What Is Your Walk-In Song? Using Music to Spark Creativity
What is your walk-in song?
I recently facilitated a workshop called Make It Swing, Make It Ring, a session focused on bringing music and movement into creative learning spaces. As I prepared, I revisited Infusing Creative Thinking into Higher Education and rediscovered a wonderful idea from my colleague Erica Swiatek.
At the beginning of the semester, she asks her students a simple question:
“What is your walk-in song?”
Then, at the end of the term, she surprises them by playing that song as they walk up to deliver their final presentation.I love this idea because it is playful, affirming, and deeply human. It communicates that how you show up matters.
Why a Walk-In Song Matters in Creative Learning
A walk-in song is more than a fun classroom activity. It is a signal of identity and intention.When students choose a song, they are making a statement about who they are and how they want to be perceived. They are stepping into a mindset before they even begin speaking.
In creative learning environments, those small emotional cues make a difference.
My Walk-In Song
After revisiting this idea, I began thinking about my own walk-in song.
It is an anthem about showing up fully, even when things feel messy or uncertain. The lyrics remind me to be present, to connect deeply, and to embrace the moment as it is rather than wishing it were different.
When I listen to it before a keynote or workshop, it grounds me. It shifts my energy and reconnects me to my purpose. It is less about performance and more about presence.
Extending the Idea Beyond Presentations
The concept of a walk-in song does not need to be limited to final presentations.
What if you had one for faculty meetings, writing sessions, difficult conversations, or even your morning commute? Imagine creating playlists based on intention, such as focus, courage, playfulness, or reflection.
Music can help us transition between roles. It can calm nerves before teaching or elevate energy before facilitating. In creative work, those transitions matter.
Music and Creativity in Education
Research continues to explore how music influences mood regulation, motivation, and cognitive flexibility. While not every song enhances creativity, intentional use of music can increase positive affect and reduce anxiety, both of which support creative thinking.
In classrooms, music can also build community. When students hear one another’s walk-in songs, they learn something about each other beyond academic performance.
It becomes a moment of recognition.
A Simple Creative Classroom Activity
If you would like to try this in your classroom, begin by asking students to submit their walk-in song at the start of the semester, along with a brief explanation of why they chose it.
At the final presentation or showcase, play each student’s song as they approach. Afterwards, invite reflection.
Did the song influence your mindset? Did it change how you felt presenting? Would you choose the same song again? This small practice can build agency, emotional awareness, and confidence, all of which support creativity.
If you had to choose a walk-in song that represents how you want to show up in your work or life, what would it be? Not just your favorite song, but the one that reflects your intention.
I would love to hear your choice.
Dr. Cyndi Burnett
My Bio
Dr. Cyndi Burnett is the Director of Possibilities for Creativity and Education. Like her creativity-focused curriculum for students and teachers, Cyndi embraces the creative lifestyle that she teaches. You will often find her trying on new ideas, exploring resources to stretch her thinking, and being an advocate for playfulness and humor. Although she loves to research and write about creativity, Cyndi is a firm believer in field service. She has 20 years of teaching experience as an academic at the International Center for Studies in Creativity at SUNY Buffalo State where she instructed classes in creative-thinking and creative problem-solving.
Cyndi is the co-author of the books Infusing Creative Thinking into Higher Education, Weaving Creativity into Every Strand of Your Curriculum, 20 Lessons for Weaving Creativity into your Curriculum, and My Sandwich Is a Spaceship: Creative Thinking for Parents and Young Children.