Liking music can be simply a result of the right context.
For example, I’m no great fan of ABBA music. But after taking in eight fantastic performances of Mamma Mia in the last eleven days, I can honestly say that I like many of the songs – at least in the context of the show.
Similarly, I have over and over again seen students dislike pieces when first exposed to them, only to love them once they get to know them better. Sight reading is a terrible context for liking a piece, honestly.
My takeaway from this is to reserve judgment as long as possible, or at least contextualize it. I’m still no ABBA superfan, but there’s a good chance I’d say yes to watching the movie of Mamma Mia! and an even better chance I’d consider watching the Rockford production one more time. And there’s probably another artist whose music I’m not currently close to, but could become close in the right situation.
Encourage students to practice nonjudgement: it’s good practice for many things beyond music, and it will help them experience and love more music in the long run.