This Series With
Combine My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 1 about Chinese Pipa Master Wu Man with Please Vote for Me and The Music of Strangers for teaching about about China and Chinese culture.
Combine My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 3 about Black American Musician Mazz Swift with our Black History collection for teaching about Black History and Black Excellence.
Combine My Music with Rhiannon Giddens Season 2, Episode 4 about Indian tabla virtuoso Sandeep Das with Like Stars on Earth for teaching about India and Indian culture.
We also recommend the section on first-generation Egyptian-American immigrant Mimi Hannenein in Resisterhood to expand the conversation about American immigrant experiences.
If you’re teaching Middle School Geography, History and Social Studies, we also recommend: Children of Heaven (Iran), Like Stars on Earth (India), Please Vote for Me (China), The Cup (Tibet), The Way Home (South Korea), Wadjda (Saudi Arabia), and Whale Rider (Aotearoa / New Zealand).
Where Can I Get More Related Resources
Our Windows and Mirrors Media Literacy Activity gives students a way to consider if the perspectives of underrepresented and marginalized people are included in their media diets.
You can also check out our related resource collections for teaching with film about:
How Can I Do Professional Development Related to this Series
Silkroad Ensemble members will be participating in our free professional development webinar Teaching with Primary Sources: Cultural Products as Historical Narrative on January 27, 2026. Learn more and register for the series: Stories That Connect: Using Film and Primary Sources to Build Belonging
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My Music with Rhiannon Giddens / Teaching the American Railroad
